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Hailing from Bergen, the same hometown in Norway as Kings of Convenience, Unknown Joe bring a similar "quiet is the new loud" aesthetic to this disc, the debut from the combo led by Erik Fossen. Rather than the Kings' lush folky sound, though, Unknown Joe present a laid back, countrified pop sound. (It always seems a little weird to me when bands from other countries embrace the American country-music sound. Not that I think it's proprietary to the U.S., it's just...why? Anyway...) Joining Fossen's acoustic rhythm guitar is a lively variety of backing instrumentation, including slide guitar, accordion, banjo, fiddle, glockenspiel, oboe, theremin, and some distorted guitar leads. Fossen's lightly raspy vocals are similar to the dude from World Party or Tony from Papas Fritas, and there's a venture into Beach Boys-style vocal harmonies on the second track. The subdued, intimate quality of this album gives it a feel like it was created by 5 friends in a sunny living room (though Bergen is, according to the record label, "very rainy"). Not every song shines, but overall it's a warm, amiable sound from wintery Scandinavia. (mike.01.05)
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