Wednesday, January 3, 2024

MIA SANDBERG – ...från mig (Sonet, 1980)

 
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *

Mia Sandberg entered the scene at the waning end of progg, heading towards the future but still with traces of earlier times. As an artist, she's rather forgotten today, but she released three albums and several singles in the early 80s. She has infrequently reappeared as a musician a few times after that, although her main occupation these days is as a therapist and an occassional author.

”Från mig” was her debut album, released in 1980 to largely positive reviews. It includes her most successful track ”Svart eller vit” which opens the album. Sandberg sings her confessional songs in a slightly husky voice, and she's a decent enough songwriter. Too bad then that the album passes rather unnoticed. The main problem is that major label Sonet obviously didn't want to lose money on their then new signing, giving it an overly anxious production. The music kind of evaporizes before you have a chance to notice it's even there. (Sonet hired Flemming Ostermann of Danish band Savage Rose to handle the knobs which makes the sound even more puzzling as Savage Rose hardly were known for a cowardly sound.)

Still, if you're looking for a more toned-down Stina Nordström, a more dressed-up Barbro Hörberg or perhaps even a more glamourous Turid, this might appeal to you. But if you pass on it, you won't miss a lot.

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