«EVIL WIGS AND BEDROOM MOMENTS» REVIEWS
Source: The Weblog Of Leonard's Lair
Painted Romans is a project led by Norwegian Mats Davidsen. Inspiration has come from his hometown, the seaside and Liverpool. Such differences in surroundings have been reflected in the bizarrely titled 'Evil Wigs And Bedroom Moments' where smooth synth pop, indie guitars and quivering vocals are each given equal billing on one of the most fascinatingly original albums I have heard in quite a while.
'Seaside Friends' features some delightfully cheesy keyboards and Davidsen's nasal but appealing vocals. The tune is undeniably different and even though Davidsen does conjure up influences on this and many other tracks, they draw from unexpected and unfashionable sources. 'A Life Of Chores' has a distinctly British sound which reminded me of early Prefab Sprout and 'Long Gone Before The Hurt' is arranged as superbly as a Montgolfier Brothers track. Elsewhere, the warm, atmospheric synths of The Blue Nile are gloriously recalled for 'Better Life', 'She Plays Rough' and 'Man'; Davidsen delivering an appealing croon for the first two and an oddly fragile but beguiling performance for the latter.
'Evil Wigs?' has a refreshingly original sound; the kind which can only be discovered from independent releases and these highly melodic, flab-free songs benefit from lush and imaginative productions. For me, this record is definitely one of the highlights of the year so far.
Reviewed by Jonathan Leonard
Kilde: Adressa
Vakkert bak tapetet (5/6)
Wallpaper Silhouettes var bra, dette er enda bedre.
Wallpaper Silhouettes fra Trondheim var på de fleste måter et roteband, men et sjarmerende og helt spesielt et. Etter mange års «nesten» ble de oppløst i 2006, og nå har gitarist og vokalist Mads Davidsen startet på ny frisk med prosjektet Painted Romans (med to andre eks-WS-medlemmer). Denne utgivelsen er i utgangspunktet ment som et nedlastingsalbum, der du får tilsendt covermateriale og bonuslåter dersom du kjøper «basisalbumet». En fin idé, som kler et potensielt kultprosjekt som dette særdeles bra. Davidsen og kompani står fortsatt trygt plantet i 80-tallsestetikken, men der WS var svart-hvitt og kjølig, er Painted Romans fargerikt og varmt. Denne utgivelsen nærmer seg mer en stemningsmalende og uendelig romantisk versjon av den alternative synthpopen. Man hører det banker et stort hjerte bak disse melodiene, som både imponerer og forundrer. Davidsen har denne elskelige blandingen av klossethet og eleganse både som låtskriver og vokalist, gjerne fra den ene frasen til den neste. Inderlig sunget, men en engelskuttale som slarker litt. Innfall på arrangementssiden som aldri lar seg forutsi.
I mine ører er han en genuin begavelse som låtskriver, og en av de ikke altfor mange i byen som faktisk har en tydelig og gjennomtenkt musikalsk personlighet, og ikke minst en besnærende annerledeshet ved alt han gjør. Så kan man saktens innvende at tanken til tider er enda bedre enn utførelsen, men der ligger også mye av nerven som gjør at du egentlig ikke vil ha det annerledes.
HØYDEPUNKT: «Long Gone the Hurt» og «We're Gin and Tonic Tonight»
Anmeldt av Vegard Enlid
Source: Adressa
Beautiful behind the wallpaper (5/6 stars)
Wallpaper Silhouettes was good, this is better.
Wallpaper Silhouettes from Trondheim was in most ways a whimsical band, yet a charming and very special one. After many years of "coming close" they split in 2006. Guitarist and singer Mats Davidsen then formed Painted Romans (with two ex-WS members). This (Evil Wigs) release is initially meant as a download-album only, with cover art and bonus tracks sent to you if you buy the «basic album». A fine idea that suits a potential cult project like this particularly well. Davidsen and Co. are still plantet deeply in the 80s aesthetics, but whereas WS was cold and bleak Painted Romans is warm and colourful. The album approaches an atmospheric and infinitely romantic version of the alternative synth pop. There's a great heart pounding behind these melodies, which both impress and surprise. Davidsen has this endearing combination of clumsiness and grace, both as a songwriter and vocalist, and often from one phrase to the next. Dearly sung, but with an English pronounciation that is at times slightly loose. Entries on the arrangement-side that always come unpredicted.
