Day of the Robots

When American, British, Australian, and Irish music lovers check out the Stockholm club scene, they often feel right at home because so many Swedish artists sing in English exclusively. From jazz and blues to heavy metal, goth rock, and dance-pop, countless Swedish artists sing and write in English in the hope of getting some exposure in English-speaking markets. And in many cases, Swedish artists have no problem singing in perfect English. Listening to Day of the Robots, you would never know that the members of the Robots grew up in a country where Swedish is the primary language. The Robots sound like they could be American or British, and they play their fast, forceful, punk-minded garage rock/alternative rock with a lot of conviction. This CD isn't innovative or groundbreaking, but it's definitely focused and inspired; when the Swedes tear into loud-and-proud, riff-oriented numbers like "Speedway Child," "Instant Asshole," and "Juju Man," their enthusiasm is impossible to miss. While Day of the Robots isn't the most original album in the world, it always comes across as heartfelt.