Le Journal des Mouches: Helena Josefsson, backing singer at Tambourine Studios and Gula Studion (V): Righteous boy

Righteous Boy is the solo project of Magnus Sveningsson, bassist from Swedish rock group The Cardigans. Today he has released his first album in Sweden, I Sing Because of You.

"Righteous boy" was recorded at Tambourine Studios (Malmö, Sweden) and mastered by Björn Engelmann. Jens Jansson (drums) and Helena Josefsson (backing vocals) participated in many songs.

Tracklisting:
1 Loved Among Friends (3:45) - Single -
2 View From A Satellite (4:25)
3 No More Love (3:57)
4 Righteous Boy / Righteous Girl (4:04)
5 I Made It Hard For You To Love Me (3:34)
6 All My Evils (4:11)
7 I'm Not Shielded (1:10)
8 Elephant Man (4:35)
9 I Feel Apart (4:00)
10 Lone Among Friends (4:13)
11 Straight Song (4:06)
12 You Better Do Good (4:49)

Label: Future Farmer Recordings
Format: CD, Album
Released: 20 May 2003
Mastered By - Björn Engelmann
Magnus Sveningsson, of The Cardigans: co-producer, writer, vocals, bass (tracks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12), organ (8, 9, 10, 12), vibraphone (6, 9, 10, 11), melodica (9, 10), keyboards (2, 6) and drums (3, 4)
Henrik Andersson: producer, mastering, co-writer (1, 3, 4), bass (1), guitar (1, 3, 4, 6), backing vocals (1, 6, 8, 10), keyboards (1, 3, 4, 5, 9), piano (3, 5), violin (3)
Sebastian "Batti" Borg, of stockfinster: co-producer, guitar (2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12), syntheziser (8, 11, 12), organ (9), mandolin (2).
Michael Ilbert: mixing (tracks 1,2 and 5 to 12), horn arrangements (12)
Marco Manieri: mixing (3, 4)
Jens Jansson, of Brainpool: drums (1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12), horns (12)
Patrik Barstosch, of Eggstone: piano (1, 2, 10) , syntheziser (3), organ (11)
Nathan Larson: programming (3, 4), backing vocals (5, 9)
Stefan Kvarnström: programming (8, 9)
Petter Lindgård, of Gula Studion and The Mopeds: trumpet (2), horns (12)
Per Sunding, of Eggstone: recording of additional vocals (2, 6), bass (11)
Filip Runeson: cello and violin (5)
Helena Josefsson, of Sandy Mouche: backing vocals (2, 4, 11, 12)
Lina Johansson: backing vocals (3)
Claes Persson: co-writer (track 2)
Juanjo Passo: voice (8)

LJdM

Righteous Boy is actually bassist Magnus Sveningsson of Sweden’s Cardigans, a man-boy who approximates the emotional distress of Barry Manilow, the clever melodies of Prefab Sprout, and the doe-eyed romanticism of Jimmy Webb. Not that I Sing Because of You is purely derivative or without a pop persona — it’s a sincere pop production that has a classic feel. Sveningsson sings in a ceaseless whisper, the programmed symphonic music swelling around him as he expresses self-dissatisfaction, ennui, and empathy with the Elephant Man. But in misery comes beauty — the beauty of the eloquent "View from a Satellite," and "No More Love," a sputtering dub mix that at times brings to mind 10cc’s "I’m Not in Love." The disc picks up the pace for "Righteous Boy/Righteous Girl," a Eurotrash groover that could easily stand in for a lost Cardigans track. And the glockenspiel-filled "I Made It Hard for You To Love Me" is a gossamer whirligig that carries the softhearted yet poised Sveningsson right off into outer space.
Written by Ken Micallef
from Boston, U.S. - 13 June 2003 - The Phoenix Journal

The Cardigans have been in creative limbo since 1998's Gran Turismo, but not so its individual members. Following on the heels of projects by guitarist Peter Svensson and singer Nina Persson comes this solo effort by bassist Magnus Sveningsson, otherwise known as Righteous Boy.

These dozen low-key songs are mostly dark, emotionally wrought and intensely personal, chamber pop laden with Euro-lounge synths and then some. Sveningsson's voice often is a low rasp, a type of tuneful whisper that lulls you into paying attention, speak-singing confessions and observations. Burnt out by touring and going through a difficult time, Sveningsson began working on these songs at Malmo's Tambourine studios when it was free from bookings, enlisting help from many of his musician friends. He hadn't written songs in years, and had never before attempted singing solo. The results are moody, but not without charm, the kind of record that makes for great listening on a rainy afternoon. Helping out is Jens Jansson (Brainpool) on drums; Nathan Larson (Shudder to Think) on programming, some synthesizer, and backing vocals; Patrik Bartosch (Eggstone) on keyboards; and Henrik Andersson (Ray Wonder) on a number of instruments.

I Sing Because of You is chock full of reflections and accusations, assuming blame and then claiming blamelessness, a confusing jumble of mixed emotions. It is like having someone's personal diary set to music following a very painful relationship's end.
The lounge-y single "Loved among Friends" takes heart in the knowledge that friends see the good in him that he is blind to on his own.
"View from a Satellite" is a slow and trancelike musical haze, a confession of doing wrong mixed with an appreciation of a helpful friend.
The similarly slow-paced "No More Love" is a search for what is lost, a hanger's on wish to turn back time to undo errors made in a relationship.
"Righteous Boy/Righteous Girl" examines another failed relationship, with the girl ending everything.
There's lots of soul in the minimalist "I Made It Hard for You to Love Me". This is the rawest of personal confessions laid bare in song, painful in its honest struggle to try and figure what happened.
"All My Evils" continues this personal obsessing; Sveningsson now is beyond compassion, reduced to acting like a rock, eager to have his evils gone.
"I'm Not Shielded" tells us this: she moved on and he hasn't.
"Elephant Man" continues this melodrama -- he revels in his self-pity, sees himself as a freak on display.
This loner's self-alienation is echoed in "I Feel Apart": "I feel apart / But I try and I try for you / What a large defeat / When I'm measured there beside you / Such indifference / Aren't we treasured there inside you".
In an interesting musical transposition, Sveningsson takes the relatively upbeat "Loved Among Friends" into a slowed down and somber "Lone among Friends". This is a further trip down into depression and feeling alone, a low point that has "never happened before".
However, by "Straight Song" he is at a crossroads, pondering whether time will help heal his wounds: "There's an ocean between what you perceive and how I feel / I reason differently / But if you could see me through and if I let you to / I got lots of lots of love for you / Equal blessing, equal curse / Will I grow from here or to the worse".
By CD's end, Sveningsson is ready to advise others not to make the same mistakes he has made. In the soulful "You Better Do Good", he warns that only good will lead to having someone to hold, and asks others to "Better do good before you're bitter and alone".
Throughout, small elements -- Wurlitzers, synths, loops, trumpets, and the trippy female backing vocals (Helena Josefsson) so popular in Europe -- add charm to these otherwise downtrodden songs. These varied elements are mixed well by Michael Ilbert. If sad heartbroken musings of achingly honest pain set to chamber pop music is your thing, Righteous Boy is manna from heaven. This mellow collection has delicious moments that elevate it above mere moping; it's great for that rainy day. I Sing Because of You lets us know that not only was Magnus Sveningsson hurt, but that he also has the talent to turn it into likeable fare.

Written by Gary Glauber
from the United States 14 August 2003 - PopMatters