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Product description Cardigans - Life - CD .co.uk Statistics are a baffling thing. They tell us that Sweden enjoys Europe's highest standard of living and its highest suicide rate. Statistics also tell us that The Cardigans are the country's most successful musical export since Abba. This actually makes perfect sense, for the quintet's music is an uncannily accurate microcosm of the country that spawned it--deliciously breezy pop melodies lent just enough bite by Nina Persson's fatalistic vocals. It's a recipe they perfected with unnerving confidence on Life, which exhibits an instinctive familiarity with the pantheon of timeless pop. Burt Bacharach's shadow looms unmistakably over the pensive autumnal strains of "Celia Inside" and "Tomorrow", whilst fragrant indie-pop nuggets such as "Rise And Shine" and "Gordon's Gardenparty" suggest that guitarist/songwriter Peter Svensson spent more than the occasional evening learning his craft from old Smiths records. It is, of course, impossible to discuss intuitive 90s female-fronted pop acts without mentioning Saint Etienne. The appreciation, in this case, is mutual; so impressed were the Etienne with the airy pristine sound of Life, that they were inspired to record 1997's Good Humor in the same Malmo studios. --Peter Paphides
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Review The second album by the Swedish pop/rock mavericks may have begun life as an in-joke, but it was the definitive statement that launched them as a truly international force as well. Here was an album that demonstrated that not only did they have the multi-faceted writing skills to put them in the charts, but also they had the studio smarts to back the songs up as well.Formed by two heavy metal fans, Peter Svensson and Magnus Svengingsson, the band had already caught the attention of the European market with their debut, Emmerdale. Two things made them stand out: The singing by non-professional Nina Persson and the music theory and jazz background of Svensson. This allowed them to be one of the first truly 'ironic' pop acts that could turn out saccharine, sunshiney hits that still had enough intelligence to appeal to a broader audience.By 1994 they'd toured the world and really gelled. Life was to be their most optimistic-sounding effort, filled to the brim with gems like "Hey! Get Out Of My Way" and "Daddy's Car" (they were always great at song titles). The former and "Carnival" were to be their entry points into the lower reaches of the UK charts. Major smash single territory was to wait until the follow-up's "Lovefool", but Life was a platinum-seller on its own merits. What's more, as a cheeky nod to their founders' pasts they even managed to include a popped-up version of Sabbath's "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". Talk about dextrous.The world's press of course then had the band tagged as popticians and nothing more. Subsequent, darker albums like Super Extra Gravity and Long Gone before Daylight would prove them to be far deeper than that. But Life remains a pop gem. --Dennis O'DellFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window See more
Reviews
4.7
All from verified purchases
D**K
Classic
Another great remastered album by the cardigans, 1 of the best albums they made.
S**L
Great sound
Stomping good CD for fans of the swedish pop band.
S**S
Five Stars
took me back a few years!!
R**S
Lovely Cardigans album
With 8 'fresh' tracks to the ears of UK fans and 5 songs previously featured on the Swedish debut release 'Emmerdale', 'Life' represents a really lovely collection of mostly catchy pop songs including minor hits such as 'Carnival', 'Sick And Tired' and 'Rise And Shine'. In addition, there are plenty of other little gems such as 'Daddy's Car', 'Beautiful One', 'Travelling With Charley', 'Celia Inside' and the beautifully laid back strains of 'After All...'. Definitely worth investing here if you love superbly delivered mid-1990s pop music.
J**S
Five Stars
Excellent item.
M**Y
Goes well with sun & Pimms!
Great album. Garden parties, sun & Pimms!
A**R
Terrific vinyl reissue
Great to have the original studio album track listing restored on this vinyl reissue (another reviewer has criticised it for this, without reading the product description or perhaps knowing the background about the original UK release being effectively a compilation). The sound is superb on this vinyl remaster of a terrific album; the artwork is crisp, and the gatefold a nice touch.
M**H
Classic
In my opinion this is their best album! Better than their, later, more rock-orientated material. Superbly crafted jazzy pop!
H**Y
I LOVE THIS ALBUM
THE CARDIGANS ARE AMAZING 💖
A**O
Uno de los mejores discos de la banda
Todo un clásico de la música noventera. Hubo problemas con el envío pero de cualquier forma recomiendo el disco.
V**O
Un disco fatto bene
Prima che i Cardigans intraprendessero posizioni musicali più dure.Disco molto bello, orecchiabile e allegro.
