SPACE AGE BABY JANE THE ELECTRIC LOVE PARADE ALBUM SUPERSTUDIO BLÅ, SONY RELEASE: AUGUST 28, 2002 REVIEW: AUGUST 30, 2002

The press release for Space Age Baby Jane's second album "The Electric Love Parade" is made by Swedish writer Per Hagman. Jumping to conclusions, I immediately assumed this to be some unbearably pretentious project, hard on the ears, but hailed in artistic and fashionable circles as innovative. I was wrong.
As it turns out, Space Age Baby Jane is no longer a band. Left is Anders Ljung, guitarist, song writer, vocalist and transmitter of bare emotion. With the help of, obviously talented, programmer and keyboardist Claes Björklund, Anders has found an inspiring environment for his songs.
Tracks one through six are of the kind that absolutely stunns me. Built on a "Violator" era Depeche Mode-ish electro beat, "Grace under Pressure" lifted my spirits, grabbed a hold of my heart and annoyed the neighbors all at once. It's a perfect example of the neutral and most functional way to easily blend guitars and synths.
"Crazy Diamonds" reminds me of Swedish pop duo Big Money, the single "No One Here Gets out Alive" is another fantastic hi-tech electronic pop anthem through thin shades of rock. The emotionally charged "Barcelona" is all I could ever ask for from a ballad and I agree with Hagman's comment in the press release about it being a power ballad, but in its most neutral form. "My Sweetest Fallen Angel" is more reminiscent of seventies glam rock than timeless pop magic, but it's a natural ingredient on "The Electric Love Parade", given Ljung's rock background.
Mostly, rough synthpop is a more fitting description of the sound. The album is the most unexpected positive surprise this year, and keep in mind I haven't even mentioned my favourite track off it. You'll have to guess which that one is.

NIKLAS FORSBERG