REVIEW: This Perfect Day, C 60 (550/Sony)
- Bill Holmes
Swedish pop strikes again! For their US major label debut (they've been together since '87), the pop fivesome have punched up the ringing guitar factor to more blatantly trumpet their musical ancestors from the 1960's. But unlike another current band using the same formula (rhymes with "no aces"), TPD don't take themselves so seriously in the process. They just...rock.
"Could Have Been Friends", the opening cut, starts out like a bad INXS song, heavy on the techno beat, but then the band blasts in to wash that taste out of your ear with a big fat hook. From that point on the listener is treated to nothing but melodic songs, great harmony vocals and lots of up-front guitar. The production is huge - almost pompous in some spots - as if the band wanted to make sure you knew you were listening to a rock band playing pop songs. Horns accentuate the catchy "Down On My Knees' and "So Naive", and although nothing quite nails the "perfect pop song" plateau that "Can't You See" (from their self-titles release) does, there are many that come damned close, especially "Dreamers In A Dream" with its ringing guitars and irresistible chorus. Two songs break the pace - the Smiths-like "Hello" and the countrified "Bryant Lake Bowler", both mid tempo but still featuring gorgeous vocals.
Lyrically, TPD ranges from the hilarious to the curious. "In Two Weeks You Will Be Forgotten" is an absolute rave-up that takes a slam at the flavor of the month industry they are a part of, and it's as funny as it is raucous. "Break My Arm" chips in with lines like "it's the clothes you wear/and everything about you/the sun reflects in your eyes/it wouldn't glow without you...". But then there are two songs - back to back, no less - called "Dolphin" and "Fishtank". Whatever...
The fact that American radio will have a hard time slotting excellent pop among Puff Ripoff and the yodeling divas of the moment should surprise no one. So it's up to you to make the extra effort to seek this one out and be rewarded.
