Irene are an upfront and unpretentious pop band, so I’m going to skip the usual girlpants storytelling tomfoolery and just get to the meat of this here post. Despite their benign, midwestern American sounding name (makes me think of Colleen, but she’s totally different), they’re from Sweden. Like many of their countrypersons, they’ve mastered the art of simple jangly pop (I’m looking at you, Jens Lekman) with gratuitous handclaps and a second helping of acoustic jangle at no extra charge.
Their new album is called Apple Bay and it’s out in the USofA on Darla Records (on Labrador in the Sweden). It sounds like–well, let me paint you a picture here: the Magnetic Fields. But less gimmicky and more straightforward. And with maybe a touch of Stars and Belle & Sebastian. What, you want proof? Well, fine.
Irene — “To Be With You“
Irene — “Only You”
This is an album of seriously consistent quality. Every one of the 12 songs (clocking in under 25:00!) is a keeper, so if you dig those two you might as well go ahead and order the record from one of those links above.
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Mike
/ November 5, 2006yes lets save the tomfoolery for high art like Converge
Bryan O.
/ November 8, 2006Hey, Just wanted to say to you and mike. I would like to see more reviews of the classics like linkin park and possibly some Disturbed. Not that what you are doing isn’t good, I just think your ignoring some of the greats. hope all is well for you guys and i’ll see some of you soon for the great pumpkin’s rise out of the the pumpkin patch.(or maybe thanksgiving)