Minimum Style, Maximum Effort
Apollon, 2022
8/10
Listen to Minimum Style, Maximum Effort
The solo project of Arne Thelinin, aka the ex-Kwyet Kings and Lust-O-Rama (now DANG!!!) frontman, as Bithammer! he’s armed with a guitar, a smart phone, an old drum machine, fifty samples and a whole lot of imagination.
“That’s Entertainment!” starts the listen with buzzing garage rock that’s full charged guitar acrobatics and thumping drums, and this energy continues to “Make You Mine (Turd Floor Blues)”, where psychedelic pop ideas enter a very stylish landscape.
Further on, “Pushin’ Too Hard” makes great use of organs in the busy, brass friendly climate that’s quite festive, while “The Garden Of Eden”, the album’s best, brings traces of the ‘80s with a swift and fuzzy spirit.
Close to the end, “What Am I Gonna Do” emits a retro jangle to the upbeat and summery demeanor, and “The Garden Of Sweden” exits with sensual vocal samples amid very modern pop-rock flavor.
An aptly titled affair, Bithammer! is quite raw, a bit rough around the edges, and manages to play the sort of rock that’s quite nostalgic, but also futuristic in its atypical charm.
Travels well with: Aadal- Lost Songs; The Opium Cartel- Valor