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12/06/08 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington DC
See Also
12/07/08 Bowery Ballroom NY 12/08/08 Great Scott! Boston, MA 12/10/08 La Sala Rossa w/ Crystal Stilts Montreal, Quebec 12/11/08 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON 12/12/08 Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan 12/13/08 Ribco Rock Island, Illinois 12/14/08 The Empty Bottle Chicago, IL 12/15/08 Summit Viking Columbus, OH 12/26/08 Pustervikbaren Göteborg, Västra Götalands län 12/10/09 Fritz Corner / Debaser Slussen Stockholm, Stockholms län |
After listening to Love is All’s sensational debut album, Nine Times that Same Song, I immediately looked forward to its follow-up. This was music I wanted to whip out quirky dance moves for—some awkward thrashing and lively kicking. It was scratchy, dirty, balls-to-the-wall and contagious. It’s been three years and I’m happy to say that the sophomore album, A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night, is anything but slumpy.
I’m a girl so let’s talk about feelings first. Josephine Olausson seems like the type of lady I’d like to share a beer with. Despite the band’s name, bitterness and loneliness are the prominent emotions of this album. Olausson squeaks and chirps in her noisy, adorable way about the sad truths of life and love with shiny little gems like: “Forget I ever mentioned my heart”, “In a taxi going home, way too early, on your own” and “Threw my money in a wishing well, but nothing got better, only slightly wet.” Yep, wrap that up in a sparkly, yippy, post-punk box, give it to your favorite unhappy gal pal this holiday season and watch her reaction. She’ll be sure to call Josephine immediately to say something like, “Oh honey, I know. These things keep all of us up at night. I’m exhausted too.”
You know the sparkly, yippy, post-punk box I mentioned? Yeah, that’s the sound. Continually inspiring that awkward thrashing, A Hundred Things features a much cleaner production than Nine Times, although it is still plenty dirty. The four men backing Olausson provide messy riffs and hot sax (SAX) that’ll make you swoon, bat your eyelashes and then throw something breakable against the door. This is the bi-polar excellence that Love is All is known for.
I’ve thanked Sweden before and I’ll do it again. Thanks, Sweden. You’re the best! Stay sweet, never change! Math was brutal, have an awesome summer! Keep in touch! (I’m done with that now.)
Love is All is currently touring the US. Get out and show some affection for a band that seems to need it. I’m guessing hugs would be welcome.
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