The Virtues
Ruminate (2003)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 5/8/03

The Virtues are one of those bands that someday you'll hear in the background of a sappy TV show like Dawson's Creek or in an AT&T commercial and you'll spend hours on the internet looking for the name of the song and band. And when you find that CD, you'll also find yourself listening to it over and over again, wondering why everybody isn't listening to this.

Ruminate is the debut release by four talented lads from Sweden, who, according to their busy web itinerary, are solidly booked at every pub and private party between Stockholm and Amsterdam. I haven't been to Sweden lately to catch them live, but I imagine those fortunate enough to witness them perform have no choice but to purchase a CD on their way out the door. Poppy, melodic songs that I'm sure are best when performed live in a casual and fun environment.

The Virtues have taken on the formula of music that made the Replacements, the Lemonheads, or Buffalo Tom college campus favorites. Catchy addictive melodies and simple repetitive hooks draw you in, while a 1960s pop sound, reminiscent of the Beatles or the Monkeys, keeps you singing along to the beautiful harmonies.

Songs like "New Years Resolution", "Untitled", "Is That So?" and "Wrongdoer" with their clean acoustic guitar sounds, steady beats, and harmonious vocals, will have you humming and singing after the first listen. "Matchday" is a wonderful Beatlesque, pop tune. While "Crackleware" and "Die Happy" focus more on the vocals of Per Bergkvist, as they forego the pop beats for a more melancholy sound, reminding me of Oasis or Travis.

If you find yourself traversing Europe any time soon, consider a stop in Stockholm to catch The Virtues. If Sweden isn't in the plans, then a copy of Ruminate is probably the next best thing.