Falling in Love and Misery with Lykke Li's "Wounded Rhymes"

I had no idea what a Lykke Li was, sounded like something a bully might do to another kid in grade school. Turns out it is a lady making some emotionally powerful music. The first song I heard from her was "Get Some" as it was played on the local rock station. I was not instantly impressed, but decided to check out the rest the album from which it came: "Wounded Rhymes." I am very happy I did, even if the music is downer music to some.

My notes on the songs will be shared below, I would point out which ones I think are the best here, but that is going to be an ever changing journey for me because I really enjoyed this album and almost all of its content. Okay, I will currently state that "Sadness Is a Blessing" and "I Know Places" are the frontrunners in my mind. This is one to add to the collection.

"Youth Knows No Pain": This song feels like a darker take on something groovy from another time, we're talking shag carpets, bead curtains, and hard drugs that make the bright colors of everything else a little scary. 'ËœCome On Get Down" is what the singer implores you to do and states "youth knows no pain." I feel this conveys the silly sense of invincibility we feel when we are younger and ready to get down with anything and there is a hint that numb is not how we shall remain.

"I Follow Rivers": What could be slightly boring is saved by easy on the ears and seductive production tones. I am won over by it as it progresses.

"Love Out Of Lust": Haunting, but somewhat upbeat and lovely.

"Unrequited Love": It is a very simple song lyrically and though not exactly similar I almost felt like it was going to break out into REM's song "Everybody Hurts." In one part it suddenly adds in some background "doowop" style vocals, interesting, and once again a lovely song.

"Get Some": A song that gets airplay on rock stations, the vibe reminds me of the oldies song "Walk Like An Egyptian." Really, it feels like the song musically was influenced by "Walk Like An Egyptian." Lyrically though it is on a different plane perhaps, and these are what set this song apart from the weaker sex infused pop songs of other female artists of current popularity. Lykke is serious and intelligent sounding and connected to the music.

"Rich Kids Blues": This tune has a melody that reminds me of a song by the rock band called Brand New, don't know which song off the top of my head. The melody of which I speak is the organ music that opens the song and returns throughout, others have felt the sound familiar as well, but cite different musical sources. I think this is a song that is sold on the singer's personality, probably more interesting live.

"Sadness Is A Blessing": Another song that seems like it hails from another time period, like a pop ballad from the 50's, yet injected with a modern darkness somehow. Or perhaps time has no hold on darkness, there was some of this vibe to the old song "Leader Of The Pack." This is kind of like "Chapel Of Love" meets "Leader Of The Pack" with a different message. Beautiful song.

"I Know Places": Lykke Li's singing is a haunting echo through most of the songs and on this sad, slow song I am confused as to why she does not come across as monotonous, but she has me under her spell once again. You listen to this song, alone in the night, embracing the sadness as Lykke does in the previous song "Sadness Is A Blessing."

"Jerome": If anything this is the weakest song thus far because I am not named Jerome and do not have a personal connection to anyone named as such ha ha.

"Silent My Song": Solid stuff, at risk of being lost in the mix if you listened through the album straight through, it is not until this point that I felt something blended in too much to stand ut alone. However, it is still has the elements that makes the other songs lovely and thus is not without hope as I will listen to it ore in the future and perhaps fall in love with the lyrics and have a moment.