Video Premiere: The Mary Onettes: "Explosions"
To those of us who once had I'm From Barcelona's "We're From Barcelona" video on constant repeat, or who just the other day found ourselves sitting in rapt incomprehension in front of a stream of Swedish TV show Musikbyrån, it might seem like all Swedes pretty much resemble the thrift-shopping crowd at your average American indie-pop show. Judging by the latest video from Jönköping keyboard-and-guitars quartet the Mary Onettes, Swedish clothing styles were a little bit different 25 or so years ago. But not that different.
The clip for "Explosions", from the Mary Onettes' 2007 self-titled album on Labrador, rewinds to just about the time the group's obvious influences-- the Church, or the romantic side of the Cure-- got popular for their first go-round. The song's "Be My Baby" beat and "Just Like Honey"-like back-and-forth guitars throw the Jesus & Mary Chain into the mix, as well. "It could make your heart stop," goes the tender refrain, as nostalgic images of Swedes and their children flicker past like the opening credits of early-1990s sitcom "The Wonder Years". The video is a deft acknowledgement of how much the Mary Onettes owe to the past, from a group who were never shy about their debt in the first place.
[from The Mary Onettes; out now on Labrador]