Landgren/Wollny/Danielsson/Haffner: 4 Wheel Drive
Author: Robert Shore
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Wolfgang Haffner (d) |
Magazine Review Date: |
April/2019 |
Media Format: |
CD |
Catalogue Number: |
ACT 9875-2 |
RecordDate: |
9-11 October 2018 |
This is a project with a commendably clear conceptual title that smartly underlines the equal directional input by all members of this starry little foursome. Everyone gets to drive this supercharged vehicle, often at the same time. (Are we taking road safety seriously, fellas?) But could the title also be taken to refer to the quartet of songwriting influences who provide most of the basic musical material here: Paul McCartney, Sting, Billy Joel and Phil Collins? Are they not also the four drivers of the recording? Landgren and co were obviously not attempting to up their cool factor by selecting compositions by these artists (extremely talented as the composers all are, of course; no offence intended). Looking at the track-listing – ‘Lady Madonna’, ‘She’s Always A Woman’, ‘That’s All’ – you might assume that this particular 4-wheel drive has chosen to steer a course steadily down the middle of the road. (Also not good in terms of road safety, lads.) Not the kind of thing one normally likes at all. And then you find yourself guiltily humming along to Collins’ ‘Another Day In Paradise’ and getting really caught up in the propulsive inventiveness of Sting’s ‘If You Love Somebody Set Them Free’. But you forgive yourself when you realise that the tracks you like best are probably opener ‘Polygon’, a Wollny original, and the closer, ‘4WD’, written by Danielsson and avowedly inspired by ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ – ergo Kurt Cobain. Much cooler. No need to be ashamed about enjoying it, after all.
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