GO INTO THE SWEDISH WOODS WITH THE MANIKINS

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I will be the first to admit that I am definitely not up to date with the Swedish Rock world. I can now say I am a little more educated about it, after listening to the newest release from The Manikins. The self proclaimed lieutenants of the Swedish garage punk scene, has been around since 1999. They spent some time touring Europe and even did a small tour US tour in 2009. Their sixth studio album, Swedish Woods, is a culmination of pandemic writing, and an exploration of the roots of rock.

In the press release sent with the album for review, the band commented “In the process of writing, we’ve been searching in the back catalogues of the most primitive rock-n-roll in history.” I have to say, they did a fantastic job. The raw sound of the guitar’s upper end, gives off the more primitive vibe. As I was listening, I kept hearing some of the early 60’s guitar sounds like The Ventures, while at the same time hearing some Ramone’s, and Sex Pistols influence. They have taken it down to the bare essentials, while still keeping that punk essence throughout the album.

The video for the second track of the album, “Rosita” is full of that essence, with some bold, “in your face” stage presence with boundless energy. They are shown serenading a couple, with the bare instrument essentials, in a small room. That room seems to barely contain them all. That kind of energy bleeds through the entire album. In “Too Cool For the Modern World” the attitude is thick. “…Your kind of gorgeous, but your kind of sad./ You’re the best that I ever had / I let you go, my girl / too cool for the modern world/ I let you go”. In “Zombie”, there’s an interesting “oh well” attitude, to deal with certain situations, or society. “When people ‘round me talk, I don’t hear sh*# / I don’t understand, even a little bit/ and when I read the book it’s upside down”. They continue; “Cause I can’t get you out of my head / I don’t know what you’ll put there instead/ I tried and tried but nothing really sticks/ Zombie”. Each song comes at you fast, encouraging as you ponder the lyrics. Do they mean anything or are they just fun? That’s where you must listen and decide.

This album is full of high energy and will be sure to please not only those of the punk scene, but anyone with an appreciation for rock. The Manikins have packed a lot into concise packages of varying sizes, just in time for Christmas! Swedish Woods drops on November 17, so make sure you check it out!

By I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michele Hancock