TRICK021
KÅRE JOÃO Sideman
Psychedelic/rock/retro
Released 2002
KÅRE JOÃO Sideman
Psychedelic/rock/retro
Released 2002
Release info/Press release
About 18 months after leaving his previous band, the domestic "rock stars" Euroboys (Released by Virgin Records Internationally), Kåre João Pedersen releases his debut solo CD Sideman on Jester Records. The album reveals Kåre as having been an underrated asset in his earlier band, and launches him as a new and exciting composer, producer and artist.
Kåre has written, produced and arranged all the music on the album, and plays loads of instruments. The list of contributors is a veritable who's who of Norwegian underground rock, and Kåre has collaborated closely with these musicians, using their talents for developing his ideas. Anders Bortne of Whopper (Norwegian Grammy nominees in the Best Rock Album category) has written lyrics and sings on most of the tracks. Two other ex-Euroboys, Dag F. Gravem and Per Øydir play bass and organ respectively. Turbonegro's Chris Summers plays drums on Sunshine Blues. Rolf Yngve Uggen (Raldo Useless) of Gluecifer plays the guitar solo on Captain Trips. Christophorus Rygg of Ulver and Jester Records can also be heard on the album. Master mixer Marius Bodin Larsen has also made considerable creative efforts in deconstructing and reconstructing song parts into evocative, droning soundscapes. Check out the intro on Captain Trips and the coda on Dark of Heartness inspired by the book - and later movie Apocalypse Now! - with a somewhat similar name.
Kåre has described his music as "psychedelic blues". The lyrics have an air of surrealism, sometimes thrilling and sometimes frightening. The songs are often based on simple, repetitive riffs coupled with a catchy melody, like on the potential monster hit Frank Furius (sic).
Channel Five, where Kåre sings his own lyrics about apathy and monotony, is based on the most basic of all blues riffs, but gradually evolves into a veritable wall of sound, including another Euroboys ex-associate, Kasper Pedersen, on slide guitar, a jazz piano, backup singers and horns.
As a contrast, Sunshine Blues and Love Report are mellow, haunting and meditative pieces centring on the themes of love and loss. Anders Bortne's singing is wonderfully compelling. Dag F. Gravem's bass lines add dynamics, while Per Øydir's melancholy organ reinforces the moods of these songs.
Surprising details and droning sound experiments are important factors in the music of Kåre João Pedersen, just as they are in for instance the music of Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized. Kåre's drums and percussion playing also distinguish his music, check out the instrumental Mission to cure my Condition. Kåre's drumming evokes memories of Black Sabbath's Bill Ward and Can's Jaki Liebzeit. Black Sabbath has also had a general influence on Kåre's songwriting, as on Captain Trips.
Kåre João Pedersen's starting point as a solo artist can be defined as a vision shared with the Euroboys in their early days. Kåre's songwriting and arrangements is inspired by and borrows from large parts of rock and pop heritage plus film music, recontextualizing the various elements in a novel and contemporary manner. It would not be unreasonable to claim that Kåre continues a project that the current version of the Euroboys has abandoned. As a producer, Kåre has succeded in incorporating the musical qualities of his collaborators and in creating an exciting and soulful kick-ass album.
About 18 months after leaving his previous band, the domestic "rock stars" Euroboys (Released by Virgin Records Internationally), Kåre João Pedersen releases his debut solo CD Sideman on Jester Records. The album reveals Kåre as having been an underrated asset in his earlier band, and launches him as a new and exciting composer, producer and artist.
Kåre has written, produced and arranged all the music on the album, and plays loads of instruments. The list of contributors is a veritable who's who of Norwegian underground rock, and Kåre has collaborated closely with these musicians, using their talents for developing his ideas. Anders Bortne of Whopper (Norwegian Grammy nominees in the Best Rock Album category) has written lyrics and sings on most of the tracks. Two other ex-Euroboys, Dag F. Gravem and Per Øydir play bass and organ respectively. Turbonegro's Chris Summers plays drums on Sunshine Blues. Rolf Yngve Uggen (Raldo Useless) of Gluecifer plays the guitar solo on Captain Trips. Christophorus Rygg of Ulver and Jester Records can also be heard on the album. Master mixer Marius Bodin Larsen has also made considerable creative efforts in deconstructing and reconstructing song parts into evocative, droning soundscapes. Check out the intro on Captain Trips and the coda on Dark of Heartness inspired by the book - and later movie Apocalypse Now! - with a somewhat similar name.
Kåre has described his music as "psychedelic blues". The lyrics have an air of surrealism, sometimes thrilling and sometimes frightening. The songs are often based on simple, repetitive riffs coupled with a catchy melody, like on the potential monster hit Frank Furius (sic).
Channel Five, where Kåre sings his own lyrics about apathy and monotony, is based on the most basic of all blues riffs, but gradually evolves into a veritable wall of sound, including another Euroboys ex-associate, Kasper Pedersen, on slide guitar, a jazz piano, backup singers and horns.
As a contrast, Sunshine Blues and Love Report are mellow, haunting and meditative pieces centring on the themes of love and loss. Anders Bortne's singing is wonderfully compelling. Dag F. Gravem's bass lines add dynamics, while Per Øydir's melancholy organ reinforces the moods of these songs.
Surprising details and droning sound experiments are important factors in the music of Kåre João Pedersen, just as they are in for instance the music of Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized. Kåre's drums and percussion playing also distinguish his music, check out the instrumental Mission to cure my Condition. Kåre's drumming evokes memories of Black Sabbath's Bill Ward and Can's Jaki Liebzeit. Black Sabbath has also had a general influence on Kåre's songwriting, as on Captain Trips.
Kåre João Pedersen's starting point as a solo artist can be defined as a vision shared with the Euroboys in their early days. Kåre's songwriting and arrangements is inspired by and borrows from large parts of rock and pop heritage plus film music, recontextualizing the various elements in a novel and contemporary manner. It would not be unreasonable to claim that Kåre continues a project that the current version of the Euroboys has abandoned. As a producer, Kåre has succeded in incorporating the musical qualities of his collaborators and in creating an exciting and soulful kick-ass album.
Reviews
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Aquarius April 2002
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Brainwashed April 2002
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Dead Angel May 2002
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Delusions of Adequacy June 2002
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Music Critic October 2002
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Maelstrom March 2003