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| .: Evolution Analysis .
1) Per's Gessle
Collection
2) Evolution
1977 - Grape Rock
1978 - Gyllene Tider - Billy EP
1978 - Gyllene Tider Live.
1979 - Peter Pop & The Helicopters & demos
1979 - Gyllene Tider
1980 - Moderna Tider
1982 - Puls
1983 - Per Gessle
1984 - Heartland Cafe
1985 - Scener
1986 - Pearls Of Passion
1988 - Look Sharp!
1989 - Pers Garage
1991 - Joyride
1992 - Tourism
1994 - Crash Boom Bang
1995 - DBUGTTC
1995 - Halmstads Pärlör
1996 - The Lonely Boys
1996 - EP
1997 - Återtåget
1997 - The World According To Gessle
1999 - Have A nice Day
2001 - Room Service
2002 - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend & Bsides
2002 - A Thing About You / Breathe for "The Ballad Hits"
2003 - Opportunity Nox / Little Miss Sorrow for "The Pop Hits"
2003 - Mazarin
Per Gessle. The most important and international Swedish
songwriter and composer of all time. A very demanding
market has made Gessle be at the very top of the
international hall of fame for only a few years, staying
in a comfortable second row ever since, whereas in
homeland Sweden, he is still after 25 years, the most
important artist around. Impressive.
A typical young boy from a typical lower-class Swedish
family in the south-west coast of Sweden, from a small
town named after Hamlet: Halmstad. No music background
and no money for developing his interest, Per has taught
himself throughout these last 26 or 27 years with the
help of his idols and some friends to be a songwriter, a
composer, an artist…a star.
The forth coming description is, I suppose, applicable to
many artists from today and from yesterday, but I think a
real development is actually felt while listening to
Per’s music in chronological order. A sense of
indulgement and will follows him from his very beginning
till today. Maybe it was luck. Maybe not. Several record
companies denied his deal-request and still he got
"up there".
Per states that he was 16 when he got interested in music
performance and composing when he visited some friends
while they were practising with their band. A background
of pop and punk musicians gave him the energy and dreams
to sometime become one of them. The Beatles, David Bowie,
Elvis Presley, Tom Petty, The Ramones and many others are
what he considers: his teachers. No music tuition as far
as anyone knows, only pure intuition and good hearing. A
story that has an obvious development needs at last to be
put down on paper. Well, on html. Ha-ha.
1977 - Grape Rock and Pre-Gyllene Tider.
The beginning. A fresh energetic Per, who wanted to
conquer the world. Joined up with Mats Persson and the
boys to deliver a punk and aggressive feel to southern
music. Very unacceptable according to some of the experts
around Per, but definitely perfect to train Per. Very
‘controversial’ lyrics in which women (and
sex), music and alcohol were involved. Not all at the bad
end though. Definitely a need to pass on a message of
youth to the young. Musically speaking, very simple, but
rough and elaborated. Easy tunes and melodies which were
given much importance and a decent part in all songs in
which they actually were in many cases the core of the
songs. So basically, very instrumental at the beginning.
Cool.
Only a few of these songs were rescued for future formal
recordings such as "Flickorna På TV2",
"När alla vännerna har gått hem" or the late
"Genius Gone Wrong" released in 1996.
1978 - Gyllene Tider - Billy EP
After some training, a dream was to become true. A
recording. Although it may have been a bit too hurried
and professionally inadequate, it was a step.
"The" step. Again we find that Per & Mats
(we see that originally most of Gyllene Tider’s
music was composed by Per but most of them also were
supported and co-written with Mats) are in the punk side
of the line. Same style as their beginning. A kid called
"Billy" with drug problems sends Per to sign
off his first record deal with Parlophone.
"Pornografi" is obviously an attractive title
and the closing "När alla vännerna har gått
hem" grips a stone heart and sheds tears to those
who have never cried before. Or isn’t it sad when
all your friends have left?
1979 - Peter Pop & The Helicopters
The question round this mysterious recording is: what is
it?? A single released together with Mats Persson, as a
duo. Mysterious names of companies, record labels, and
publishers. Not that they didn’t exist, but that
they have never been heard of thereafter. Guitar and
Drums basically. Per delivers in a very masculine and
sexy tone of voice in which having sex "After
School" is his way of life. The song is based (if
not, a cover) on the Swedish song "Efter
Plugget". Very Gessleish in those days; covering
some songs and getting the best out of them -and out of
him-. "Keep My Love Satisfied" is a softer
version. In all aspects. A love version of the previous,
but basically with the same message. A weak and
non-convincing vocal arrangement, but still with a nice
melody to contrast on the previous A-Side. A present.
