I Was A King – s/t – Hype City Records [Speed Round #5]

I Was A King – “Norman Bleik” MP3/Download

In a desperate attempt to thin out my GINORMOUS-FUCKING PILE of releases from 2009 I’ve yet to review, I’m bringing back my “Speed Round” column. So here we go, time to knock another one back — in this case I Was A King‘s eponymous 2009 album (listen to a song down below) — and officially move on to 2010.

I Was A King are from Norway. Check.

I Was A King are derivative. Check.

I Was A King can carry a tune. Check.

I Was A King collaborated with Sufjan Stevens for this album. Check.

I Was A King up the ante when it comes to leaning on several seemingly disparate influences: Check.

I Was A King lean on the right influences (Lilys, Scottish pop, Robyn Hitchcock, MBV, kitchen-sink indie-rock): Check.

I Was A King sound pretty precious at times. Check.

Well, looks like we’ve got a band that definitely, if nothing else, have break-out — and we’re not talking acne — potential written all over them in neon-pink letters. But does the material do anything to arouse emotion in the listener?

Benni Hemm Hemm Frode Stromstead and Anne Lise Frokedal ain’t; while it’s interesting to try and pick the touchstones out of the recipe like shrimp from a plate of noodles, it all adds up to an Annuals-style let-down: A lot of talent, a lot of potential, a lot of instruments/influences but NO SONGS. None at all.

And those violins in the middle of “Breathe”? What the fuck are they doing there? Sucky. I think these guys could work through this and be the Under Byen of their genre (or lack of one), but … it’s up to them I guess, innit?