Although the Hydra Head label is usually associated with noise bands, there are a few exceptions, such as the 2005 release by Logh, A Sunset Panorama. When you think of "melodic alternative rock" circa the early 21st century, mediocre/same-sounding bands that rule the radio immediately come to mind, but this Swedish outfit shows that it certainly doesn't have to be that way. Picture Sonic Youth reborn as an emo band -- thanks to the sullen vocals and sparse guitar lines -- and you come close to what Logh sounds like. For the group's third release overall, Logh wanted to try a new approach, so they hunkered down for six months, rehearsing steadily. They then entered the recording studio with producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt (best known for his work with the Hives, Sahara Hotnights, etc.), where they recorded the complete album in a ten-hour span -- supposedly only breaking for lunch. The plan worked, as Logh have assembled their best album yet, on the strength of such standouts as "Destinymanifesto," which features some very Thurston Moore-like vocals from Mattias Friberg, and "Asymmetric Tricks," which includes some nice xylophone touches. For a while, it looked like the Hives were the best rock export to come out of Sweden in some time. But with A Sunset Panorama, Logh may soon be getting the nod. ~ Greg Prato

Rovi