Salute this.
To a British onlooker, the Norwegian music scene is most famously linked with the Death metal scene and all the controversy that surrounded it in the 1990s. Apart from that genre, anything else from the country has bypassed this reviewer so it was with some intrigue that the Beezewax album was listened to. With the band now on their fourth album, they've clearly shed their youthful endeavours and 'Who To Salute' has the trademarks of a band who have confidence in themselves and in the sound they are trying to create.
Beezewax at times sound incredibly like Teenage Fanclub, and the simple melodies and pleasant guitar chug have a familiar ring to them. The vocals on second track 'When You Stood Up' recall Gerry Love's melodic phrasing and from here on in, the influence of Bellshills' finest is very hard to shake off. This isn't a bad thing as very few acts do jingle jangle guitar pop better than The Fannies so if that's the sort of thing that floats your boat, this album is sure to be of interest. Over the course of the album it manages to maintain an interest and the chirpiness doesn't grate at all.
With 'I'm Not Where I'm Supposed To Be' containing the chiming guitar track associated with The Byrds, the striding guitar pop sound is all over this album and would indicate Beezewax are not innovators but have a healthy fascination with the commercial 60's offerings. Lead singer Kenneth Ishaks soft yet hopeful vocal delivery is upbeat and resonates warmly with the light guitar sound.
It's clearly an album for fans of the genre, it's not going to come out and be a mainstream marketing smash but it does deserve to be picked up and cherished and it's still a million miles better than what the Snow Patrols and Embraces of this world are tossing out.
There isn't too much variation on the album; it stretches from fast song to slower song but by and large, it pedals the big choruses rather well and gives the impression that the live shows would come across well. The communal and welcoming feel of the album leaves a pleasing glow and although it's slightly fluffy, there are enough hooks to warrant repeated plays.