Francobollo - 'Harpholma'
Sweden's Francobollo kick off their debut 'Harpholmo' with sedate sing-a-long 'Future Lover' that has Simon Nilsson's falsetto/post grunge inflected vocals set to furry guitar riffs and catchy lead melodies that come together in a resounding finale.
'Good Times' follows and swiftly administers a thoroughbred dose of post-grunge that sees Nilsson's laid-back tonally lacking vocals harp on about 'Good Times' that are hard to take seriously unless his idea of a good time is moping about getting stoned in a dingy bedsit. That being said this track is attractive as it captures the essence of the everyday search to have a good time and the all too familiar failure to do so; all put to an aurally apt soundtrack that neatly captures the pessimism and boredom of the protagonist.
'I found A Bike Today' continues to draw inspiration from the theme of mundane, everyday life with the finding and subsequent loss of a bike refreshingly replacing the age-old sentiment of love won and lost. The lyrics to the track are delivered in the usual manner accompanied by chopped, distorted guitar and well calculated, stomping percussion that culminate in a whirling maelstrom of harmonics and crashing cymbals. This is definitely the EP's most intelligent track, both lyrically and instrumentally. So good is it in fact that the video that accompanies it stars Four Lions' Adeel Akhtar who is also due to star in Sacha Baron-Cohen's new film, "The Dictator".
'I Hope Not' shows Francobollo drinking from a significantly different creative font altogether as the stoner guitar rock of the previous tracks is given an injection of energy that sees the beat quicken and become lighter and more high hat centric. Add to this some speedy lead guitar licks played over more light-hearted rhythm guitar distortion and fuzzed up vocal harmonies and you have a smash and grab track that shows greater depths to Francobollo's creativity.
'Pretty Colours' is another light hearted track that plays off Pink Floyd's classic 'Wish You Were Here' and though simple both lyrically and instrumentally it does manage to get the feet tapping, but that's about it to be honest.
In that last statement lies the general conclusion reached on hearing this debut EP from Francobollo. It is fun and straightforward and is technically sound, however it won't have you shouting about it in your Facebook status or scouring Youtube, and it most definitely won't have you keen to part with your hard-earned money either.