Today marks the beginning of the Christmas special. For anyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas or doesn't like Christmas music, here are two facts that hopefully will allay your fears somewhat (or at least make the special easier to get through): 1.) it probably won't last more than a week, and 2.) I'm going to try to keep to good poppy songs that stand up on their own merits. Today's song may break that rule a little bit, but if you can't get away with complete cheese at Christmas, when can you? (I realize that's a dangerous principle to follow that's led to the release of countless novelty songs...)Magnus Carlsson has been a member of two relatively popular music groups. He was the lead singer for Swedish boy band Barbados, went solo for long enough to release a Christmas album, then joined already existing group Alcazar. With Alcazar on a "break" but Magnus very unlikely to return to it, he's embarked on a solo career again. He competed in this year's Melodifestivalen and will be in it again this coming year. He released his self-titled non-holiday debut album earlier this year but surprisingly also decided to release a holiday at the end of last month.
Wrap Myself In Paper--the album's lead single; it was #7 in the charts last I checked. It doesn't really have anything on what I've heard from Magnus Carlsson, but it is sort of fun in an incredibly cheesy way. The first 30 seconds are more of an intro than anything, and don't really represent the song, which is happy and poppy (and maybe sort of assembly line). Much as in what I've heard of "Lev Livet," there's a lot of female backing vocals used. It's got a bit of a retro feel to it, too.
To buy Magnus Carlsson's second holiday album, Spår I Snön, go here (physical).
Next up: we'll return to Magnus and a different album at the end of the special. For now, though, we might go to someone else who also used to be a member of a band but is now solo.
7 comments:
Alcazar's first album was pretty good, and actually got released here in the U.S. How many did they put out after that one?
I love Magnuse's first christmas album! Its so camp. As for his normal Solo ep...I love it too. Very schlager! PG, your going through a Swedish moment aint ya?! Expect loads of Swedish girlbands on DSTP v.v.very soon.
J'ason, they released one more original album after Casino, Alcazarized. Then they followed that up with Dancefloor Deluxe, which was basically a greatest hits, some hidden songs, and remixes. I think there's a not-officially-released concert recording of them doing ABBA songs, too. I don't have all the songs off of Alcazarized yet, but from what I've heard and from what others have said, it seems pretty good.
Robpop, I am definitely going through a Swedish phase at the moment! ;) There's so much to catch up on though...I'll definitely be looking for those girl bands! My music collection doesn't have enough Swedes or girl bands in it! I really liked Magnus's first Christmas album, too--definitely camp, but fun. I think I may be getting his non-holiday album soon--I liked the second single off of it and "Discodare" that you put on your site, and the live performances I've heard of "Lev Livet."
This is cute. It starts off slow, but once the disco chorus kicks in, it's all great. Magnus is such a loveable poof.
It is--I'm not really sure what's going on with that beginning, but it's a little too smile-inspiring to argue with once you get to the chorus. I'll second the vote on Magnus...though I'd love some more solo stuff from the other ex-Alcazar folks!
I imagine the beginning could have an interesting treatment in a video. It's old-skool glamour, so I could see Magnus, top hat and tails, and cane, doing a little dance, all in black and white, which bursts into poptastic colour and dancing for the chorus.
That idea is too brilliant. Really! I don't think there's a video for it on YouTube yet--do you think they could commission you to make it?
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