HBR001 The State of SamuelMutiny On Mercury CD
1. Forgotten algebra take off
2. I still love you (video)
3. Glue
4. Outside my window
5. Why
6. Khan
7. The fortune egg
8. On a sunny day (mp3)
9. One hour kilowatt commander
10. Tuesdays
11. Basel & the blows
12. So cold
13. Trip wires
14. Cause of chemistry
15. Monster recovery
16. Log on the fire
17. The soul committee
Similar artists: Guided By Voices, Benji Cossa, Pezband, The Nerves, Speedmarket Avenue, Pavement
"This inaugural Humblebee release somehow flew under our radar a few months back (during my marker-sniff! ing bender), but a fresh copy, fresh air and a fresh listen reveals a wonderful, modest pop record. The comely Swede delivers a stripped-down batch of acoustic gems that betray a ’60s pop sensibility. But it’s Samuel’s soaring, quirky vocals (reminiscent of Wayne Coyne or Sean Lennon with an endearing amount of warble) that really give these songs heart. There’s a campfire singsonginess and rough-around-the-edges feel that adds further charm to an already charming album." -Vue Weekly
"Another one who sounds like he's singing with a clothes peg on his nose is The State of Samuel. Although he's from Sweden, this could easily be on the old Elephant 6 roster. Its lo-fi twee fun pop just like Apples In Stereo or The Minders. Some of the songs here are just fantastic slabs of exhubarant guitar pop melodies." -Norman Records
"This is the first real full length cd from Sam (his other cd, "Swedish Metal Aid" on Escalator, was actually just a compilation of some songs from his several self-released cassettes), and it's both his best-sounding and best quality batch of songs yet! These are highly melodic acoustic tunes (often with other backing instruments, ranging from casio to bass to all sorts of percussion), with Sam's animated (and usually double-tracked) vocals on top. Imagine Mathlete or Benji Cossa playing the Beach Boys, and you'll be pretty close. The songs are usually quite short: only three of 'em break the two minute mark, and the whole 17 track album clocks in at under 25½ minutes. With instantly loveable hits like "I Still Love You", "Why", "On A Sunny Day" and "Trip Wires", it makes me glad to know that Sam is such a prolific songwriter!" -IndiePages
"With happy handclaps, prominent "ba ba ba's" and boyish falsetto charm, The State of Samuel made the Shmat a happy camper from day one of listening to this new album. From his homebase of Stockholm, Sweden, Samuel crosses great continents of hook-encrusted power pop with oceans of Beach Boys inspired harmonies. He's never self-conscious or righteous in his use of the powerful tools of his trade and each song is imbued with a sense of both humour and dignity." -Shmat
"The guy sings like he needs his adenoids removed, and coupled with the fact that his vocals are double-tracked, this release makes it necessary to listen in measured doses. Fortunately, most of the songs on this record are under two-minutes and trust me, they are slanted, loveable, schizophrenic song-scraps of the most simple and endearing variety. And Samuel is from Sweden! Pair geeky boyish "ba-da-ba-ba-bas" with simple, yet aggressive pop guitar hooks, tambourine, choruses about "on a sun sunshiney day"and short short short track-lengths, and you've got the aural equivalent of eating candy-coated popcorn. Samuel can feel like a much much much more inventive and much less annoying Apples in Stereo, using his Beatles tools to more nuanced effect. A sitar is a nice surprise on the 22-second long "One hour kilowatt commander," as is the golden mellow tones of a trumpet line in "The soul committee." Somes ongs such as "So cold" and "Tripwires" combine a nod to all the best parts of late 80s/early 90s songwriting in the vein of Pavement and The Pixies. The shortest songs on this release, are by far the best, such as "Monster recovery," with its strange, mottled, tinny home-made vocals. Personally, I think most musical projects could learn a lesson from Samuel from Sweden -- keep it short n' sweet. It leaves you wanting more." -indiepop.com
