Otto Niklasson Elmerås “Mono”
Otto is a Swedish multi-instrumentalist with a truly gifted talent for melody and his debut album Mono is full of 60’s inspired tunes that sound like a cross between Donovan, Nick Drake, and The Zombies. So, it’s no accident that Otto’s cover photo is a direct homage to Beatles ’65. The first song is the somber “It’s Over,” a hushed dirge with strings like “Elenore Rigby.” But the atmospherics aren’t always enough. Thankfully Otto can dazzle with subtle melodic twists like “My Weak Spot,” with its goose-bump inducing chorus or go full bore Beatlesque with “Wrong Side Of The Road.”
Otto also gives us a haunted waltz with “Lalala” and the memorable ballad “I Know I’ll Never Get It Right” that builds up with a very McCartney-like bass line. Additional highlights include the bouncy “It’s About Time” and the harpsichord ballad “Somehow They Lie.” For all these impressive songs, the album tone remains mostly downbeat. But if you are a fan of the retro-pop goodness, look no further.
Goodfellows “Ten Bites”
Spain’s Goodfellows came together in 1995 and through lineup changes and five albums, they have stood the test of time. With addictive melodies and strong guitar riffs, they are lead by Tomás Forns and David Cladera on guitars, Pepo Granero on bass, Miquel Gibert on drums, and Biel Palmer added as vocalist. With almost all the songs in English and no visible accent, it’s very accessible to American power pop fans.
The quick angular riffs on “My Kind Of Girlfriend” make it a great “lost hit” that you thought The Rubinoos did back in the day. I was most impressed by the Teenage Fanclub-like “Nada Que Objetar” and “She Was” with its melodic jangle and harmonies. “Good For Me” is another winner that recalls late-era Raspberries. While the album’s second-half struggles to maintain momentum, it still contains excellent music that deserves to be heard. And as with most Goodfellows LPs, the CD packaging (designed like a mini pizza box) is also an inventive collectible.
