Has it really been nearly four and a half years? The first time I heard Montt Mardie. Winter 2005. The ‘High School Drama’ single. “Like Bronksi Beat on a mid-80s Grange Hill set” I said. And wasn’t it though?
So yes, four and half years later. A third album (Skaizerkite) just released, and what a treasure it is. Horns rush your heart in a surge of adrenalin. Synthetic possibly, but when they sound so delicious, well, who really cares. It’s Dexys does disco. Fingers click, guitars shiver, shimmy and shake. It’s Swedish Chic on a catwalk. Acoustic kisses drop from the heavens, spotlit by a voice cracking with delicate cutters. Its bleached Lomo snapshot chic. Strings (again, synthetic maybe and all the finer for it) scratch, sear and soar. Melodies that take off for the sun on a wink and a prayer. It’s ‘Like A Virgin’ glimpsed through Stockholm’s secret sugared Pop kaleidoscope. It’s Tough Alliance slipping a tongue to Friends Again in a frantic lost embrace. Haircut 100 sliding a hand into Britney’s jeans pocket. Yeah. Grab me a piece of that.
Have pre-ordered it straight away!
Posted by: Arthit | May 10, 2009 at 04:29
Hope you get it soon Arthit! I'm sure you will love it. Oh, and Montt tells me that the horns and the strings are all real :)
Posted by: alistair | May 16, 2009 at 11:51
Just received a copy this afternoon. It makes my Monday. Will listen to it tonight. Can't wait. xx
Posted by: Arthit | May 18, 2009 at 10:01
Pure joy! I hear glitters of Big Sound Authority/Floy Joy/"Shout To The Top"-era Style Council! A very truly modern Swedish pop record. I happened to personally know Nathaniel Perkins who wrote the liner note very well. I think his label put the best-of compilation of Monty in the UK last year. Not too sure if he will release Skaizer this year. You should check out another brilliant Swedish band called Napoloen too. Maybe you've already know them.
Posted by: Arthit | May 18, 2009 at 13:23
I think the UK 'best of' is due to be released this summer - Amazon says June 15th. I don't know Nathaniel, but always liked what he did with those early Lucky Soul singles on Ruffa Lane. Great sense of style. It seems fitting he's dealing with Montt Mardie now.
Posted by: alistair | May 19, 2009 at 09:07