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Channeling the wooly Danish Vikings who took to icy seas and ravaged half of Europe, FIGURINES are new historians teaching sold-out Scandinavian audiences to file their jagged helmet horns with crisp guitars and rolling melodies, surfing perfectly on back-beat modern waves.
Formed in the mid-90’s by youngsters, Figurines started out with inspirations of both British and American alternative rock, slowly turning into a very talented quartet in their own right. In front are guitarist Christian Hjelm’s characteristic high-pitched vocals that are backed by a power-driven setup of tearing, melodic guitar riffs and bass. There is no need for additional effects layered upon their music. It’s plug’n’play, baby — crisp and clean.
Figurines self-released their debut EP, The Detour, in 2002 quickly signing to Morningside Records in Denmark, and the release in Spring 2003, of FIGURINES first indie-label powered full-length, Shake A Mountain. The album produced blasted an alternative radio hit with, “Bright”, shining down from the #1 chart position on Danish National Radio.
In 2005, Figurines released their second full-length album, Skeleton and was picked up by Seattle based label The Control Group who put out the album stateside in March ‘06. It would take yet another year before the album came out in the UK, after Everything But The Girl’s Ben Watt found out about the album through Pitchfork Media and went to buy the album at the local Rough Trade, who, of obvious reasons, didn’t have it in stock. Skeleton delivered 3- minute pop gems and included the hit singles, ”Silver Ponds”, “I Remember” and “The Wonder” of which the latter made it to Pitchforks annual top 100 single tracks..
After returning from a successful US tour with Tapes ‘N Tapes and Cold War Kids, Figurines returned to Denmark to start working on their third full-length album. In the meantime a few changes had seen the day of light. Bass player and original member, Andreas Toft, decided to focus on his studies and take up volleyball again. The live guitarist, Mads Kjaergaard, took over the bass and joining Jens Ramon on keys, with guitarist Claus. S. Johansen, drummer Kristian Volden and guitarist/vocalist Christian Hjelm.
When The Deer Wore Blue shows Figurines have a strong affection for ‘60’s sounds, but unlike many other Scandinavian bands, who are influenced by pre-punk and/or garage bands like the Sonics, the Seeds or the Who, Figurines love for the sixties lies in melodies like those created by the Zombies, Love and The Beach Boys. Pop in When The Deer Wore Blue and what you’ll find is the sound of a band who has, not only, figured out just what they do best, but exactly how to do it. The album is brimming with the atmosphere of the felling of lowering sun and the smell of a newly cut lawn that it only makes sense to release it during the last days of summer, in hope that this feeling might last forever. When The Deer Wore Blue oozes of good vibrations built upon lush, intricate arrangements.