After getting this months ago and listening to it for the first time I must admit I haven't heard any CDs like this. So there's a thumbs up. About half of the songs are excellent here. Honestly, the songs are (mostly) pretty good but I feel there were only a couple of songs that hit you as hard as "Lovefool" hits you on their "First Band On The Moon" CD. From what I recall I don't actually hate any of the songs. Well maybe one...sorta. "Hey Get Out Of My Way" is super repetitive and although I haven't listened to it in a while all I can remember is that idiotic chorus. But that's just one blemish out of 13 (I don't know what version you bought, some have different tracks).Let's get this out of the way; my favorite song is probably the most depressing number on the album, "After All...". One close listen to the song and its lyrics will leave you floored. It hits too hard but made for a beautiful tune. Other songs that I adore are the chipper "Carnival", the single "Sick And Tired", the slow "Beautiful One", the fantastic "Travelling With Charlie" and the happy "Fine" with its wondrously offbeat guitar work.This album is pretty campy (at its poppiest anyway) but if you like upbeat pop with a vocalist who sings with a sugary sweet tone (think Mandy Moore or the late Aaliyah) then by all means get this. It's more than solid. There is a lot of pop and rock coming through my speakers when I listen to this. And like some others have said there are touches of jazz here and there. Lots of keyboards, drums and guitars throughout which I loved. Those are my 3 favorite instruments (well I prefer pianos but you get the drift, lol!).4.5 stars.P.S. "First Band On The Moon" is the superior disc IMO. I have every song rated at "5" on iTunes with that album except one which is still a solid "4" (that track is "Heartbreaker" for those that care). Can't say the same for this disc although it's very good too. Guess it just comes down to personal preference. "FBOTM" is a lot sadder/bleak-sounding album and this one (overall) is more chipper.
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The second album by the Swedish pop/rock mavericks may have begun life as an in-joke, but it was the definitive statement that launched them as a truly international force as well. Here was an album that demonstrated that not only did they have the multi-faceted writing skills to put them in the charts, but also they had the studio smarts to back the songs up as well.
Formed by two heavy metal fans, Peter Svensson and Magnus Svengingsson, the band had already caught the attention of the European market with their debut, Emmerdale. Two things made them stand out: The singing by non-professional Nina Persson and the music theory and jazz background of Svensson. This allowed them to be one of the first truly 'ironic' pop acts that could turn out saccharine, sunshiney hits that still had enough intelligence to appeal to a broader audience.
By 1994 they'd toured the world and really gelled. Life was to be their most optimistic-sounding effort, filled to the brim with gems like \"Hey! Get Out Of My Way\" and \"Daddy's Car\" (they were always great at song titles). The former and \"Carnival\" were to be their entry points into the lower reaches of the UK charts. Major smash single territory was to wait until the follow-up's \"Lovefool\", but Life was a platinum-seller on its own merits. What's more, as a cheeky nod to their founders' pasts they even managed to include a popped-up version of Sabbath's \"Sabbath Bloody Sabbath\". Talk about dextrous.
