Rob Price
Gutbrain Records
rob + gutbrain.com = email


2022 August 08 • Monday

Since we're in Sweden, the 738th Soundtrack of the Week is Björn Isfält's music for En Kärleks Historia.

The "Uvertyr" is a lovely piece in gently swinging waltz time, with a pretty melody floating over arpeggiating guitar.

Then there's kind of a pop song with English lyrics, "Talk to Me". It's a love song but it has a kind of bluesy, slightly druggy feel to it, like a straightforward number that's been just the tiniest bit infected by an acid rock shuffle.

Delicate keyboard ostinati are the foundation for "Den Vackre", which has flutes and bass playing a melody in unison for a happy-sounding number.

"Oh No" is another rock/pop/love song, with a really nice melody, vocal harmonies blending well with minor chords and great use of harpsichord.

The next song, "Wake Up in the Morning", starts with groovy bass playing and supportive guitar while the singer returns with more English-language lyrics. It's another love song, about how when the singer wakes up in the morning he only thinks of you. It goes to some interesting places, though. When you think the drums are going to come in, it turns out to be hand percussion. It's really good.

All the songs on the A side have vocals by Staffan Stenström.

Then we're back to the gentle waltz feel for a pretty tune, "Raj, Raj", that's similar to the overture and "Den Vackre".

The A side ends with "Eko-Låten", a restrained instrumental that's similar to some of the vocal numbers.

The B side starts with a more intense vocal song. "Would You Like To Be" has a harder hitting rhythm section and Hammond organ for a bit of a psychedelic rock feel, even though it's still fairly subdued.

Next are three Swedish-language songs with vocals by Anita Lindblom.

"Morgonvals" is a nice waltz number in keeping with the movie's main themes.

På en Sjömansgrav" has kind of a rusitc chanson feel to it, just voice, acoustic guitar and harmonica.

Then there's her version of "Wake Up in the Morning", which has a brighter, airier feel than the previous rendition.

Finally there's "The Bertil Theme", which is very much dramatic underscore, with a pensive melody hovering above pulsating strings and harmonic territory mapped out by the bass.