Colonia

"A Camp" is a collaborative effort between two Swedish musicians: pop star and former figure skater Nina Persson, of The Cardigans fame, and Niclas Frisk, (guitarist and composer), an outdoorsman and explorer who had himself enjoyed pop stardom with his Swedish pop eccentrics Atomic Swing.
Their first LP, the eponymous "A Camp" in 2001, was awarded four Swedish Grammies and met with much critical praise abroad and Stateside.
Its follow-up, "Colonia", was recorded last year in New York - where she lives and performs with Brechtian political cabaret outfit The Citizens Band - with help from Persson's husband (soundtrack composer, formerly of influential US alternative mavericks Shudder To Think) Nathan Larson, drummer Kevin March, Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman), Swedish singer-songwriter Nikolai Dunger and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha.
Over the years, the music and lyrics Persson has produced have grown increasingly ambitious and intellectually bold, slowly revealing a talent of quirky originality and genuine substance. "I am still the Lovefool girl", she insists.
"Colonia" is an absolute gem of smart, melodious, provocative pop Americana, and Nina eases through this collection of a dozen darkly luscious songs.
If anything, it's a better effort than their charming debut, packed full of lovely melodies, a dreamy style, clever lyrics and wondrous vocals.
The bold, elegant opening track, "The Crowning", is a gaudy, sarcastic farewell to an unnamed former world leader. It is quite a departure from the band's intimate, country inflected debut.
The guitar loops that herald the arrival of "Stronger Than Jesus", meanwhile, are melodic, folksy and classic American... with Persson hinting at the style of Sheryl Crowe vocally
"We wanted it to be more of everything," says Persson. "A little more restless, less introvert and more irritated. Grumpiness can be quite charming. It's more funthan being someone really smart and clever and politically correct", she says.
"Colonia" is a seductive album about big themes, "an exploration of colonialism, as the title implies", according to Nina's husband, Larson, and the world's cultural surrender to America.
"The music is romantic but lyric-wise we wanted to take away the romantic fog and just look at human instincts", says Frisk.
If anything, it's a better effort than their charming debut, packed full of lovely melodies, a dreamy style, clever lyrics and wondrous vocals.
And Nina eases brilliantly through this collection of a dozen darkly luscious songs.
My highlights: "Stronger Than Jesus", "Love Has Left The Room", " My America", "The Weed Got Here First", "Stronger Than Jesus" and, back to the swinging '60s mode, the upbeat "Here Are Many Wild Animals".
Warmly recommended.
A Camp
To Survive

A Camp has really hit it--lilting and beautiful melodies, dark and sophisticated lyrics. This is not to be missed! I find the songs running over and over in my mind and each time I listen it takes on new meanings and depth.

Different from their first album but equally as good. Nina Persson's voice has really matured. Not only are the melodies great, the lyrics are meaningful. I got a chance to see them live at the Crocodile in Seattle, a small intimate venue. They are so good live - even my husband, whom I dragged there, was impressed.

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