ADOLPHSON & FALK
454
ALBUM POOL SOUNDS RELEASE: OCTOBER 25, 1999 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 15, 1999


Sometimes fragments of lyrics from a song you heard long ago return to you, as if they've been waiting to pop up in this particular situation all the time. Adolphson & Falk write that kind of lyrics. One of those fragments recurrently turn up in my mind when I'm on a train or an aeroplane: "jag reser inte till nånting, jag reser ifrån" (“it's not that I'm travelling anywhere, I'm travelling from something”). 
This contemplative mood is central to the now legendary band, that released a couple of beautiful and very successful records in the eighties and disbanded in 1990. Their discerning trait was their use of synthesizers in combination with quite traditional music, which was a modern approach at the time.
Hearing "454", you don't give the electronic ingredients much thought. In a time when Madonna works with William Orbit, the album sounds acoustic for all it's programming, and your attention is drawn to the thoughtful lyrics and glimmering melodies. This is a worthy comeback and a tasteful approach to the fact that Adolphson & Falk are two gentlemen in their fifties.
I'm struck by how timeless and universal the music sounds. I honestly think everybody from small kids to people Bob Dylan’s age could appreciate the tunes found here for their simple honesty and general loveliness.
To be honest, the record is nice to the point of inducing sleep. There is nothing disturbing about it whatsoever, which makes it more suitable for some occasions than others. It's probably the perfect Christmas record to induce the right peaceful atmosphere and calm in overstressed and overworked people. Think Simon & Garfunkel with a touch of Swedish sentimentality.

MATTIAS HUSS