Long Gone Before Daylight

Infobox Album
Name = Long Gone Before Daylight
Type = studio
Artist = The Cardigans


Released = March 19 2003
Recorded = 2002
Genre = Country rock, pop
Length = 49:16
Label = Stockholm Records
Producer = Per Sunding and The Cardigans. Originally co-produced by Tore Johansson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kqknikksbb59 link]
*Pitchfork (6.5/10) [http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/16021/Cardigans_Long_Gone_Before_Daylight 6/16/2004]
*Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau|hm1 [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=The+Cardigans link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/5204789/review/6085656?utm_source=Rhapsody&utm_medium=CDreview 6/24/2004]
*Slant Magazine Rating|4|5 [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=449 link]
Last album = "Gran Turismo"
(1998)
This album = "Long Gone Before Daylight"
(2003)
Next album = "Super Extra Gravity"
(2005)

"Long Gone Before Daylight" is the fifth studio album by The Cardigans. After a long hiatus from their last album in 1998 (with members of the band experimenting with other projects), it was finally released in Japan on March 19 2003 and in Europe on March 24 2003. Later it was also released in Canada (April 22 2003) and the rest of North America (May 25 2004).

The album differs from the band's earlier works. Their familiar "happy" pop sound takes on a change to pop songs with more of an American country music influence. It is relatively a much darker album than their previous works, and more quiet than the noisier "Gran Turismo". Indeed, even lead singer Nina Persson dyed her once light blonde hair to jet black, reflecting the band's change of mood. [Amelia McDonell-Parry. [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/5204789/review/6085656?utm_source=Rhapsody&utm_medium=CDreview "Long Gone Before Daylight : The Cardigans : Review"] , "Rolling Stone", 2004-07-24]

Criticism was mixed. Some found the change of direction welcome, and felt the band had matured, making songs that were even better than other experienced country-pop styled artists. Others missed the old pop sound, and accused the band of possibly being ashamed of their former "happy" pop sound.

The first single of the album, "For What It's Worth" was released in February 17 2003. The second single was "You're the Storm" released in June 2 2003. The third and final single was "Live and Learn" released in December 3 2003.

Track listing

All songs written by Nina Persson and Peter Svensson, except where noted.

# "Communication" – 4:28
# "You're the Storm" – 3:53
# "A Good Horse" – 3:17
# "And Then You Kissed Me" – 6:03
# "Couldn't Care Less" – 5:32
# "Please Sister" – 4:37
# "For What It's Worth" – 4:16
# "Lead Me into the Night" – 4:32
# "Live and Learn" – 4:16
# "Feathers and Down" – 4:30
# "03.45: No Sleep" – 3:45

Japanese and Canadian editions bonus track

#

"If There Is a Chance" – 4:14

UK edition bonus tracks

#

"Hold Me" (mini version) – 0:33
# "If There Is a Chance" – 4:14

U.S. edition bonus tracks

#

"Hold Me" (mini version) – 0:33
# "If There Is a Chance" – 4:14
# "For the Boys" (Larson, Persson, Svensson) – 3:37

The U.S. edition also features a bonus DVD, "Up Before Dawn", featuring the music videos for "For What It's Worth", "You're the Storm" and "Live and Learn", live video recordings of three songs as well as a 20 minute interview with the band.

Charts, awards and certifications

Album

*Swedish Top 100 Album: #1
*Swedish Top 100 Albums 2004 Year-end Chart: #4
*UK Top 200 Albums: #47
*Swedish Grammis Awards 2003: Album of the Year and Rock-group of the Year.
*Certification in Sweden: 2x Platinum

ingles

*Swedish Top 100 Singles: "For What It's Worth"; #8, "You're the Storm"; #10
*Swedish Top 100 Singles 2004 Year-end Chart: "For What It's Worth"; #90
*UK Top 75 Singles: "For What It's Worth"; #31, "You're the Storm"; #74
*Swedish Grammis Awards 2003: Best Video for "You're the Storm"

Notes and references

External links

* [http://static.cardigans.com/microsites/long.gone.before.daylight Long Gone Before Daylight microsite]
* [http://cardigans.marvelhill.vze.com/longgone.html "Long Gone Before Daylight" special] at Marvelhill
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thecardigans/discography The Cardigans' discography] at "Rolling Stone"
* [http://www.ifpi.se/ IFPI Sweden]