Warm up to Holst's 'Romantika'

Published: Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 1:40 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

Happy 2009!

I hope your holidays were enjoyable, safe and happy.

There's nothing like starting off a new year with a new outlook and a good deal of optimism.

Which brings me to a new CD I have been enjoying for a few days. It's Anders Holst's "Romantika."

Holst is a New York-based singer/songwriter who hails from Sweden. And his style of music is adult contemporary with a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure.

"Romantika," which will be officially released Jan. 20, showcases his clean, no-frills vocals, and it highlights his smooth collaborative compositions. All of the songs on "Romantika" are original. Holst wrote the lyrics; he wrote the music with Mats Bystrom.

Holst also co-produced the CD with Bystrom, Alar Suurna and Jerker Eklund and gave the CD continuity.

Story continues below

There is a lot to like about "Romantika." It's easy to picture lofty penthouses overlooking big city blocks when "All About Soul" kicks off the CD. However, the track list — which also features dynamics tunes such as "Make It Shine," "Tainted Shots," "Innocent & Blue" and "Two Sides" — can also be heard comfortably wrapped up in a warm down comforter in a little two-bedroom apartment on a snowy winter night.

Holst's crafty lyrics are both nostalgic and soothing.

The only complaint, albeit small, is the fact that most of the songs have a similar delivery.

There isn't a lot of diversity when it comes to the feel of the songs.

Still, if adult-contemporary listeners want to hear a new voice, they should check out Anders Holst's "Romantika."

E-mail: scott@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

RedShirt, interesting e-mail from Kevin I was wondering, though, what was...

How easily you forget - Serbian genocide against Bosnia. Serbs = Christians,...

all religions should be ousted from the public square. religion is as...

Pitta doesn't win award

"The award is about the best tight end in college football this year, NOT...

As much as I want to have Unga back next year, I think it would be a good...

Oh my gosh this is my great grandma wow!!!!!! Thats so cool.

BCS did TCU a favor?

Nice analysis. Just what are the terms of your guarantee? If we put...

Ronnie Price is as big a character guy as you will find anywhere in the NBA....

Pitta doesn't win award

I am sure Utah's trophy case looks like a hall closet compared to BYU's show...

Utah needs good examples

Utah tends to be pretty insular and exclusive. If you are a non-Mormon...

Advertisements