Kamera - Resurrection

Nettwerk Music Group

The first thing that sticks its head out on Kamera's debut album, Resurrection, is the revivalist production sound. Bjorn Öqvist's heavy handed 80's synthpop production doesn't do the band any favors. Next time, if there is one, this 5 piece should seek out someone who could roughen up their material a bit. The band is signed to the same label as Coldplay, Nettwerk Records, in the states so the suits there probably have the pop charts in their sights. It's a shame because they aren't really ready for the heights their label expect them to reach.

Kamera have already been releasing music in their native Sweden for the past few years but US fans will probably lump them in with other new wave revisionists like The Bravery. While this might not be entirely fair, tracks like "Borderline" and "TV Lights" with their heavily keyboard laced hooks don't help the matter. Sure, moments like the dance floor ready "Fragile" would probably work well in a club setting but on your home speakers they'll just fade into background noise. Don't get me wrong, the band know how to craft their songs well enough but mere competence isn't enough this time around. For the Kamera to have any shot at longevity these Swedes will have to look past their influences next time around.

Carlos Ramirez