I hear him as a genuinely gifted songwriter, and as one of the few in Trondheim who actually carry a defined and thorough musical personality, and not least; a fascinating disparateness in everything he does. Certainly one can object that the idea is sometimes better than the performance, but therein lies much of the nerve that discourages you from wanting it to be any different.
Highlights: "Long Gone the Hurt" and "We're Gin and Tonic Tonight"
Reviewed by Vegard Enlid
Source: subba-cultcha.com
Bleak outlook makes way for a decent enough debut.
The ever intriguing remote parts of Scandinavia has that air of experimentation, freethinking and an all to often bleak feel to output which is no doubt cause and effect of long winters and lack of sunlight. 'Painted Romans' bring their slant on this very motif and get away with it with heads held high. Some slow burning delights here in 'A Safe Haven' and 'She Plays Rough' hold the highlights on the album and accordion work on the latter is as pleasing as it is unexpected. The gruff vocals of singer Mats D. are pleasing in their very uniqueness and solidly consistent lyricism is a tool he wields with great effect.
Possibly too left-field to make any real impression upon a modern music industry renowned for its safety in mediocrity 'Painted Romans' may remain within their cult status for a long time yet but for fans lucky enough to discover Norway's new hopes then word of mouth alone may find this group a new found fan base soon.
Reviewed by Joe Ward
Source: Even In The Future Nothing Works
They went far and beyond in regards to the packaging of this release. The CD comes with a very nice full color poster plus a nice photo. The sounds are very pleasant. The vocals remind me of a slightly upbeat Dave Gahan. This artist also reminds me of the up and coming Pop band from Seattle area named Poland. When speaking of Poland and Painted Romans they both have something very in common which is both bands are overly original and exciting to listen to. At times the vocals also recall Sondre Lerche which is quite interesting since both Sondre Lerche and Painted Romans both hail from Norway.
Reviewed by Series Two Records
Source: norskmusikk.org
Den nye vinen i Trondheim?
Painted Romans med Mats Davidsen i spissen har spennende ting på gang. Mats som tidligere var en del av Wallpaper Silhouettes satser nå energien på Painted Romans.
"evil wigs and bedroom moments" blir for meg et meget melankolsk album, det er rolige dype melodier. David sin vokal er meget uvanlig, den er en slags tung blanding av Jim Morrison møter David Bowie uten helt de samme høydepunktene/kraften som de har. Men heldigvis så synger David sine egne låter og det er stemmen skapt for. Lite lyst å fremheve noen enkelt låter egentlig når hele albumet flyter veldig vakkert sammen. Kunstnerisk helt enkelt.
Liker du litt tung jazzete melankolsk stemming så er dette albumet for deg. Perfekt for absint drikkende mennesker som sitter i ett mørkt lokale og filosoferer. ;-)
Anmeldt av Stein Roar Eriksen
Source: norskmusikk.org
The new wine in Trondheim?
Painted Romans, fronted by Mats Davidsen, are doing exciting things. These days Mats, who was previously a member of Wallpaper Silhouettes, are putting all of his energy into Painted Romans.
To me "evil wigs and bedroom moments" is a highly melancholic album with calm and profound melodies. Davidsen's vocals are most unusual, kind of a heavy mix between Jim Morrison and David Bowie without some of the highlights/force that they hold. Fortunately Davidsen is singing his own songs, which his voice is just made for. Don't want to elevate any songs in particular as the whole album blends very beautifully together. Simply artistic.
If you like slightly heavy, jazzy, melancholic atmospheres then this album is for you. Perfect for absinthe-drinking people sitting in a dark hall and philosophying.
Reviewed by Stein Roar Eriksen
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