BRISKEBY JEANS FOR ONASSIS ALBUM MERCURY, UNIVERSAL RELEASE: AUTUMN, 2000 (NORWAY), MARCH 26, 2001 (GERMANY), APRIL 23, 2001 (SWEDEN), VARIOUS DATES DURING SPRING, 2001 (OTHER TERRITORIES) REVIEW: MAY 8, 2001

Briskeby is the current big bang in Norway. They came from nowhere and in a short time, they have sold over 100 000 copies of their debut album. Or what about four Norwegian Grammies for best pop group, newcomer, song and artist of 2000? It was not long ago vocalist Lise Karlsnes was a nobody at a gas station. It's the classic pop star story all over again.
Backed by the world's largest record company, it's now high time for Lise and her three male band mates to go worldwide. I doubt that will be a problem. They are enough alternative and cool to speak to that particular crowd, yet so accessible they can reach the masses.
"Jeans for Onassis" is one of those albums who sends shivers down my spine. It's actually one of the best debut pop albums I've heard. It's not because Briskeby is original. On the other hand, they use classic pop ingredients to cook something like a "best of". "Best of" my kind of pop, that is. The use good clichés in a smart way and make them work to their advantage. In fact, Briskeby is full of life and fresh power. It's obvious they want the whole world to hear what they think good pop is about.
Similarities can of course be found in Garbage and The Cardigans. Roots in all sorts of retro quality pop and rock, especially eighties new romantic and new wave. And it's probably safe to say they have listened to Kent once or twice.
As you have realised by now, Briskeby master everything excellently, so I don't need to bore you with all the details. Let's just mention their endless stream of melodies, the killer choruses, the sensual vocals, the excellently balanced production with lots of healthy indie-wibes, or the necessary sexy attitude. They deliver lines like "let's imitate life like a TV star" in a stunning way. I'm knocked by the the tempo switches, breaks, twitches and turns. And the romantic, beautiful atmosphere and Scandinavian melancholy.
Briskeby has immediately succeeded with every true pop band's goal. To write the perfect pop song. And not once, but at least a handful of times. I'm talking about that rare kind, that takes the shortest route between your ears and your heart. That overwhelms your entire body and soul like some otherworldly drug. The one you can't resist.

MIKAEL KAHRLE