1979 - Gyllene Tider
Chapter 1. Everybody agrees that this is where it all
started. The fivesome agree. And definitely it does. As
with all, a general overview on how Per’s music has
developed, and not detailed descriptions on specific
songs. That is somewhere else in the site : )
1979. How come they sound different? They seem to have
cleaned and purified their sound. A more
"poppish" style compared with their previous
work. Of course Lasse Lindbom is partly responsible for
this, but we are talking about the previous two years. A
sense of "we did it" could’ve actually
turned on in Per & Co. and made them realise that it
was no longer a game. It was for real. Still energetic,
with smashing guitar melodies and social-love themed
songs. There is now a band behind all the music. You can
identify each one of them but working as one. Elegant.
1980 - Moderna Tider
Rocky! Way to go. Per’s development is on a rising
slope. No words for the completion of a perfect album
based on a "rock n’ roll" environment. The
22 track bonus CD does not mess around with the original
13 track LP. All round up in a big ball. Bouncing up and
down. Maybe on the love side on many of the songs, but
still many social and important messages behind others.
1982 - Puls
A new step. Something different for the taste. Per is
beginning to take shape. Only slightly. Although keeping
Gyllene Tider’s trademark, it is clearly
recognisable that there is less of a punk rock band
behind, and more of a pop and mature band instead.
Production may hide some of the sweetness of original
ideas and improvisation. Too elegant?
1983 - Per Gessle
Neither up nor down. A side step. A ‘forced’
solo album due to band colleagues playing G.I. takes Per
on a small ride to a different atmosphere. Where before
we could listen to a rock decent chap, we get a sad,
loving and folk-country man. Definitely not a work of
art, but still a stone on the way which proved he was on
the right track. Future 50% Roxette appears in several of
the songs. It surely put Per into place and maybe turned
him on, but that made him start to compose for both men
and women and start maturing his music. It would never be
the same again.
The folk sounds with acoustic guitar and banjo are nice,
the harmonica and harp not bad. However, listening to
Gessle singing would completely puzzle anyone who was
expecting Per Gessle of Gyllene Tider. One word to
describe it: "rain"…or better:
"snow".
1984 - Heartland Café
English. An attempt to conquer US market. It was in a way
bad luck, because although it is a well figured out
album, the lack of energy in it didn’t at all help
in a world where rock n’ roll bands were gradually
starting to appear. Who wanted a Swedish band anyway?
"Heartland Café" (the song) alone
should’ve caught the attention of anyone. Just
beautiful. The style, once again, is leaving 1979 Gyllene
Tider behind and getting nearer and nearer of a top chart
Roxette. Marie Fredriksson accompanies Per in some of the
vocals. This turns out to be a time bomb dangerously
close to exploding. Per’s music is now taking a more
distinctive appearance. His ballads have started becoming
his own, recognisable and the more rocky songs still a
bit out of hand. Not perfect, but still in the right
direction. The Gyllene Tider concept now turns into a new
love and sentimental hysteria, where love and dislove
battle away throughout a thought of "age" and
"marriage". The story ends in a Café, with two
hearts, "not alone no more". Sticky….
1985 - Scener
Here we go. Last stretch before Per starts becoming a
real international star. His second solo album (and his
worst selling till that day), said to be dedicated to his
father, has now clearly a Roxettish look. The album shows
how Per wants to give friends and family some kind of
protagonism in his life, and uses the cover to do so with
old family pictures. The opening "Galning"
shows a Per coming back for more. Actually accompanied by
the other four Gyllene Tider members but this time as
"Per Gessle" and not as "Gyllene
Tider". Per gives more importance to the vocal side
of the songs, and introduces new instruments to his
compositions. The guitar and drums are still though, his
major allies, together with the organ in many of the
ballads. A soft and melodic voice show a more mature and
professional singer, than the young and too energetic
punk boy from the 70s.
1986 - Pearls Of Passion
To his personal standards: not a good album. It was going
to be his third solo, and listening to it, we can see
that it is in fact a continuation of "Scener".
However, the English, Marie suddenly breaking in as lead
singer and the dreams and aspirations of someday being
international show how Per is in fact centred in
delivering good pop music. Per turns out to be a poet and
although coming from Sweden shows how good his English is
and proves it with astounding lyrics. The music:
energetic & danceable! The new producer (Clarence
Öfwermann) also has a part in this, but still, a sense
of pomposity and humble "we are the best" get
the best out of the duo. It is obvious: he is now
"there". It is only a matter of time.
1988 - Look Sharp!
