Title: Jul På Techno 2009 - 9 Swedish Christmas Anthems
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Minimal Techno, Electronica
Release Date: 1st December 2009
Label: Clubstream Mix (Substream)
Album Review
According to Swedish label Clubstream, this compilation features nine minimal techno and electronica tracks from Sweden’s most popular and electronic artists. As you might expect, the album isn’t addressed for lovers of nostalgic Christmas carols or modern rock versions of them but for those who want to celebrate the season beyond or in parallel with traditional rites. Though Sweden is well-known for its electronic music scene, I was quite astonished to receive a promo package like this as I have always had the romantic idea of snow-covered Scandinavian villages and a picture-perfect Christmas Eve including all the traditional stuff. Therefore, it seems like that I have to correct this obviously typically German view.
Admittedly, I don’t know any contributing artists and I usually prefer other musical styles - not the best conditions regarding an enthusiastic review. Nevertheless, I tried my best to listen to the long-player which is available on online stores such as itunes and Beatport - with unprejudiced ears. Actually, the opening instrumental track `Very Christmasy´ has not that much to do with a Christmas or Christmas-related song with the exception of some sample lines. It is introduced by a pulsating electronica melody that leads over to a piano part with the aforementioned samples. SOPHIE RIMHEDEN´s `Xmas Time´ comes up with Lolita-like speech singing in the verses and a sweet refrain accompanied by creaking synth sounds. Actually, `People of Peace´ is able to radiate some festive mood due to a mid-tempo beat that is garnished with sounds that reminded me of sleigh bells. True to the motto `Christmas Hells, Sorry Bells´, the fourth track is like breaking traditions by spending the 24th of December at a Caribbean beach.
However, monotonous vocals and a pumping beat are an appropriate alternative for everyone who enjoys himself at urban clubs. `Jag Sag Tomten Kyssa Naven´ sounds like a constant sample of a 1970´s glam rock guitar intro, whilst EMMON´s `Night Bells Calling´, my favourite track from the album, is trance- or dream dance-like material with an anthemic synth melody that really made me think of a nightly sleigh ride. `Your Retro Puffs´ is pretty experimental and minimalistic and coming up with a weird soundscape and interspersed echo-like vocals. `Good Night Malin´ contributed by OMBUDSMAN contains a sweet musical box melody that is underlined by typical minimal techno rhythms. `Christmas in Utopia´ begins with acoustic guitar sounds that are joined by synths and distorted vocals similar to the voice of a robot.
Considering the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of minimal sounds, the compilation wasn’t able to warm my heart. However, I can imagine that club-goers and fans of sounds like these will be pleased by this compilation.
Tracklist
01. DJplaneten - Very Christmasy [5:51]
02. Sophie Rimheden - Xmas Time [4:40]
03. Salkinitzor - People of Peace [4:40]
04. Inkfish ft. Klas Buller - Christmas Hells, Sorry Bells [6:66]
05. Vaerelsen - Jag Sag Tomten Kyssa Naven [3:55]
06. Emmon - Night Bells Calling [4:43]
07. Tomas Andersson - Your Retro Puffs [4:13]
08. Ombudsman - Good Night Malin (Håkan Ludvigson Remix) [4:52]
09. Håkan Lidbo - Christmas in Utopia [6:25]
Website
http://www.clubstream.se/
Cover-Picture
Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 7 / 10
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