If there were awards for difficult records, Sweden’s Surrounded would win hands down. Their latest opus, ‘Safety In Numbers’ is out now on Deep Elm and is the hardest record I’ve ever had to review. Infact I’ve had this record for two months and deliberately put off writing a review because I don’t know what to write. Think equal parts genius and pretentious guff and you’re halfway there.
Surrounded, a five-piece, took almost a year to record ‘Safety In Numbers’ and it’s not hard to see why. The level of musicianship is unbelievably high, with such a warm and big feel to the production. But it’s incredibly hard to listen to, so much so that hearing the record all the way through is a major feat in itself. From the lush opening of ‘Linear Elevator’ to the soothing finale of ‘Neglectrine’, Surrounded will take you on a musical journey. Whether it’s one you will enjoy, or want to go on again, is up for debate. For me, this gets 5 stars for vision, originality and performance – but in terms of being an enjoyable listen…well…I just can’t hack it.
Marten Rydell has one of the most distinctive voices you will ever hear, half-hushed, half-spoken word, and on songs like ‘Diesel Palace’ it works brilliantly. The soft, soothing undertones give a flagging genre a lift in its originality and talent, but it’s not a record I can listen to – but as background music, or something to relax to in the bath, this is perfect. ‘On Top Of The World’ is more accessible than some of the songs, more upbeat and positive in tempo and this makes for a refreshing change, but then tracks like ‘Blood Orange Wheels’ frustrate, despite being utterly majestic.
You will either love or hate Surrounded, I doubt there’s a middle ground. They’re not really my cup of tea at all and I won’t be checking out their older material, but at the same time you have to applaud such a carefully crafted record that is as original as any I have come across this year. Brave and brilliant, yet equally frustrating, this is one for the artyer music fan.
www.surrounded.se
Paul