Richard Öhrn

Sounds In English

Big Stir Records

Öhrn is best known for his work with In Deed. This is his first solo album. It’s very much a one man band, as in addition to playing on and producing all the songs, he took the photos for the cover art, and assembled the press kit.

The music is adult singer/songwriter, chamber pop, and power pop--very warm and intimate, and great. This is good music to think to, as the lyrics are very contemplative, and at times hurt, like on “Take This Bottle” and “If I Could Read Your Mind,” both breakup songs, and chiming, jangly rockers.

At other times the lyrics are happy, for instance “I Choose You,” which makes the album well-rounded. The guitars aren’t Rickenbacker’s, but a Burns 12-string, and Hagstrom electric and Bjärton acoustic guitars, so there is no purism here musically, but blends can be wonderful, more sounds to work with.

So if any of this is what you like, I would try this. In Deed fans will like this too, or anyone who wants someone different and smart.

Andrea Weiss