The Embassy (band)
The Embassy | |
|---|---|
 Live performance, 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Sweden |
| Genres | Pop Disco |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Service, International |
| Members | Fredrik Lindson Torbjörn Håkansson |
| Website | Official site |
The Embassy is an electropop band formed in Sweden in 1999, consisting of Fredrik Lindson (vocals) and Torbjörn Håkansson (keys and mixing).
Futile Crimes (2002)
Futile Crimes was released November 15, 2002, preceded by the three singles “Sneaky Feelings EP”, “It never entered my mind” and “The Pointer/Make me sad”. The album was released on the newstarted, now legendary Service label and was the beginning of a new popera in Gothenburg. The album consists of 10 songs recorded by Björn Olsson in Sehr Schöön studios and is a blend of disco-pop, twee and pubrock. In combination with the bands anti-rock aesthetics and disrespectful live performances [1] the Embassy became a both loved and questioned band. Futile Crimes won Manifest and Nöjesguiden prize for best album 2002.
Tacking (2005)
The group released their second album, Tacking, to positive reviews.[1][2][3]
David Coleman, of No Ripcord, said that "I certainly appreciate how perfect this would sound as the soundtrack to a drunken barbeque or even beach party, but I’m in dreary old Sheffield and you know what? Tacking still sounds pretty great to me." and awarded the album a score of 8/10.[1] This was supported Laura Snapes, who felt the album closely mirrored the environment from which it originates, stating "So much of this album is just pure ecstasy that Rough Guides should consider adopting it as their guide to the city – the sunny xylophone ting and winsome violins of "It Pays To Belong" to walk the cobbled streets of Haga, the old town, the mellow "Information" to cycle down the coastal path to the southern archipelago amidst an encroaching feel of melancholy as you look back at your friends and realise that summer won’t last, and "Was That All It Was" to dance at Pustervik’s Pingisklubben night, gleefully hitting ping pong balls off the table after a few too many pear ciders before shaking it to the awesomely old school saxophone solo." and awarding the album a 72% score.[2]
Sweet Sensation (2013)
After a series of singles the band started working on a new album in 2011. The result was a bit more contemplative than we were used to, although with some typical Embassy-sounds.[4] The album never really made it in the charts but was mostly well reviewed,[5] appreciated for its soft groove as in songs like "Related Artist" and "International". As a final single from the album "I-D" was released in november 2013. It came with a beloved suicidal video made by Ty Olson [6] and a b-side with the newly awakened title "Is This Heaven?".
Discography
Studio albums
- 2002 Futile Crimes (CD/LP - Reissue)
- 2005 Tacking (CD/LP)
- 2013 Sweet Sensation (CD/LP)
- 2018 White Lake (CD/LP)
Compilation albums
- 2011 Life in the Trenches (Album, CD/LP)
EPs
- 2004 Wearing Our Pop Art Hearts On Our Sleeves (EP, CD)
- 2006 A Compact Disc Including The Embassy (EP, CD)
Singles
- 2001 Sneaky Feelings (Single, 7"-Vinyl)
- 2002 It Never Entered My Mind (Single, 7"-Vinyl)
- 2002 The Pointer (Single, CD)
- 2004 Flipside of a Memory (Single, 7"-Vinyl)
- 2005 Some Indulgence (Single, CD)
- 2006 It Pays to Belong (Single, Download)
- 2007 Some Indulgence Rewind (Single, CD)
- 2008 State'08 (Single, 12" vinyl)
- 2009 You Tend To Forget (Single, 12" vinyl)
- 2010 C’est La Vie (Single, Download)
- 2012 Roundkick (Single, Download)
- 2013 International (Global mix) (Single, Download)
- 2013 I-D (Single, Download)
References
- ^ a b Coleman, David (2009-08-05). "No Ripcord review, score of 8/10". No Ripcord. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
- ^ a b Snapes, Laura (2009-08-06). "Laura Snapes review, score of 72%". LauraSnapes.com. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
- ^ Mason, Stewart. "Allmusic review, score of 3.5/5". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
- ^ http://nbhap.com/music/reviews/record-reviews/the-embassy-sweet-sensation/
- ^ http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-embassy-sweet-sensation-118560
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzLdEuLIpcQ
- Andersson-Andersson, Fredrik (November 20, 2013). "The Embassy". Radar Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2014.