Thomas Denver Jonsson & The September Sunrise “Hope to Her” (Kite, 2003) Available: Now

Trailing rave reviews in its wake, including four stars from Uncut, along comes Thomas Denver Jonssons debut album.  And the plaudits are well-deserved.  Undoubtedly the one of the best things to come out of Sweden since, well, since forever really, the album is a little gem. Without wishing in any way to cast aspersions on that fine nation and its inhabitants, one of the great things about this album is that it doesn’t sound as though it’s come from Sweden, but instead is infused with the wide-open spaces and prairies of the American Mid-West. Standards are set with opener the gorgeous “First in Line”, a beautiful slice of West Coast-ish country-pop that spins a sweet tale of love and loss.  “Shades of Green” is a lusher Neil Young circa “After the Goldrush”, while “Mallards” is worthy of Van the Man in his Astral Weeks days.  Elsewhere there’s a plaintiveness and pleading to Jonssons vocals, particularly on “24 Carat”, somewhat reminiscent of Jeff Tweedy – in fact the whole album is reminiscent of Wilco at their best.  Infused with a purposeful languidness, the album gives off a sense of warm assurance and calm.  So, all in all, all the right influences merged into something warm, welcoming and wonderful.  More info from www.thomasdenver.com

Jeremy Searle