SADMAN 9TH AND LAST LIFE ALBUM MEMENTO MATERIA RELEASE: FEBRUARY 12, 2010 REVIEW: MARCH 3, 2010

Swedish duo Sadman emerged two years ago and had a vision to build a bridge between Depeche Mode, The Cure and Radiohead. In many ways they succeeded, displaying fragments of genius, but debut album "Cold In the State of Me" had very little impact on the scene in 2008, perhaps falling between chairs. Will their new creation hurdle them into the frontline of melancholic pop?

Well, yes and no. If they get substantial promotional backing I can see them appeal to a large crowd as "9th and Last Life" has the depth and sound of a modern pop band. On the other hand, their gloom and anonymity speak against them. This album, while being proclaimed differently, is very much "Cold in the State of Me" part two and they run the risk of not catching the attention of the people who ignored them the last time.

Still, well crafted rockish electropop is what Lars Fernström and Mattias Räftegård do best, albeit with strands of tediousness from time to time. It might not help them achieve their goals.

NIKLAS FORSBERG