And time it was. A double release of Look Sharp! First in
Sweden, and a year after everywhere else. Per managed to
convince international listeners that Sweden is not only
ABBA. "The Look" has nothing to do with any of
the songs previously composed by him, and the same
happens with basically the rest of the album. Per reaches
and powerpop extasy where new power ballads arise showing
a powerful man in love. Whereas "Heartland
Café" or "Pearls Of Passion" weren’t
enough to prove his value, "Look Sharp" was way
ahead of the latter and so could comfortably walk about
international festivals and radio stations. Per
"Gyllene Tider" Gessle tunes were to stay in
Sweden. Noone else would understand the music. However
Per "Roxette" Gessle was "up there".
Those six record companies must’ve felt stupid. EMI
1989 - Pers Garage
A reunite of Gyllene Tider (without bass player Anders
Herrlin) importing the new Per Gessle style. A mature
international Per. The new songs rock, and Sweden is
surprised. Gyllene Tider has developed with the industry,
and they hadn’t even noticed although having their
man nonstop on radio all over the world. This was
undercover "Gyllene Tider" maturing with the
"Roxette" name. With a modern powerpop sound,
fun and happy lyrics, Pers Garage opens way for the
nineties to come and surprise even further.
1991 - Joyride
The best album so far in Per’s career. In fact,
could be to date still the best. Pop, rock, energetic,
happy, electric, fun. All in 15 songs. An album where any
of the tracks could’ve been a single. No fill-ins.
Per has confirmed to the international public, that
"Look Sharp!" was not mere fluke. Overwhelming
critics and multimillion sales all over. The ballads are
still poetic and have now established themselves within
the "known" Per style. The uptempo are dressed
up for the occasion. Impressive output.
1992 - Tourism
An extension to "Joyride" in a way. And
definitely a "Per idea" behind it. Most songs
were recorded during the "Joyride Tour" back in
1991/1992 in "studios, hotel rooms and other strange
places". They also included some live tracks.
Nothing more to add here though.
1994 - Crash! Boom! Bang!
A double meaning in the title. And once again Per’s
idea. Album entitled "Crash! Boom! Bang!" to
show how powerful it is, but also, "Crash! Boom!
Bang!" in ballad form to oppose the album-title
criteria. This time we find Per climbing into a
hard-electric-rock trip. The opening-bike track sure was
something nobody imagined getting. Heavy guitar licks
which appear in another four of five tracks. Another turn
therefore in Per’s musical orientation. The ballads,
as always: Gesslish. Simple, poetic and loving.
1995 - DBUGTTC
A compilation. But the need to mention the four new
tracks in it. "June Afternoon" and "She
Doesn’t Live Here Anymore" prove Per’s
value as a rock-star. The first with more of a pop
atmosphere and coloured all over with ice-cream, and
balloons, while the other is how "Gyllene
Tider" sound at this time with Marie backing up on
vocals. Rocky. One of my favourites. "You Don’t
Understand Me" and "I Don’t Want To Get
Hurt" turn out to be magnificent ballads to open and
close Roxette’s first 8 years in international
billboards.
1995 - Halmstads Pärlör
A nice year to quickly also release a compilation (yes,
another one) of Gyllene Tider. It obviously was an excuse
for a comeback. The new tracks sound very modern.
"Det är över nu": the leading and powerful,
"Kung av sand" as the melancholic and "Det
är blommor som har fångat dig" as the lover.
Simply Per.
1996 - EP
A spring release following the "Stora Torg"
concert. The fans wanted a comeback, and so did they. GT
however has always been identified with its 80s songs, so
therefore a 4-track EP to freshen up and to accompany
them on what would be the "comeback tour"
Återtåget wouldn’t necessarily hide their earlier
hits. "Gå & Fiska!" turns out to be better
than "Det är över nu" and is the nineties
"Sommartider". Once again
p-o-w-e-r—p-o-p!! "Juni, juli, agusti" is
a midtempo-rock ballad while "Harplinge" and
"Faller Ner På Knä" are nearly hard-rock
stuff. GT find a new ID.
1996 - The Lonely Boys
Wow! A new project! GT and WilmerX in one. Per and Nisse
(it’s only fair to include him too) play together on
the soundtrack to a book in an old sixties fashioned way.
With old equipment they try and recreate the atmosphere
of a sixties band recording. And they really do! The very
beginning with "Lonely Boys" through the single
ballad "Flowers On The Moon" make it a new and
tasty change to what Gessle Music is about.
1997 - Återtåget
Well, no need to mention this one given that it is a live
recording from GT’s comeback tour. However, it gives
a nice idea of how GT sound like in ’96 playing
early 80s music. Rock & Roll!
1997 - The World According To Gessle
Per states it’s his "tribute to the
seventies". We should tribute it as "nineties
rocker". Per solo in English. Sort of Roxette but
without Marie. However, this time more of a powerpop
similar to the recent preceding Gyllene Tider tunes.
