KENT

In terms of sales and status, KENT is the Scandinavian U2. In terms of sound, they're U2-by-way-of-RADIOHEAD. Anthemic melancholia. Which gets them grouped with the likes of COLDPLAY, DOVES, and MUSE. Generally-speaking, I like them better than those three; not as much as U2; not nearly as much as Radiohead. But they certainly rate a Sunday showcase, and this is it....

From the LP ISOLA [English version], 1998 >>>
[MP3] "Things She Said"

From the LP HAGNESTA HILL [Swedish version], 1999 >>>
[MP3] "Revolt III"

From the 2-LP B-SIDOR 95-00, 2000 >>>
[MP3] "Spokstad"

From the LP VAPEN & AMMUNITION, 2002 >>>
[MP3] "Karleken Vantar"
[MP3] "FF"

From the LP DU & JAG DODEN, 2005 >>>
[MP3] "Max 500"
[MP3] "Du Ar Anga"
[MP3] "Palace & Main"

From the EP HJARTA & SMARTA, 2005 >>>
[MP3] "Ansgar & Evelyne"

From the LP TILLBAKA TILL SAMTIDEN, 2007 >>>
[MP3] "Ingenting"
[MP3] "Generation Ex"

KENT

A couple weeks ago, I started banging the drum for the then-upcoming release of KENT's TILLBAKA TILL SAMTIDEN. At the time, I'd only heard first single "Ingenting," which sounded sufficiently cool to be promising (even if it never quite found that extra gear that might have taken it someplace truly special).

Well, the album officially drops today, and it pains me to report that the whole thing's a bit of a disappointment. One reason for this may be that the new effort simply pales in comparison to most of the Swedish band's previous output. Another may be that it comes hard on the heels of the great Internet IN RAINBOWS rollout, which is relevant for the fact that Kent has -- rightly or wrongly -- often been spoken of in the same breath as RADIOHEAD. Just judging by TILLBAKA's by-the-numbers, programmed drum beats alone, Kent is destined to get the short end of that stick every time.

Far more direct and damning, though, is the fact that the band can't seem to work up energy enough to mount a memorable chorus this time around. By contrast, their 2005 album DU & JAG DODEN had energy to burn and catchy choruses to spare. One can only hope they discover the wonders of caffeine, cocaine, or Oxycontin before commencing work on their next opus. Whatever it takes to give them a kick in the ass. Whatever it takes to bring the magic back.

KENT on MySPACE.

[MP3] "Generation Ex"

[MP3] "Colombus"

KENT

To call KENT the Swedish U2 (or COLDPLAY) probably isn't fair to anyone, but I'm feeling tired and lazy and I'm just going to go ahead and call Kent the Swedish U2 (or Coldplay).

Kent's latest album, TILLBAKA TILL SAMTIDEN ("Back to Our Time"), will drop October 16. "Ingenting" is the first single and seems to want to make you dance. "Min Varld" is a b-side (for when you're done dancing).

KENT on MySPACE.

KENT in Scandinavia >>>

11/04 Helsinki Kultuuritalo (House of Culture)
11/16 Stockholm Annexet
11/17 Stockholm Annexet
11/23 Göteborg Lisebergshallen
11/28 Oslo Sentrumscenen
12/01 Trondheim Spectrum
12/06 Lund Olympen
12/08 Köpenhamn KB Hallen

[MP3] "Ingenting"

[MP3] "Min Varld"