(2-CD set) In these troubled times, artists seriously consider to stop making CDs and just release songs on myspace or itunes or whatever. Swedish singer/songwriter Richard Lindgren goes the other way. His fourth album "A Man You Can Hate" is a double CD with 18 new original songs. The music might be traditional in the Dylan/The Band/Young/Springsteen sense, but Richard Lindgren reaches new levels as a singer and as a songwriter. We're not talking any light hearted feel-good songs here. In his songs Lindgren deals with love, hatred, loss, self loathing, doubt, dreams and nightmares. It's dark, almost scary, but still enjoyable in a strange way. Much thanks to the dark humor.
And even more thanks to the excellent musicians and the work of Lindgren and co-producer and engineer Magnus Norrenberg. The sound of "A Man You Can Hate" is warm and comfortable, yet with an edge.