Turbonegro--Scandinavian Leather
Epitaph/Burning Heart 2003
Turbonegro have crafted some of the greatest music ever made, over the course of their existence. That said, their breakup at the end of the Apocalypse Dudes-era was devastating for Turbojugend worldwide. Thank darkness our heroes, the denim demons from Oslo, have reformed to deliver the amazing Scandinavian Leather. Like their previous few efforts, this album is total perfection--regardless of what some might lead you to believe.
With Scandinavian Leather, Turbonegro have made the wise decision of not deviating much from the sound and style of their flawless Apocalypse Dudes album. That's not to say there hasn't been any stylistic shift, though. On the contrary, Scandinavian Leather sees Turbonegro incorporating more diverse instrumentation in spots (including strings, flute, and synth), as well as implementing a fatter production quality. Instead of sapping the balls out of everything, these new elements only serve to bolster the band's already bigger than life sound. The results are everything you'd hope for and much, much more.
From a songwriting standpoint, there has been a (very) slight shift, as well. Where many of the riffs on Apocalypse Dudes tended to be lifed almost verbatim from the first three W.A.S.P. albums, Scandinavian Leather has a bit more of a KISS slant to it, mixed with Turbonegro's always present Ramones-isms. There are actually a couple songs here that possess a classic rock feel like nothing the band has ever done. The most notable example of this is "Wipe It 'Til It Bleeds." When the opening riff kicks in, something feels very familiar, then you realize you're waiting for Ian Gillan to start howling "my woman from toe-kay-ohhhh," but it never comes because this is Turbonegro you're listening to. In the middle of the song, things slow down for a bridge section in which all the instuments level down a bit, making way for a swell of strings that cultivates a vibe similar to that of Alice Cooper's "School's Out." As in the past, Turbonegro wear these influences without making their songs sound cheaply derivative. Track after track, there is no doubt that you are listening to music which is important, vital, and...well, basically better than everything else out there--from the majestic "Sell Your Body (To The Night)," to the grandiose "Fuck The World (F.T.W.)," right through to the pouty sonic ass-whipping of "I Want Everything." As has become a trend with this band, there isn't a flaw to be found--from beginning to end.
As great as Scandinavian Leather is, there actually seems to have been a bit of backlash towards Turbonegro for this release, in some circles. Well, rest assured, all that's unfounded. The only thing all that stupidity means is Turbonegro should've called this album "The Great Poseur Barometer," as that's what it has become, in a sense. There is little doubt that if this had been released via virtually any other label besides Epitaph, all the pretenders out there would have their heads so far up Scandinavian Leather's proverbial ass, it would be sickening. Anyway, all you really need to know is that Scandinavian Leather is the rock n' roll album of 2003, bar none. Darkness, and Turbonegro, reign supreme--the end.
NOTE: Scandinavian Leather was also issued in a limited edition leather digipak which includes a bonus DVD showing Turbonegro both live and in the studio during the making of this album. It is truly worth the extra effort and expense to seek this version out.
Get more info on this CD directly from BUNRING HEART
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