Italian Whisky
Diversion, 2023
9/10
This is the 3rd and final album from Agony Street, which consists of Gudmundur Bragason and the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Swedish treasure Klas Qvist, who was also the driving force behind Citizen K, and who passed away in 2021.
After the brief piano and warm dreaminess of “Next Door Overture”, “The Girl Next Door” follows with crisp drums, bright vocals and nostalgic melodies, while the swift and jangly “Your Turn Me Off” is full of harmony and an energy so infectious you’d want to dance.
In the middle, “After Approximately Seven Glasses Of Italian Whisky” offers a raw recording of retro ideas, and the charming layers of “Next Door To A Looney” emit a distinct baroque pop flavor.
Arriving near the end, the scrappy “Global City (Nothing Is Everything)” possesses some psyche-pop nods that are quite frisky, and “Utopia” exits with thumping drums, firm keys and a theatric appeal of unique and timeless song craft.
Agony Street actually began way back in 1990, and released albums in 1991 and 1993. This last installment may come decades after their inception, but it represents a lifetime of experience and skill from Qvist and Bragason, and puts a sturdy exclamation point on Qvist’s exceptional legacy.
Travels well with: Agony Street- Songs For William; Brian Wilson & Van Dyke Parks- Orange Crate Art