As a Swedish person, I've been baffled and saddened by the utter mediocrity verging on incompetency of the Hep Stars, who are still remembered as perhaps our greatest 60s pop/rock band. But in my experience very few people ever listen to them, for good reason.
Of course I understand the allure at the time of having such a band of our own, and one that would tour in Sweden in a way the British idols never could. But that is no excuse for pretending that their 'Cadillac' is anywhere near a good cut.
I have to admire your restraint in waiting until the third paragraph to name-drop Benny. (Although, on second thought, what could be more Starostinian than reviewing the debut record from the second-most famous Swedish rock act of the early '60s, just 'cuz?)
As a Swedish person, I've been baffled and saddened by the utter mediocrity verging on incompetency of the Hep Stars, who are still remembered as perhaps our greatest 60s pop/rock band. But in my experience very few people ever listen to them, for good reason.
Of course I understand the allure at the time of having such a band of our own, and one that would tour in Sweden in a way the British idols never could. But that is no excuse for pretending that their 'Cadillac' is anywhere near a good cut.
Still very glad that you're covering them!
I have to admire your restraint in waiting until the third paragraph to name-drop Benny. (Although, on second thought, what could be more Starostinian than reviewing the debut record from the second-most famous Swedish rock act of the early '60s, just 'cuz?)
Well, you know me - I do everything in my power to keep the reader disinterested for as long as possible!
Tages sure specced more into original songwriting, but was there ever anything particularly Swedish about them?