There must be something in the water in Sweden because they've been producing a bunch of quality hockey players and rock bands lately. They're like the new Canada or something. Further evidence to this is the Jönköping-based Dialog Cet who return with their fourth album in five years for the label that first brought you the likes of The Division Of Laura Lee and the (international) noise conspiracy. There's a strong indication of personal and professional growth since 2002's Konsumera Era, as not only is the new disk 17 minutes longer and better produced, it's obviously more creative and downright fun. Like Animals combines the best aspects of creepy art rock with the indie guitar-pop sensibilities of The Strokes or The Libertines, with splashes of broader influences cresting here and there. "Fakketti Fakketti" rides a skittering ska/dub groove Specials-style, "Black Fisk" throws down some drum heavy ambient glitch reminiscent of Dosh, while I swear "Mazzrilla Gorialla" swipes a bassline from Frank Zappa. The whole album is very atmospheric and changes mood from abstract to comical quickly and effectively right off the bat, leading with the doomy "Introdjuret" that belongs in the Kids In The Hall's Brain Candy score, before the contrast of the head-nodding janglecore bubblegum of the title track. If they continue to grow at this pace, the world may have another Butthole Surfers on its hands, but for now we'll have to make due with a slightly more accessible Sonic Youth or a less Radio 4, which is still pretty good. A lot of this may have to do with the band reshaping to a solid foursome from essentially the duo of guitarist Robin Watking and bassist Pontus Stalin (great name, by the way) with three rotating drummers and a couple extra musicians to cover the overflow guitar, bass, and synth work which must give them better focus in the studio. In any case, the future looks bright for Sweden.
1. Introdjuret
2. Like Animals
3. Fakketti Fakketti
4. Mazzrilla Gorialla
5. I Am An Imal
6. Fevers, Monkeys & A Blue Lagoon
7. Los Albatross
8. Crocodile Hunt
9. Evuw
10. Dragonfly
11. Black Fisk
12. Alkali Freeze (Bee)
13. Krifs! Krifs!!
14. Chimp Champ
15. Dolphin Lundgren
16. Party Animal
17. Life Can Be Rats
18. Luke A. Nimaals
19. Last Animal On The Planet
More about: Dialog Cet
