Band To Watch: I Was A King

The Norwegian band I Was A King is the brainchild of Frode Strømstads. The new self-titled album, which follows 2007's Losing Something Good for Something Better, features Serena-Maneesh's Emil Nikolaisen on bass, drums and a co-production credit, alongside guest spots from Sufjan Stevens, Danielson and Ladybug Transistor, among others. But even without "star" contributions, the 15 tracks add up to pleasingly dense, tuneful, and ambitious batch of psychedelic power pop. The layers of sound will likely appeal to fans of Olivia Tremor Control as much as older tastes a la Strawberry Alarm Clock. (There's a song about "Golden Years" and some of this is vintage.) Teenage Fanclubbers might also want to pay attention; and, after listening to the burnt guitar soloing, you'll understand why Strømstads has Dinosaur Jr. in his Top 8. Today (1/27) I Was A King released a 7"/digital single for "Norman Bleik" and the piano-fronted "It's All You" (which includes one of Sufjan's guest turns). You can take a listen to "Norman Bleik" here.

I Was A King - "Norman Bleik" (MP3)

The "Norman Bleik" 7" is a split release with Hype City/Morningside. If you're curious, you can hear the Sufjan track "It Was All You" at MySpace or download MP3 below. Stevens goes for it. He actually appears on 4 tracks -- "Still," "Stay Warm," "It's All You," and "Fading Summer" -- if you're one of those completists.

I Was A King (Feat. Sufjan Stevens) - "It's All You" (MP3)

I Was A King is out 4/7 via The Control Group. The band will tour the US in June.

[Band photo by Fotonils.com]

Posted at 1:30 PM in Band To Watch
Tags: I Was A King | Serena-Maneesh | Sufjan Stevens

8 Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFrQfeI0wFA

Posted by: Ao at 01/27/09 2:00 PM | Reply
Score = 2

Not bad. I was surprised to hear such a rootsy affair though. I'll check out their album when it comes out though. Thanks.

Posted by: Music Critic at 01/27/09 6:18 PM | Reply
Score = 0

This is great stuff. BMX Bandits?

Posted by: Scott at 01/27/09 10:00 PM | Reply
Score = 0

Already got myself the European release, and I'm loving it.

Posted by: Junebar at 01/28/09 2:57 AM | Reply
Score = 2

great album, get it!!

http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2009/01/06/560789.html

http://www.myspace.com/iwasaking

Posted by: vikkanflikkan at 01/28/09 2:57 PM | Reply
Score = 1

Really really boring.

Posted by: diezelpower at 01/29/09 6:26 AM | Reply
Score = -5

Isn't the most obvious comparison Teenage Fanclub? I mean, the song is "Norman Bleik." Oh those Scandinavians and their puns.

Posted by: bill p at 01/29/09 11:09 AM | Reply
Score = 0

As well as those Scots and their puns. Neil Jung? Come on :)

Posted by: Moose in reply to bill p's comment at 02/04/09 5:43 AM | Reply
Score = 0