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Metro
POP Sophie Zelmani "Precious Burden" (Sony) When Sophie Zelmani
releases the sequel to her Grammy rewarded debut-album she has found a
personal, sincere and quiet expression which touches deeply. Zelmani takes
the listener on a country-smelling walk and tells stories about missing,
good-byes and longing. With Precious Burden she takes a big step forward
and together with Stina Nordenstam she becomes one of the most interesting
Swedish female artists.
by Adam Nilsson
Nöjesguiden
It shouldn't work one more time. That her debut-album became so good could
be explained with the factors 1) extraordinary talent 2) that Sophie was
so musically "undestroyed" and 3)Lars Halapi. The extremely
talented producer went in spin over an artist that didn't even have a
record-collection, but had an enormous integrity when it came to her songs.
The talent is off course still there but I must admit that I never thought
that it would be possible to do the trick one more time, to make the music
sound so fresh and, sorry if I repeat myself, undestroyed. Looking for
tracks of gold records, foreign PR-trips and media surveillance that she
apparently hates but finds nothing. It's still just a young woman and
her songs; songs that means everything for her. And Lars Halapi is still
just as tender and caring in his production, even though he adds some
strange whiplash sounds in Got to Stop and a deeper tone than usual in
Foolish and Leaving. The texts are, if possible, even simpler than on
the debut-album - and for those who wish, this time it's even easier to
ironies over the standardized symbolic and the naive touch. But Zelmani's
strength hardly lies in her poetic ability, but in the way she approaches
the words: gently, sad and sensual. I always become sad by listening to
Precious Burden. I think that it's a very good mark.
By Martin Jönsson
Kristianstadsbladet
Sometimes it hard to point at what makes you get
caught by a line of text or emotionally touched by a song. Sophie Zelmani
is one of those artists. Her songs force me to stop and listen, to take
the time. Why is that? Honesty perhaps. The music is Sophie Zelmani's
way of expressing herself. The songs comes from the heart, they are pure
and simple. The words are not just words and it's probably the honesty
and courage to expose her feelings that touches so strong. Few artists
are as present in their lyrics and melodies as Sophie Zelmani is. On the
second album, Precious Burden, the tone is somewhat duller than on the
debut two and a half years ago. The lyrics are mostly about love and good-byes.
The result is not as easy to absorb. The opening track "Leaving"
is one of the best tracks on the album with distant strings and Zelmani's
voice very close. The last song "Who I am" is a beautiful love
song, with trumpet, guitar and bass. Now as then has Sophie Zelmani had
a close co-operation with the musician and producer Lars Halapi. She stands
for the melodies, he for the instrumental frame. A co-operation that continues
to bear fruit.
by Maria Nilsson
Kvällsposten
We have already heard and been impressed by the debut. But I didn't think
it was possible for a Swedish artist to release an album like Precious
Burden. Shawn Collins and the other folklore divas will listen with envy.
Grown men like Ry Cooder and Mark Knoppfler will be impressed. This is
perhaps the best that's been recorded in Sweden in modern time. Already
a classic but you have to wait to the third of April, when the album is
released.
by Olle Berggren
