Prime(sth) is a Swedish quartet (the (sth) stands for Stockholm) that was formed about 12 years ago, when its members were very, very young. Now in their mid-twenties, these poprockers release their first full-length album, ‘Underneath the Surface’. According to singer/guitarist Noa Moden they never felt like they belonged to Sweden, with its love for rap and dance music, but to the United States. And they do sound like an American band. Maybe even a little bit too much. Don’t get me wrong, I do like this album. It’s filled with great melodies, uplifting songs with a melancholic touch. Moden’s voice is rich and powerful, and great when it’s combined with guitarist Martin Palsson’s backing vocals. Most of the songs have a drive that makes me want to get up and dance around. The lyrics are introspective and multi-interpretable, which is a good thing in my opinion.

So what’s the “but”? Well, it just sounds too slick, too unoriginal, and ready for mass-consumption. It’s easy to digest. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, but personally I like music better when it’s a little more challenging, daring and experimental. If all artists would make albums like this, music would sound the same and stay the same forever. So great hit-potential and certainly a very pleasant album to listen to, but lacking originality and a sound of their own. Maybe their next album will bring something new… ‘Underneath The Surface’ will be out July 1, 2002. Before then, the singles “I Don’t Envy You”, mixed by Andy Wallace (Linkin Park, System of a Down) an “I’m Stupid (Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me)”, mixed by Tom Lord-Age (Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson) will be released.