TWICE A MAN CLOUDS ALBUM YELLOW RELEASE: JANUARY 25, 2008 REVIEW: JANUARY 23, 2008

After the postcard from India that was ”Agricultural Beauty”, the last album from Gothenburg's Twice a Man released in 2002, they now return to a more classic electronic sound on ”Clouds”. This is their first album in many years without a set theme; instead the band simply describes it as ”a journey through strange and beautiful landscapes”. And I must say that I’m impressed. This is a perfect connection between calm ambient and cold electronic and it seems that the band is more vital than ever.

The songs appears to evolve and perhaps this is due to the absence of a fixed theme; but it constantly surprises me how they seem to fit in every moment. Sure, I’ve seen this material being performed at a theatre for experimental art but also at an old school rock stage and it works just as well. New member Johnny Friberg has added a lot to the drum programming and the band has taken help from Karin My Andersson to add some female backing vocals. Together with the impressive experience from founding members Dan Söderquist and Gasleben I feel that once again Twice a Man has rebooted and returned stronger than before.

Unfortunately, the album is just a little bit too long, there are one or two tracks that don’t quite keep up the standard. If you are new to Twice a Man, I actually think that this would out fine as a first introduction, and it’s a safe buy if you like ambient and dreamy electronics.

TOBIAS ELIASSON