I just received a copy of the newest release, Bad Habits by Swedish band The Wife. This recording is far from what most would term a blues recording but it is quite an interesting recording. The band consists of Natalie Johansson (vocal and harmonica), Kristoffer Johansson (guitars), Marcus Blomqvist (Double bass), Kristofer Fredriksson (drums, harmonica), Rebecca Fransson (violin) and Viktor Bergmann (piano). This is a very beautifully composed recording, primarily acoustic and voice. Natalie Johansson has a haunting voice with for simplicity sake say blends the subtlety of Hope Sandoval and the texture of Neil Young. All 14 tracks are penned by Johansson except The Train which is composed by Natalie and Kristoffer Johansson. This music is sonically soothing but the lyrics are deep, serious and thought provoking. (Lyrics of The Wife)
You wrapped me up two surprices,
one in every hand
But I never got to pick wich one
you spoke for me insted
Now where's the moral in you actions
Where.s the ethics in you hand
You v´cannot hush the silence
or wake the wife you killed
I just left the building
going huntin up my own free will
I won't live my life in that
shallow box you build
Friends call it luck
that I do not get cruised around no more
And speaking of that,
the ship you sailed just sank beside my shore
The captain didn't make it
He was playin em' ol tricks again
You'll never reach the bottom you'll keep
sinkin and sinkin my friend
You won't find any screaming guitar solo's on this release, nor will you find the voice of Son House, but if you like quiet poetic music and interesting vocals... this may be the best I've heard in a long time.
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