John Alexander Ericson
Black Clockworks
Kalinkaland

John Alexander Ericson has crafted an intimate record that puts his voice and minimal songs at the center. He resembles a less rhythmic Jose Gonzalez and never more so than on the opening title song. There are also echoes of Coldplay's epic serenity.

"Radioactivity" is an unexpected cover of a Kraftwerk song, it works even if it's scaled down. "Radioactivity is in the air for you and me" sounds no less scary from a forlorn Swede than it does from a robotic German. A wheezing harmonica adds to the tension. The resplendent "Black Dog in the Fog" is barely there, just a hummed vocal and piano, but somehow it's very moving. "Sophia in another Country" has a weird hymnal beauty to it. The record is brief but surprisingly effective.

Copyright © 2006 Anna Maria Stjärnell