The world's press of course then had the band tagged as popticians and nothing more. Subsequent, darker albums like Super Extra Gravity and Long Gone before Daylight would prove them to be far deeper than that. But Life remains a pop gem. --Dennis O'Dell
","image":["https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81PMwleOasL.jpg","https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bsKwC7O1L.jpg"],"offers":{"@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"EUR","price":"36.42","itemCondition":"https://schema.org/NewCondition","availability":"https://schema.org/InStock","shippingDetails":{"deliveryTime":{"@type":"ShippingDeliveryTime","minValue":4,"maxValue":4,"unitCode":"d"}}},"category":"internationalmusic","review":[{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"D***K"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 February 2019","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Classic\n \n","reviewBody":"Another great remastered album by the cardigans, 1 of the best albums they made."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"S***L"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2018","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Great sound\n \n","reviewBody":"Stomping good CD for fans of the swedish pop band."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"S***S"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2016","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Five Stars\n \n","reviewBody":"took me back a few years!!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"4.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"R***S"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2017","name":"4.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Lovely Cardigans album\n \n","reviewBody":"With 8 'fresh' tracks to the ears of UK fans and 5 songs previously featured on the Swedish debut release 'Emmerdale', 'Life' represents a really lovely collection of mostly catchy pop songs including minor hits such as 'Carnival', 'Sick And Tired' and 'Rise And Shine'. In addition, there are plenty of other little gems such as 'Daddy's Car', 'Beautiful One', 'Travelling With Charley', 'Celia Inside' and the beautifully laid back strains of 'After All...'. Definitely worth investing here if you love superbly delivered mid-1990s pop music."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"J***S"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2016","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Five Stars\n \n","reviewBody":"Excellent item."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"M***Y"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2015","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Goes well with sun & Pimms!\n \n","reviewBody":"Great album. Garden parties, sun & Pimms!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"A***R"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2019","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Terrific vinyl reissue\n \n","reviewBody":"Great to have the original studio album track listing restored on this vinyl reissue (another reviewer has criticised it for this, without reading the product description or perhaps knowing the background about the original UK release being effectively a compilation). The sound is superb on this vinyl remaster of a terrific album; the artwork is crisp, and the gatefold a nice touch."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"M***H"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 November 2004","name":"5.0 out of 5 stars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Classic\n \n","reviewBody":"In my opinion this is their best album! Better than their, later, more rock-orientated material. Superbly crafted jazzy pop!"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"H***Y"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in Canada on 5 February 2024","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n I LOVE THIS ALBUM\n \n","reviewBody":"THE CARDIGANS ARE AMAZING 💖"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"A***O"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in Mexico on 27 October 2023","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n Uno de los mejores discos de la banda\n \n \n","reviewBody":"Todo un clásico de la música noventera. Hubo problemas con el envío pero de cualquier forma recomiendo el disco."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"V***O"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in Italy on 27 January 2023","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n Un disco fatto bene\n \n \n","reviewBody":"Prima che i Cardigans intraprendessero posizioni musicali più dure.Disco molto bello, orecchiabile e allegro."},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"R***R"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in Japan on 1 September 2019","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n まつもと的なやられ方。\n \n \n","reviewBody":"一曲目、\"Carnival\"のイントロで、ニーナの咳払いが入ります。ネットでここを収録してくれてるのがなく、でもどうしてもここにこそ心惹かれ、仕方なしに購入。Poor me!!でも良かったです。\"Love fool\" は入ってなくってOh, shit! 残念でした。まっちゃんの（ダウンタウン）のマイク微調整的やられ方。"},{"@type":"Review","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"5.0"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"A***R"},"datePublished":"Reviewed in the United States on 6 June 2013","name":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Interesting sound.\n \n","reviewBody":"After getting this months ago and listening to it for the first time I must admit I haven't heard any CDs like this. So there's a thumbs up. About half of the songs are excellent here. Honestly, the songs are (mostly) pretty good but I feel there were only a couple of songs that hit you as hard as \"Lovefool\" hits you on their \"First Band On The Moon\" CD. From what I recall I don't actually hate any of the songs. Well maybe one...sorta. \"Hey Get Out Of My Way\" is super repetitive and although I haven't listened to it in a while all I can remember is that idiotic chorus. But that's just one blemish out of 13 (I don't know what version you bought, some have different tracks).Let's get this out of the way; my favorite song is probably the most depressing number on the album, \"After All...\". One close listen to the song and its lyrics will leave you floored. It hits too hard but made for a beautiful tune. Other songs that I adore are the chipper \"Carnival\", the single \"Sick And Tired\", the slow \"Beautiful One\", the fantastic \"Travelling With Charlie\" and the happy \"Fine\" with its wondrously offbeat guitar work.This album is pretty campy (at its poppiest anyway) but if you like upbeat pop with a vocalist who sings with a sugary sweet tone (think Mandy Moore or the late Aaliyah) then by all means get this. It's more than solid. There is a lot of pop and rock coming through my speakers when I listen to this. And like some others have said there are touches of jazz here and there. Lots of keyboards, drums and guitars throughout which I loved. Those are my 3 favorite instruments (well I prefer pianos but you get the drift, lol!).4.5 stars.P.S. \"First Band On The Moon\" is the superior disc IMO. I have every song rated at \"5\" on iTunes with that album except one which is still a solid \"4\" (that track is \"Heartbreaker\" for those that care). Can't say the same for this disc although it's very good too. Guess it just comes down to personal preference. \"FBOTM\" is a lot sadder/bleak-sounding album and this one (overall) is more chipper."}],"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.923076923076923,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":13}}
