The Cardigans have released their entire studio album repertoire on remastered vinyl LP. The celebrated Swedish quintet have issued all six of their albums on the format, two of which will be available on vinyl for the very first time: the band's head-turning debut Emmerdale; plus, the last album of their spellbinding 1992-2005 creative output: Super Extra Gravity. The collection will also feature world-dominating titles from their illustrious back catalogue, including Life (1995), First Band On the Moon (1996), Gran Turismo (1998), and Long Gone Before Daylight (2003). All albums have been remastered at Sterling Sound studios in New York and are pressed on gatefold 180g gram vinyl...

I originally bought The Cardigans's first two albums on CD when they were released in the '90s, and for a while they were the soundtrack to my life as I commuted to work in London. For some reason I never followed the band after Life (1995)... and if I'm being totally honest, I wasn't even aware they'd released more albums.

Long Gone Before Daylight (2003) is The Cardigan's fifth studio album and sees the band's style shift to more of a mellow sound. This is miles away from the band's origins, with them moving closer to alternative rock with a toe planted in country music. The opening 'Communication' sounds not dissimilar to the style of pop songs that Natalie Imbruglia was releasing at around the same time. Nina Persson's vocal's are almost unrecognisable, with a more Chrissie Hynde edge to them. In fact, if you didn't know, you'd think that it was another singer entirely from the one that performed on the first two albums.

Long Gone Before Daylight contains 11 tracks (49 min, 12 sec) and the transformation, for me, is welcomed. This is a much more mature and serious album. This is a release that will grow with you. The earlier albums are firmly rooted in the past, whereas this album could be released today and you wouldn't find it out of place. The diversity from track to track also help to make this an enjoyable release.

9

Nick Smithson