Hailing from Sweden, the quartet
Souls has little in common with the more successful, international acts from that country.
Bird, Fish or Inbetween is just over half an hour of guitar-heavy alternative rock. Lead singer/guitarist Cecilia Nordlund has an engaging, little-girl voice that is capable of
Björk-like shrieks. The music might be a bit grunge-influenced at times, but there's a definite pop sensibility on tracks like the seductive, confrontational "Cello (Where You Were)" and the
Steve Albini-produced "Simplicity." The lyrics range from charmingly schizophrenic on "The Girl on My Couch' and "Cello" to vindictive on the aptly named "Toxic," but even the anger expressed in many songs ("Fuckmonkey," "T.N.C.Q.") is tinged with a child-like quirkiness that is endearing.
Bird, Fish or Inbetween is a deliciously noisy and engaging release that strikes some nerves without taking itself too seriously.