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Apr 04, 2011 Issue #35 - Winter 2011 - Death Cab for Cutie By Laura Studarus

Acid House Kings’ fifth album, Music Sounds Better With You, may be the Swedish trio’s Annie Hall. On the surface, it’s a sweet pop album punctuated with handclaps, horns, and coed choruses. Underneath though, is a pervasively maudlin worldview that allows singer/multi-instrumentalist Niklas Angergård to croon such lines as, “I know I’ve held my hope so high/I almost forget we’re all gonna die,” without ever once approaching schlock. A salty-sweet concoction, the contrast brings out the best in both. A bit louder and bolder than previous efforts, for every Alvy Singer-esque downer (“You say I’m terribly kind/I say kind of terrible”) there’s an upbeat counterpoint, thanks to multi-instrumentalist Johan Angergård’s inspiringly economical compositions. “Under Water” rocks more than any song in AHK history, vocalist Julia Lannerheim holding her own against a double-time chorus and a sea of percussive guitars. “(I’m in) a Chorus Line” may be set in the uninspiring business world, but it quickly blossoms into a near-perfect stage-musical number. Capped off with a playful duet, “Heaven Knows I Miss Him,” Music Sounds Better With You is a rare, heartfelt reflection, embracing the duel natures of life and love with such charming ease, even Woody Allen would have to smile. (www.facebook.com/acidhousekings)

Author rating: 8/10