Guybrush

Introduction :

Madrugada is regarded a staple in norwegian pop and rock history and was, until their recent breakup, a rock band fronted by the deep voiced Sivert Høyem. Unfortunately, core member, guitarist and songwriter Robert Burås was found dead in his apartment on the 12th of july, 2007. Despite the tragic loss of their fellow bandmember, the band finished recording their last eponymous album which was released in january 2008. They had their last farewell concert later in november the same year.

The band started out in the early 90s as a classic guitar, bass, drums and vocals rock group and changed name several times from ØX to Abbey's Adoption to Six Generations. I wasn't until 97 or 98 that they finally settled with the name Madrugada. The word appearantly means the hour before sunset in spanish. After their final namechange, they released two EPs and their dark and melancholic rock sound got a lot of praise and attention. The EPs also generated lots of anticipation for their 1999 debut, Industrial Silence. When it was finally released, it was the first of several albums from the band to top the norwegian pop charts.

Industrial silence is today widely regarded as one of the most popular norwegian rock albums in history. After it's release in 1999, it won them a norwegian grammy in the rock category. It also spawned a few singles with accompanying videos that get airplay on radioshows and channels like MTV to this day.

But .. is it any good?


Song for Song Review :

Vocal opens quickly with two beats on the snare drum and wham!, you are immediately thrown out into Madrugada's lush melancholic rock sound. This ballad is one of the most well known and appreciated songs on the album. I already know it well and listening to it again, I'm not surprised it's popular because it does a good job of showcasing the band and their sound. It's fragile and robust at the same time, very melancholic - and also quite accessible. Beautyproof leaves the ballady feel and trades it for a bit of attitude. It's a droning rock song that starts out gently, then builds momentum until it gets quite loud and powerful at the end. Unlike the melodic guitar of the opening track, Beautyproof has a very simple guitar riff being played over and over. It's a good song and also a popular single, so I was able to find the video on youtube. Check it out!




Shine is another melancholic rock ballad in the same vein as vocal, but it's a step up on the romantic scale. If you can take that kind of stuff, there's not much to dislike about this song. I know soppy ballad sounds bad, but it's actually rather excellent and one of my favourite songs on the album. Higher, much welcomed, brings up the pace a little and finally gets things rocking. It's a good song with plenty of drive. Sirens starts out slow and ponderous at first, then like beautyproof builds suspension until it's pushing you towards the edge. Strange Colour Blue is another favourite with some and is yet another driving, droning melancholic rock tune.

This Old House interestingly throws a little harmonica and steel guitar into the mix. Despite being another basic rock tune, it's the first song to really break from the mold that's been built up so far on the album and I for one welcome the country influence. It's also not quite as dark as most of the songs before it. Electric is wholly enjoyable although at times, it eerily reminds me of the classic Unchained Melody. It features a return of the steel guitar and has plenty of passion and a very strong vocal performance by Sivert. Salt is apocalyptic and dark with militaristic drums, drive and anger. At times it's almost lamentatious and the lyrics slightly grotesque.

"As long as we are free - We'll be doomed to live and die - Under the great suburban sky"

It actually sounds like it could be Nick Cave song. Neat huh? Belladonna is a wall of sound slow rock song with distorted guitar and heavy, dronous drumming filling every audible crack. The bad thing about it is that it sounds a bit like a mix of stuff you’ve already heard before on this album, only not as good. The refrain is scarily similar to that of beautyproof. Norwegian Hammerworks Corp. immediately sets things right again. At the start, Sivert is reciting lyrics over a droning drum and guitar playing a simple yet heavy riff. As the recital ends, so does the music -- until Sivert’s vocals come back singing more this time, eventually reciting “with the hands of love” like straight out of Joshua Tree. I won’t pretend like I understand it, but I like it.

Quote Emotional is a love song song you could have a nap to. It’s soothing, slow and dreamy at times. The slightly self-indulgent and experimental Terraplane sounds like more night-music and actually reminds me a bit of Portishead. Just replace Sivert Høyem with Beth Gibbons, get some breakbeats in and it could work. However, it also works as a Madrugada song although this is perhaps not the most exciting moment on the album. And that’s it, phew!


Review Summary :

So what do we have here? Well, despite some variations in influences, Madrugada mostly stays very true to their melancholic rock sound and for an album that's roughly 64 minutes long, it's a bit much in one sitting. While some of the songs sound conceptual, for example Norwegian Hammersmith Corp., the album as a whole sounds like just a collection of songs, some better than others. In a way, I think many of the individual songs are stronger than the album as a whole which lacks variety and eventually becomes a bit boring. That's perhaps my biggest beef with it.

However, the saviours of norwegian rock have put out an astounding debut and I can definetly see why it became so popular. One of the more interesting things about Madrugada, I think, is how they were able to take such a classic, simple band setup and such simple chords and make such a rich, moody sounds and great songs. Most people with a little guitar-skill will be able to play along while they listen and thus, they show again that the quality of rock music isn't necessarily in it's technical complexity. However, while all the songs are good or better, some of them are still a bit poppy for my tastes and many lack replayability .. but that could also have something to do with me having known this album since release.

It was either gonna be a weak 5 or a strong 4, either very good to good or vice versa. A lot of people would beyond doubt give this album a 5, but I'm gonna give it :


Toretorden's Treasure Trove score : 4/6


Now, had the album been shorter, say about 45 minutes, I probably would've given it a 5 without thinking twice. Thus, despite the good score, I will strongly recommend this album to all of you because it has some really good songs on it. Just don't sit down and try to listen through the whole thing, you may get bored. Instead, listen to one or two of my favourite songs and see if you like it!

favourite songs : Vocal, Beautyproof, Shine, Higher, This Old House, Electric, Norwegian Hammerworks Corp.

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