The Legends have been a favorite of mine since I discovered their debut LP Up Against The Legends in 2004. Since then, I have worked diligently to piece together a library of their recorded workings. I am close to succeeding, though for the final 7″ I’ll probably have to fly to Sweden. Most recently, I purchased the There and Back Again single.
“There and Back Again” is the type of break-up song that will have you dancing with a smile on your face. The Legends have become the masters of low-fi garage/twee. Hand claps and a persistent string of tambourines are thrown in amidst distorted vocals and guitars. Each song is crafted so that with each listen a new aspect is brought forth–be it the barely audible backup vocals on the chorus or the punchy organ during the verses. The distortion in the earlier Legends work of frontman Johan Angergård (Club 8, Poprace, Acid House Kings) brings out the lo-fi and the garage sounds and takes a little getting-used-to, but after a few listens the underlying strength behind each song will become vividly apparent.
The There and Back Again single consists of three additional songs–all exclusives. The middle two follow the distorted early sound of the group while the final track represents somewhat of a transition song between the sound of Up Against the Legends and the group’s second LP, Public Radio, where Angergård leaves behind the band to record and produce the entire album himself. This song, “It’s Not Going to Happen,” has electronic drums and is less distorted, thus following a more trip-hop sound.
This review was originally published June 20, 2006 on the old version of FensePost.
Labrador [CDEP, 2003]
1. There & Back Again
2. Thanks For Nothing
3. Wish Me Gone
4. It’s Not Going To Happen
