The best pop music is often created in remote areas where trends are hardly noticed or not at all. This is also the case in cold Norway, where idiosyncratic bands like Motorpsycho, Royksopp and Madrugada come from. The latter band has built up a considerable fan base in Europe with its two first albums (Industrial Science and The Nightly Disease) and convincing live performances. The enchanting rock
… of the foursome can be placed in the long tradition of The Rolling Stones, The Stooges, REM and The Tragically Hip: bands with a clear frontman and solid rock songs, which can also convince a medium-sized hall or festival area 'live'. The third album Grit reports on a busy period in which the band toured a lot, with the usual destabilizing influences on the relational plane as a result. The songs sound more desolate than ever and Madrugada has grown into a rare close playing band due to the many performances. (MS)more
