Gustav Spetz - Good Night Mr. Spetz

Remember a couple of posts ago when I said that I used to really dig power pop but now I don't listen to it that much anymore? Well that post has given me the renewed hunger for a simple hook and a catchy melody that I once had on a regular basis. Sadly, Jason Falkner has obviously been ignoring my requests to release a new album every three months, so it's rather timely that I received a CD in the mail directly from Sweden by a man named Gustav Spetz. Saying that Gustav is a good place to start feeding that power pop hunger is an understatement. If Falkner is a steak dinner at Milestone's, than Gustav is a visit to The Keg. In other words, for those who enjoy Falkner and other like minded modern day pop songsmiths, I would highly recommend Gustav Spetz's nearly flawless upcoming release, entitled Good Night Mr. Spetz.

This album is a study in pop music 101. It's the kind of music that, in a perfect world, would be on everybody's iPod and number one on every Billboard chart. Just about any of its 11 songs would make a strong single; the instrumentation is tight, the harmonies are invigorating and the production is strong. It may sound like I'm gushing a bit (and I am) but music this instantly enjoyable doesn't come around all that often these days. The album opens with Golden Feathers, a song whose opening drums and guitar might lead you to believe that Gustav will be walking a road to stadium rock grandiosity, but then everything halts and the simple vocals and subtle piano work take a less conventional path to the aforementioned melodic pop territory. The song jumps back and forth between the two, to engaging effect. Every Word I Know would not be out of place on a Brian Wilson album, combining personal lyrical observations with subtle instrumentation, making the song sound both orchestral and radio friendly. Gustav grew up trained in classical music and playing the cello, and although he claims to have abandoned that vibe for a more accessible one, hints of his past still trickle through on songs like Drifting Away and Feel No Fear with their complex arrangements. Lava is an oddly intense dance number, and Restless is a punchy McCartney-esque tune. The two standouts for me though are also the ones that keep things relatively simple and to the point. The first of these is Burn It, Crush It, Smash It, a song that obviously stems from a point of frustration, but is executed in such an infectious and beautiful way. The second is You and Me, a simple upbeat love song that is the obvious choice for a first single, reminding me of Jellyfish's Baby's Coming Back, which is incidentally one of the greatest pop songs ever written, in my humble opinion.

Upon surfing the net for information, it becomes quite clear that Gustav Spetz is not, as of yet, anything close to being a household name. I feel privileged to be among the first to talk about him. If there's any justice in the world, I won't be the last.

The album Good Night Mr. Spetz will be officially released as an import on January 28th. It can be purchased over at Imperial Recordings. It's well worth it.

Photo by Jon Bergman
Myspace: Gustav Spetz
Download: I'm not authorized to include a download myself, but the song You And Me is available for free download at Absolut Noise.

Other stuff:

The new U2 song Get On Your Boots, is now available and being played all over the place. You can listen to it here. My initial verdict: meh. After a few more listens: mildly catchy but still mostly meh. I think I feel a rant coming on ... save it for another post. [Myspace: u2]

Alan Parker is working on a new film called Who Killed Nancy? which is a documentary designed to clear Sex Pistol Sid Vicious of the accusation that he killed Nancy Spungen. The article is in The Guardian UK. [Myspace: Sid Vicious]

Camera Obscura have left indie giants Merge Records for the even more indie giant-er 4AD. The article is in Pitchfork. [Myspace: Camera Obscura]

Black Diamond Bay have just finished recording their new album which will be called Calm Awaits and is set for release on March 31st. Many of the songs can be streamed on their myspace page. Black Diamond Bay play The Rivoli on February 12th.

And tomorrow is the Sneaky Dee's show that I was raving about, featuring Modern Boys Modern Girls, Amos The Transparent and Fox Jaws. Replacing Golden Hands Before God is a band called Afterparty whom I know very little about. Upon sampling their stuff on myspace, they sound very dancey, punky, and retro-ish. It's $5 and the doors are at 9pm.