Independent (label)
15 March 2016 (released)
18 May 2016
The Swedish group creates a collection of West Coast stompers and slow burns with the help of some veteran California players.
Band leader, Christian Smedström assembled the 2120's in Gothenberg in 2008. Along with giving “his blood, sweat and tears in dive bars around the world”, Christian and his band have found themselves featured in many prominent movies and shows (Sons of Anarchy, CSI Miami, Shameless). In 2015, they took to the studio in Berlin, Atlanta, Gothenberg and Los Angeles to create this year’s Moments.
The album kicks off with the paradoxically sunny ‘Where the Sun Don’t Shine’. A piece of retro dark surf plucked out of the early sixties or for those after a slightly more modern reference, something from a late night driving scene in Pulp Fiction. The slap of palm muted spring reverb takes you right back to the old milkshake shop. Those listening to ‘Where the Sun Don’t Shine’ may notice it has the bounce of a Black Keys stomper. The two groups are clearly students of the same era.
‘What Else is New’ is a sly, slinky number. A persistent bass throb keeps this catchy tune coasting along. Joel Lundberg’s deft organ is danced over by cool evening bongos and guitar echoes. ‘In to the Light’ washes in smoothly to follow it up. Swaying pedal steel and a mischievous bass line make this deeper cut stand out.
Moments has a great flow. Two or three song chains of slow burners build up to a thumping rocker and then sinking back in to the steady groove. At the risk of wearing out the driving metaphor, I have to say, it feels like rolling through warm California cities at night. The dark, desert hills are painted by dim neon spots in the distance. To make up time you lay on the gas and dive in to the blue and pink. You stop to fill up, grab a bite at the diner. The old jukebox is playing a tune you haven’t heard in twenty years, the locals take a brief pause from their beers to give you a once over. “What’s this punk doing in town? What’s he up to?”. The waitress drops off a greasy burger and shoots you a smirk. On the way out as you toss down a pile of crumpled green bills, you shoot her the same smirk and shove open the sticking door. Back on the road, you have many more stops like this before you get where you’re going.
It’s no wonder the 2120's have been featured on so many television programs. Their sound instantly attaches you to a specific feeling. Moments is a great rock n roll roadhouse record. Proof once again that one doesn’t have to be born and bred in the sunshine state to get the California feel.
