(ALBUM/ MUSIC FOR NATIONS)
At least fellow Norwegian band Kings of Convenience have a decent, wholly pronounceable name. But then this originally rocking quartet aren�t like those twee Kings. No, no� these guys are most definitely a rock band, though the majority of this album (which is their third) hears them in slow-paced introspective moods, wrangling with relationship themes revolving around love.
Fronted by Sivert Hoyem, a little blue-tit tells me that they�ve already had #1 albums and hit singles elsewhere in Europe, as if to blatantly suggest us Brits have been tragically slow to cotton on to their talents. Ok, hands up � we clearly have.
Madrugada (careful with the spelling) deliver variety in the pacing of their tracks, with the raw guitars of �Ready� jubilantly buoyant � imagine The Rolling Stones meeting Primal Scream on a dark night. �I Don�t Fit� and �Majesty,� meanwhile, hear Sivert hypothetically mimicking the vocal approach that both Tom Waits and Ed Harcourt emotively do� the epic vibe being compellingly slow, their idea of rock music coolly edging into �Country� territory without being forced.
�Blood Shot Adult Commitment,� that casually opens the LP, and the upbeat �Lucy One� are as cool as the music gets � and you�ve just got to hope that our fine nation as a music-loving whole really does catch on to these guys' music, because fourth time around these guys might not be so lucky with the quality of tunes they release. 4 / 5
(Steve Rudd)
Release Date: January 19th 2004.
www.madrugada.net