The Cardigans

THE CARDIGANS  SUPER EXTRA GRAVITY

If The Cardigans previous album was majestic and mature, Super Extra Gravity is an unruly and spectacular album. Still, there are similarities. The band succeeds in retaining everything that was good about Long Gone Before Daylight while, at the same time, rebelling against it. Continuity and reaction in one. That the last album marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Swedish band's history was obvious. However, as their composer/guitarist Peter Svensson puts it, it just wouldn't be The Cardigans if we went in and made the same album again. So, what was the inspiration this time around. We wanted to make an album that was strange and good, says singer/lyricist Nina Persson. The idea was that each song should contain something twisted and spectacular. Both Nina and Peter independently mention The Pixies as an inspiration. Not surprisingly, we don't sound like them at all, Peter smiles. The new album was made after a period of extensive touring. It all began two years ago, with festivals around Europe and Britain. A European club tour in the autumn of 2003 was followed by a short break, during which the band found time to record a bonus track for the American version of the album. The North American tour lasted from May through to September. ?Looking back, it feels like the last tour gave us a great foundation as a live band. It started out a bit shaky, but when we got going we were able to stretch out and relax in a way we hadn't previously been able to.Work commenced almost instantly on Super Extra Gravity, the band working with Tore Johansson in Gula Studio in Malm. Since both Peter, keyboard player Lasse Johansson and drummer Bengt Lagerberg have become fathers, the sessions had to be carefully planned. 12 days in the studio were followed by eight days off. During the latter, Peter posted two demos of new songs for Nina to write lyrics to often together with her husband, renowned American film music composer Nathan Larson.

During the next 12 days the two finished tracks were recorded. Sounds like an old-fashioned hit factory Yes, Nina nods, we just had to be more disciplined. Sooner or later these things are bound to happen if you want to combine your rock band with a life. The advantage of this procedure was that every band member has been very involved in all aspects and phases of the album. This was it, an asset for composer, lyricist and band.