Sara Berg - When I Was A Young Child I Used To Feel Pleasure From Playing With Others
Sara Berg, Stockholm based singer songwriter, is about to release her debut album here in the UK 'When I Was a Young Child I Used To Feel Pleasure From Playing with Others', but the question is, can British audiences accept this Scandinavian music?
This concept album, which explores paths of failure and triumph, may not be of the norm, but that is just one of the fascinating aspects audiences may take a while to get used to. The lyrics from the album are some of the most meaningful Sara Berg has ever written. 'I Had to Trace' is stated as the most private song ever written by this young Swedish artist, while the down tempo 'Crawl Back from Under' tells the story of a man who refuses to give up, it's quite catchy with the chimes. The repetitive lyrics "You are not alone" in 'Not alone' is like listening to that song back in the 1990s by Olive.
Sara's vocals throughout the entirety of the album are consistent, and at times have a classical style. In 'Young Child' the vocals sounds a little masculine for the repetitive first few lines. But once you reach 'This Can't Be Desire', they become much more creative and have an edge, while experimenting with pitch and tempo. The heavenly melodies mixed with emotional yet electronic music, some of which is quite dramatic others a little more poppy, are beautiful, specifically the floating melodies of 'I Had to Trace'. Unfortunately it is from this point on the album fails to entertain.
'Last Time my Anger' has some impressive harmonica, bass and keys combinations, which may be slightly odd but very effective. 'Out of My League' has some strange metal detector noises, which is a good idea for the start of a song, but when it goes on for over a minute, it gets tiresome. The excellent pinning of guitars in 'Call Me from Below' offers a pop feel, whereas the chimes at the end of the closing track 'Closer to Home' will give a listener a sense of appreciation for the album, but also grateful it has come to an end.
If this is what Scandinavian music is becoming, then I think us Brits may need to tune in our ears. It seems like a very well written album, put together quite nicely, but could be considered a snooze fest in some areas. Music is meant me be something you can feel throughout your body whilst listening to it. With the tracks on 'When I Was A Young Child I Used To Feel Pleasure From Playing with Others' no matter how loud you turn them up, the tracks are low, unexcitable and offer no feelings what so ever.