Now how's this for an obscure, overlooked gem?
Cobolt was formed in Umeå, Sweden in 1996 and featured several members of the sprawling northcore scene, including Refused bassist Magnus Björklund, here as singer, guitarist and main songwriter.
There were also some members from Blithe, another band lost in the hazy shadows of time, never to be found again. They had a cool song called I Guess Yes, check it out.
Eleven Storey Soul Departure was their debut album, one they were never able to top, although 1998's Spirit On Parole came really close. I've seen Cobolt being described as both "sadcore" and "slowcore", but with music this sad and slow you gotta wonder why you'd even bother with the "core" part.
They had a sound not a million miles away from fellow northeners Fireside's calmer moments. Perhaps a bit of Slint, Chokebore and Red House Painters in there as well? Yeah, maybe a little. And somehow I can't help but hear a certain kinship with current Swedish bands, such as Khoma and Logh. Maybe even Kent. Emotional without turning into emo, melancholic without getting depressing.
Songs moving at a glacier pace with only the occasional outburst of distortion, and often performed in such a restrained manner you'd almost think they were recording it at home and didn't want to bother the neighbours.
Vocals so hushed you'd think Björklund recorded them in the middle of the night, terrified of waking anyone up. But with lyrics like "I want to dive into your ocean", perhaps it was not such a bad idea to keep them low in the mix. Although the song with that particular corny line is a cover, so I can't fault them for that.
I used to have this on repeat for years back in high school. Found it in a dusty old box the other week and to my suprise it still held up. Most certainly a forgotten masterpiece.
If you're ever in the mood for feeling sorry for yourself and going for a long walk in the rain, make sure this is in your headphones.
(mp3) Cobolt - Symbols and signs (recommended)
(mp3) Cobolt - Here comes the rain again
(mp3) Cobolt - Words into nothing
Buy it.
The video for Symbols And Signs:
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