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The Social Services, It's Nothing Personal, It's National Security

It's Nothing Personal, It's National Security

STKCD020

Artist: The Social Services
Label: Stereo Test Kit Records
External Link: Stereo Test Kit Records
10/6/08 MP3 (320 kbit)
USD 12.00 Buy Gift Item

The Social Services are two thirds Glaswegian and one third Swedish, so that explains their combined love of nature and cholesterol. Their nomadic lifestyle and frustration with the world around inspire them to write songs about: war, death, consumerism, immigration, storage solutions, potatoes and swimming. They rant without being shouty and love it when everybody joins in on the sing-a-long choruses.

Based in Stockholm, they combine a songwriting tradition and melancholy of their Scottish roots, with the melody and playfulness of Swedish indie-pop. They create music with a brain, that makes you want to dance around without thinking.

"People say there are punk elements to our music - like the short, snappy songs, the instrument swapping, the political lyrics and the energy of the live set. But we don't look very punk. We're pregnant (some of us) and quite clean."

The Social Services' debut album was recorded in Sweden in the Spring of 2008, with Gustaf Spetz (Eskju Divine) at the controls. Stereo Test Kit celebrated the arrival with Irn Bru and Daim; and Scotch Whisky and Swedish Vodka for good measure.

With a sound that's both out of the ordinary and warmly familiar, The Social Services have been compared to: Regina Spektor, Saint Etienne, Television Personalities and early Cardigans, with a melancholy touch of Mogwai.

"Cute, not cloying, more bittersweet than sweet and overall, incredibly charming." - It's A Trap!

"Their sound is very melodramatic with hints of drama and melancholy. The songs are very well thought out and come tightly wrapped with some rather fine melodies." - indie-mp3

"The best thing I've heard all year is the new song by The Social Services called The Baltic Sea ... a diverse musical palate with traces of Scottish folk, gypsy music, and circus sounds." - swedeplease.net

The Social Services are: Emma Naismith - bass/piano/vocals, Lucy Cathcart - piano/bass/vocals, Martin Frödén - drums/guitar/vocals.

01 - The Baltic Sea (3:43) Play Buy USD 1.20
02 - Folkan (2:44) Play Buy USD 1.20
03 - Up in arms (2:33) Play Buy USD 1.20
04 - Hailstones (3:34) Play Buy USD 1.20
05 - Everyone's breathing at the same time (3:31) Play Buy USD 1.20
06 - Garmoshka (3:00) Play Buy USD 1.20
07 - Seven dwarves (2:17) Play Buy USD 1.20
08 - Medium pop ballad (3:46) Play Buy USD 1.20
09 - You are my sunshine (3:21) Play Buy USD 1.20
10 - La Belle Angele (3:01) Play Buy USD 1.20
11 - Electric Brae (2:53) Play Buy USD 1.20

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