Liechtenstein
(Slumberland)
After two decades the Slumberland label continues to impress. The label, started in the Maryland bedroom of Black Tambourine member Mike Schulman, has released stellar records by indie pop artists like Stereolab, Rocketship, Aislers Set and too many others. The label is still going strong, a fact proven by this trio of women from Gothenburg, Sweden who offer up 9 songs that scoot by in less than 25 minutes.
Renee, Naemi and Elin first appeared with a 7" in 2007 and then another one last year so this is their debut full-length and the 9 cuts on here slip between moody, loopy, bass-heavy tunes with eerie vocals that sound like an early 80's Rough Trade band ("All at Once", "White Dress" ) and other more sugary tunes with cooing harmonies and fuzzy guitars that bring to mind The Shop Assistants and Tallulah Gosh ("Postcard", "By Staying Here (We Will Slowly Disappear)", "Roses in the Park", "Reflections", etc.) while other songs that bring to mind defunct Washington DC quarter Autoclave, defy categorization ("Sophistication, etc.). Survival Strategies in a Modern World is no "let's ape our influences" session though, Liechtenstein add a unique and fresh twist to the proceedings so it doesn't sound derivative but more like 3 women who want to join the ranks of those that came before them and I must say, they do a damn good job of it.
Standout Tracks: "All at Once", "Roses in the Park", "Reflections" TIM HINELY
