hello saferide: more modern short stories from hello saferide

It seems apt that this review should be written shortly following Barack Obama’s victory in the competition to be saviour of the world. A time where anticipation conflicts with desperation and worry, so Sweden has produced a record reflecting all this and more, with a conviction that, while retaining a sense of realism, dares to question: without hope, what is there? For anyone that already knows of the achievements behind Hello Saferide, aka Annika Norlin, such as the two Swedish Grammis for her little native language side project Säkert!, this triumph will come as no surprise, particularly when combined with the creative power of producer Andreas Mattsson (responsible for leading Scandinavian group, Popsicle – no, I haven’t heard of them either but they must be good if this is anything to go by).

It is also pleasing, at least to this writer, that the first single selected for release should be called ‘Anna’. “We could have had a daughter and we could have called her Anna,” Norlin states matter-of-factly over a great pop melody. Again, a malevolent mix of emotions play havoc with the listener’s conscience as sad lyrics about a perfect life that never came to be are recited like Kim Deal over the most uplifting and bouncy nod to Ben Folds, or a less fuzzy Weezer in their heyday. And while the single is a touchstone for what is really a great pop record, there are many different influences and styles which make this so much more: a real pop record.

Simple arrangements cradle you in times of solace, lifting you on their powerful promises that claim Kirsty MacColl and Wilco as their inspiration. And though such artists’ natural beauty is as good a comparison as any, Coldplay or Snow Patrol may also wish that they had been responsible for the anthemic ‘2008′, Regina Spektor for the sweetly textured and softer ‘Lund’, or even Patsy Cline on the slow teenage wist of ‘25 Days’, although I don’t think Sandra Dee would have used the words “You stupid fuck/ you need to come back”, as Norlin cries over the small backing choir.

Each song spins a wonderful yarn, trying to cram in as many words into each line, a great deal of thought and passion bursting with every breath. Indeed, there are so many highlights to More Modern Short Stories…, there are barely enough words to describe it either. Regardless, Hello Saferide speaks a language so human that, just going back to that saviour of the world thing again, one cannot help but feel she is singing for us all. Well, at least she is singing for me, particularly on closing song ‘Arjeplog’ during her impression of the wind through the trees. You need to hear that one for yourself.

[Razzia; September 23, 2008]

Written by: Anna Claxton

Tags: hello saferide, more modern short stories from hello saferide

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