Outshine Until We are Dead
by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer
Suave, sharp, yet disarmingly authentic – this is how singer Erlend Jegstad, the focal point of this Swedish quartet, establishes himself from the word go on the band’s sophomore effort. This focus on the vocals will continue for the rest of the album, with Jegstad’s oscillations between imitations of the great rock voices and his own inimitable husky snarl expertly manipulated to create a sound at once familiar and inimitable.
Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Billy Idol are all emulated by Jegstad with off-hand precision, but this protean mimicry isn’t what makes this record truly great. Rather it’s the nonchalant demonstrative cool with which he exposes his references and the way the band manage to come up with a message of their own despite mining their legacy so heavily.
It may be a finely wrought, meticulously constructed image that Outshine present here, but Jegstad’s tightrope act treading the line between self-control and all-out emotional meltdown is more inspired than pre-planned. The way he never quite lets it go, but makes you think he is about to, adds the necessary complexity to make simple indie riffs and minimalist melodies sound utterly unique despite being occasionally so conventional.
Tracks like “Fortune” make you wonder how such pedestrian earth-bound tune could still take you outside of the immediate reality, but it’s all down to the art of understatement which Jegstad is such a genius at exploring while he balances between vulnerability and bravado, still managing to leave room for restraint even in his most exposed, soul-bearing moments.
Outshine could have been an amazing metal band if they chose to – the anger, the spirit, and the guts are all there, but somehow they choose a more cerebral way to express their longings and obsessions. Each track on this release is just another glimpse into their character, just another feature of Jegstad’s temperament, but ultimately the very essence of what drives this band remains unknowable – there is a longing that doesn’t fully become revealed, making this album a uniquely rewarding, thought-provoking record to get into.
Band:
Jimmy Norberg, guitar
Erlend Jegstad, vocals
Fredrik Kretz, drums
Per Stenbeck, bass
Track Listing:
1. One for the Nerves
2. Love for the Music
3. Wisconsin H.G.
4. Ain’t Life Grand?
5. Fortune
6. Viva Shevegas
7. Riot
8. Until I’m Dead
9. I’m So Sorry
10. Save Me
Label: Dead Tree Music
Online: www.myspace.com/theoutshine
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10