Matinée records have been hyperactive on the release-front lately, and it’s been both a very pleasant and a tough experience to digest four new albums in one go from the quality-label. I’ve been looking forward to these releases, – all of them from bands I have really enjoyed previous records from, – and some from bands I may even be willing to call myself a fan of.

I’ve listened and enjoyed, and here are my comments on two of the four new releases from the label. Today, I’ll give you Bubblegum Lemonade and Would Be Goods, and soon I will give you some thoughts on The Lucksmiths and The Guild League.

Bubblegum Lemonade – Doubleplusgood

“Doubleplusgood” is the title of the debut album from Bubblegum Lemonade, an album that follows up two brilliant ep’s from this one-man band. I have loved Bubblegum Lemonade’s ep’s, with their 60s influenced style and perfect, jangly melodies, so I have been looking forward to this debut. He has kept much of his songwriting techniques and his sound from the eps, – maybe a little bit warmer than we know him from the shorter formats? “Doubleplusgood” is an album filled with many great songs, but I’m still not completely convinced that it is a great album. Good, but not “doubleplusgood”. I think it is mainly the format that doesn’t fit the project. The EPs have been perfect, and every song has been given the right space to really shine, – to stand on their own. On the album, my attention is constantly drawn to the similarities between the songs, the similarities in the sound. Especially the guitars have little variation in sound and playing, and seen as a whole, it gets a bit boring. On their own, songs like “Tired of sleeping”, “My dreams of you”, “Tyler” and “Last weekend” are really good pop songs, – really, really good ones. But as a whole? I’m not convinced. Give us more EPs, Laz!

[rating: 3/5]

Bubblegum Lemonade – I’ll never be yours
Bubblegum Lemonade – Pale Fountain

Would-Be-Goods – Eventyr

20 years after their debut “The Camera Loves Me”, Would-Be-Goods have released their 5th album, and their 3rd on Matinée Recordings.  “Eventyr” is the title, inspired by the Danish fairy tale writer HC Andersen, both in the title itself and in the lyrics of several songs. “Eventyr” means “fairy tale” in Danish/Norwegian, and for me as a Norwegian, the title was quite surprising and amusing. So, how do I like the album? It’s another good one from Would-be-goods. “Eventyr” is filled with wonderful, bittersweet, warm and intelligent pop songs, with lyrics that may be looked upon as small fairy tales on their own. The vocals of Jessica Griffin are just as beautiful as before and her pronunciation is just as precise. The songs are great throughout the album, with “Heart of Tin” as my definite favourite, and “In bohemia”, “Venusberg”, “Temporary Best Friend” and “Enemies of Promise” coming close. This is a must-have, and so are all the other Would-Be-Goods albums. Buy now!

[rating: 4/5]

Would-Be-Goods – The Ghost of Mr. Minton