Peter von Poehl
Going To Where The Tea Trees Are
Speak n Spell


Sweden seems to have been producing a few heartfelt singer/ songwriters recently, with the global success of Jose Gonzales setting a precedent hard to top. Sweden's latest softly strummed export comes in the form of Peter von Poehl and an album full of interesting arrangements and mostly strong songwriting.

The opener Going Where The Tea Trees Are sets the mood nicely, with it's tightly miked drums, strong functional basslines and woozy psychedelic keyboards. Von Poehl's voice cuts through the mix clearly and pleasantly, though your love and/ or hate of this album will be entirely dependent on what you think of his Jonathon Donahue meets Donovan-on-helium tone.

A definite sense of retro gloriously shines through on the Sixties English folk sound of Tooth Fairy and the chamber pop of Travellers. However, where 'Going To Where The Tea Trees Are' really succeeds are in songs such as Virgin Mountain with it's wandering tuba lines and folksy flutes and the wavering Global Conspiracy with it's dense (sometimes almost dub-like) horn arrangements reminiscent of those on Bjšrk's 'Volta'.

Mention must also be made of the contribution of Christoffer Lundquist, whose slippery, funky basslines give most tracks a real sense of groove and take the album out into unexplored territory. The chiming synths on closer The Bells Tolls Five likewise add layers of interest, and combined with marching military snares and swampy bass tones take the album out on a much darker, grittier tone, once again greatly enhanced by a strong brass presence.

Whilst the sometimes claustrophobic production techniques occasionally spoil the overall mood, it's a minor point, and 'Going To Where The Tea Trees Are' announces the arrival of another major talent from the distant Swedish shores.

Patrick Lang