Search - Bwo :: Halcyon Days

Camp done right

R O C K E T | The Twin Cities, MN | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ah yes, the missing link between Abba and Scissor Sisters. This stuff is so sugary-sweet it can give you cavities. That may not necessarily sound like a good thing, but these guys make cheesy, campy pop that is actually really good - and ridiculously catchy!



Contrary to what the other reviewer said, this album doesn't stray far from the first. The major difference is that it sounds more mature and the production quality has been improved upon. It's the same overall vibe as the first - but perfected. The songs here seem more complete and richer than on Prototype, and are simply better in my opinion. Most of the songs are still very euro-disco, but like the first album there are a few mid-tempo tracks along with a couple ballads. I happen to be a sucker for their ballads, corny as they are. "Will My Arms Be Strong Enough" and "We Could Be Heroes" are so over-the-top that I would be horribly embarrassed if someone heard me listening to them not knowing the context. They sound like they belong on one of those '80s love song compilations (which I happen to also be a sucker for). However, when you are aware that the band is fully aware and that these are tongue-in-cheek, they are actually really good, ultra-fun songs (that I can't NOT belt out in my car). In fact, they're probably my two favorites on the album.



Whereas the first album had a couple tracks that were almost too over-the-top even for me ("European Psycho" and "Gone"), Halcyon Days is great from beginning to end. My favorites are the opening disco monster "Chariots of Fire," the funky midtempo "Hanging On the Phone," the Moroccan-flavored "Marrakech," the relatively contemporary "Haunted," and the two ballads I already mentioned.



For some reason, though, they tack on four tracks from Prototype onto the end. Why? I don't know. It's annoying. Fortunately, they picked four really good songs.



So if you have a sweet tooth and have been waiting for Abba to be resurrected from the grave, this is the album for you. You may become as addicted as I have."

New style

platonica | Sweden | 05/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Spring 2005, BWO released their debut album, Prototype. It really blew Sweden away, and it is still one of my favourite albums. When Halcyon Days was released, I sort of expected Prototype II, and was disappointed at first when the album didn't meet the expectations. They have changed, from disco-style to a more romantic one. I guess change was necessary, if the audience was not to be bored, but the change was pretty radical.



After the initial slight disappointment, I listened to the album a few times anyway. It really grows on you, the songs are really really good in their own right. In Sweden, they have played Temple of Love on the radio like crazy for two months now, you will either fall helplessly in love with it, or it will annoy the life out of you. The follow-up single, We Could Be Heroes, is a true chick-magnet. Any female teenager who has seen Martin Rolinski will melt when he sings "We could be lovers you and I" (sorry gals, he's taken). It also contains a cover of Obsession, the old Army of Lovers song. Then there are a few ballads, two songs with really nice rythm, and a couple of more typical up-tempo BWO songs.



What else is there to say? Sweet Marina seems to be more involved now. You get to see more of her in interviews now than last year when she left dealing with media to the guys. Alexander causes scandals frequently, and upholds his short-pants habit. Martin is more gorgeous than ever, and has become really good at dealing with media.



Halcyon Days IS good, but it is NOT like Prototype. Some say it's better, but I'm not sure I agree; they're too different to make valid comparisons."

Pop Perfection Ear Confection

Dag | Santa Fe, NM | 03/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Halcyon Days by BWO is a fantastic cd - they are like Dream Academy on steroids plus Scissor Sisters transported to the 80's (as opposed to the 70 they are in) divided by Hedwig and the Angry Inch but no longer angry. Really BWO is great enough not to be compared to anyone, but sadly in the US they have not made much of a mark. If you enjoy brilliant pop songs then you need to buy this cd, it is really worth the price. If in the 80s you were drunk on Rick Astley/WHAM/Bananarama/Depeche Mode/Kylie Minogue etc. then this CD is the jolt your aging psyche needs!"