Electric, fun and very enjoyable. In fact an album which
wasn’t given the attention it deserved. A tremendous
beginning with 3-chord uptempo blasts. The album is very
much personal and indeed still shows love-themed songs,
even in uptempo, but Per also includes lyrics related to
his feelings towards life, his friends and family and the
world. A complete story of his beliefs, written and sung
on, and completed by three amazing videoclips.
"Stupid", "Do You Wanna be My Baby?",
"Saturday" and "Kix" present the
album as an uptempo album; but each one of them is
totally different to the other. The four ballads, of
which "I Want You To Know", "Wish You The
Best" and "I’ll Be Alright" are
perfectly merged inside the uptempo atmosphere while the
closing ballad basically is Per’s way of saying
"I’m finished". A secret track way after
the album has finished just had to be included showing a
nicer and jokey Per & Co. playing around in the
studio imitating Elvis.
1999 - Have A Nice Day
Considered as a Roxette comeback after a silence of 4
years excluding solo projects, rereleases and greatest
hits. In other words: new material. Individually, each
track has it’s push. "Pay The Price" to my
standards is the best. However, the album as a whole
loses itself in a sea of "ballad after ballad after
ballad" and dramatically including
"techno-like" tracks to liven up the sequence
of ballads. "Crush On You" and
"7Twenty7" deserve a merit award while
"Stars" (being one of Per’s favourites!)
should’ve stayed at home. The ballad version works
better. "You Can’t Put Your Arms Around
What’s Already Gone" entitled suspiciously like
Thunder’s "You Can’t Put Your Arms Around
A Memory" from 1978 sounds definitely like a track
bounced off his solo project two years earlier. A good
one. The rest of the album fine if you want to listen to
individual songs. Otherwise it gets a bit too tough to
listen to. Boring.
2001 - Room Service
Haha. Roxette needed to get back as Roxette.
"Roxette imitate Roxette" is what was heard
around "Room Service". Some say it’s the
best, other’s second best. Different tastes. Very
similar to Joyride style but with the modern tech around.
Very pop uptempo songs with some techno still beating
around in some. "Make My Head Go Pop" blends
this techno biz with rock guitar riffs. And
"Jefferson" reminds us that it is Gessle
running Roxette as a partly rock and not only pop band.
The ballads, although very much Gessleish, make
themselves sound better than many others from the past.
Specially "Milk And Toast And Honey" and
"My World, My Love, My Life" on Marie’s
back while Per on "It Takes You No Time To Get
Here"…how does he do it??!
2002 - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend & Bsides
In 2002, a tribute album to Joey Ramone (lead singer of
the Ramones who died the year before) was released by a
group of Swedish singers and artists influenced by the NY
punk band. Per chose to cover "I Wanna Be Your
Boyfriend" making of it a version and not an
imitation. Highly praised and incredibly well performed.
Definitely one of his best. The other bsides are also
very well approached.
2002 - A Thing About You / Breathe
<i>A new compilation called "The Ballad
Hits" released with all ballads since 1988. This
time Roxette decide to have Pr as lead singer. It was
said by Per himself before it was released that it was to
be a new power ballad (or at least that's what I
understood). Therefore, most of us were expecting a
power-ballad similar to "Fading Like a Flower"
or "It Must Have Been Love". Actually the album
itself shows the evolution of the ballads. Anyway,
"A Thing About You" is a very nice ballad, but
as always, it's just one other from Per's wardrobe. This
doesn't mean they're not nice or good. Cos they are. It
just means that most sound very much the same, though at
a top level. Basically, any ballad Per writes will turn
#1 on most European charts.</i>
"A Thing About You" therefore is a very soft
and simple ballad with introduction of a viola for the
first time. Breathe on the other hand is much more
powerful. Both the album version and the demo are stand
out as 'power-ballads'.
2003 - Opportunity Nox / Little Miss Sorrow
"Opportunity Nox" is a new electronic-rock
orientated pop song. "Easy 3-chord-pop" as Per
would describe it. This could actually well be considered
the equivalent of "The Look" in the 21st
Century for Roxette's discography. It is Roxette, it is
rock, it is powerful, it is new and modern. Well done.
"Little Miss Sorrow" is actually a 3/4 year old
song. A nice build-up. Starts as a ballad but then
surprises with a midtempo chorus. Jefferson's sister.
2003 - Mazarin
A new solo album (in Swedish). A new Per. The HUMAN Per;
the REAL one. An album which was recorded under his own responsibility.
No dates, no deals, no money. Just him and his feelings and thoughts.
A totally different atmosphere to that he has been sending through
Roxette or Gyllene Tider.
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