A GUEST POST by MARTIN ELLIOT
I’ve finally got my act together and finalized this Anna Ternheim ICA, which has been floating around my mind for at least a year now. As Anna just released her very first own songs in Swedish, I thought this is the moment to complete an ICA covering her career so far – all sung in English.
Anna is a Swedish singer-songwriter in an indie/folky kind of way, and (potentially) of course she has dabbled a bit with country influences as well, even if that will not be very evident from this collection. Anna has grown a solid fan base here in her home country and she has with her often a bit gloomy lyrics been able to get a grip of also the toughest guys around – I will never forget the two tattooed guys in hockey shirts on the row in front of me crying during her concert together with the Swedish National Radio symphonic orchestra…
Anna released her first album, Somebody Outside, in 2004 and the day I finally hit the send button is actually exactly the 20 years mark of the release. Since then, she has released six full length studio albums, two live recordings plus a bunch of EPs and album singles. Her last effort was A Space For Lost Time in 2019, I’ve included tracks from all her studio albums showcasing her slightly introvert, subtle but yet very emotional songs ranging from slightly more bombastic songs to piano ballads. Anna’s main instruments are the acoustic guitar and piano, the latter taking a much more prominent role in her soundscape.
Hadn’t T(n)VV dedicated Sundays to singles, I would say Anna Ternheim is a great fit for a Sunday ICA. (JC adds……which is why I’ve given the TWP series a day off!)
So here we go, “All The Way From Stockholm” – an Anna Ternheim ICA.
Side A.
1. To Be Gone (Somebody Outside 2004) From her debut, this was her second single, somewhat of a breakthrough and a natural starting point.
2. What Have I Done (Leaving On A Mayday 2008) Her, ehrm, rockiest album starting with What Have I Done, in my eyes her best song (so far) potentially because it was released at the time I met a woman I maybe shouldn’t have met, and the lyrics were spot on. A driving beat, her voice and strings to accentuate. What not to enjoy?
3. Only Those Who Love (For The Young 2015) Very much typical Anna, pretty straightforward, slightly upbeat and behold, we get a bit of guitar…
4. Bow Your Head (The Night Visitor 2011) The Night Visitor is Anna’s country album, recorded in Nashville mostly with local musicians. This is maybe the least country-ish track on the album, a track building up and breaking down a couple of times. Almost a touch of blues sprinkled over it.
5. Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely (RSD 10″ Gift Of Changes 2016) Anna has never shied away from covers, and yes this the Backstreet Boys track. Stripped and slowed down, Anna’s very heartfelt and honest voice transforms a cliché hit list pop song to an earnest meant question, What IS the meaning of being lonely?
Side B.
1. All The Way To Rio (All The Way To Rio 2017) An unusually positive and happy vibe about leaving something behind and starting over again in this little pearl of a pop song.
2. Girl Laying Down (Separation Road 2006) Another career defining song, Girl Lying Down has maybe become her most well known song for a broader audience in Sweden. A piano driven song about being different. As with many of her songs there are drums partly at the forefront, strings, piano and her voice.
3. This Is The One (A Space For Lost Time 2019) A sweet little love song, kind of a sequel to All The Way To Rio. I guess.
4. Black Sunday Afternoon (Leaving On A Mayday 2008) A rather sad story about an accident, someone being hit by a car. Moody bassline leads the melody, could almost go as a (very) light version of Nick Cave.
5. Shoreline (Somebody Outside 2004) Another cover, Shoreline is a true indie classic in Sweden, originally by Broder Daniel, and to shout (or wave a cardboard piece saying) “Play Shoreline” has become standard at virtually every (indie) concert in Sweden – I’ve seen such signs shown to Bruce Springsteen too…
Where Broder Daniel were youthfully desperate, Anna is the grown-up, earnest, intimate one reflecting on times past. She has truly made this her own song.
I hope you have enjoyed this selection of more quiet songs than maybe normally here at The Vinyl Villain.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 