First Aid Kit - The Big Black & The Blue *** (out of five)

Anyone familiar with Klara and Johanna Soderberg’s version of Fleet Foxes Tiger Mountain Peasant Song on YouTube  will probably already be in love with these Swedish sisters before hearing this, their debut album following on from the brilliant Drunken Trees EP.

Although they are both not yet twenty (born 1990 and 1993 respectively) they clearly have their heads screwed on when it comes to positioning themselves in the market.  It is refreshing to see a young group who write and perform their own songs with such belief.  The duo’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/thisisfirstaidkit) clearly marks out their feelings on why they make their music: “We aim for the hearts, not the charts”.  The Big Black & The Blue is a clear example of how they intend to back up this statement. 

In all honesty , these are simple back porch songs with subtle glimpses of instruments other than the acoustic guitar: minimal percussion, mandolin, xylophone, and organ -but there is something more to these folksy ballads that conjures the cliché ‘old souls’.  If you don’t have a back porch available then put this on in the evening and just let it play, it’s an honest album that will sit well with you whether doing the washing up or if you are suffering the breakup blues.

 Lyrically the songs look at topics most young people want to know the answers to: religion, love, and politics.  It’s the delivery of these lyrics that add feeling, sorrow, and passion to this album.  The charms of their vocal harmonies greet you right from the start of In the Morning and are shimmering right through to Wills of the River.  The standout harmonies appear on Sailor Song, Heavy Storm, the mournful Ghost Town, and Winter is All Over You.  However, even the strong vocal work can’t hide the weaker tracks.  The opening chords of Hard Believer sound almost too commercial and folk-pop for this album and it was no surprise to see this pop up as a promo video months ago.  New single I Met Up With The King is a dark fairytale that feels rushed and doesn’t really go anywhere.   Reading deeper into the bored and irritated “Well Thank God” at the end of the final verse could hint at the tiring journey they have been on since posting that famous cover on YouTube two years ago. 

How the Soderberg sisters build on the stripped back feel that is on The Big Black & The Blue will be interesting.  Admirable as it is to have not compromised their style it seems more depth might be needed on future releases.   The collection of songs First Aid Kit now have is impressive but limited and if they can expand their style then they have a very bright future.


Check out their blog here: http://firstaidkitmusic.tumblr.com/

Ya Diggin'? Then try these: Fleet Foxes, Megafaun, Iron & Wine