Kent

[lepreshaun]

There don't seem to be any significant English-language Kent sites out there, and my Swedish is far from perfect, so I'll try to start this thread here.

I bought the English version of Isola (promo copy) in 98 or 99 for a couple of dollars that a local radio station was selling on State St in Madison. I still don't remember where I first head "If you were here", but it sounded very eerie & familiar when I listened to it. I read the linear notes and found out they were from Sweden. I had recently finished my 3rd semester of Swedish in college and liked the music so much that I bought all of their other releases (Verkligen, s/t, B-Sidor). I always tried to translate the lyrics in my head, but I didn't know enough words/phrases to make too much sense of it. Anyway, Hagnesta Hill was released in English, which I bought right away. Then Vapen & Ammunition was released, but only in Swedish. I downloaded most of the songs, and then in Oct 2002, I vacationed in Europe with a friend for a while. We had a friend living in Trondheim Norway who was also a Kent fan (and a Muse fan, which I discovered later) and Kent just so happened to be opening their tour the night we got to Trondheim (in Trondheim), so we had tickets ready for us. (Many many thanks to Axel!)

I tell you, that was an experience. Thousands of people packed into a gymnasium, and *everyone* was into the music. When the lead singer said put your finger in the air and wave it back and forth, *everybody* did it. I was completely amazed. I remember turning around and looking at the crowd. It wasn't just the people in front who where doing the finger waving, it was everyone, from wall to wall. (I wonder if that's how scandinavians disco dance. Wave your finger back and forth in a "tysk tysk" (german) motion, rather than American disco dancing which is the same motion as pulling a gun out of a holster and pointing it at the sky.) Wow. I've never seen that level of crowd participation at any show in the US. I just did all I could to pay attention to the stage, take in all of the sights/sounds & try to feel whatever vibe all the Norwegians were feeling. Because it was in another language and in a foreign land, it was much more than just a concert. I especially liked the very dignified "Tack" banner & bowing to the crowd at the end. There was no kicking the drums over, smashing guitars, or any of that pointless destruction.

On a side note, Sigur Ros is the only other band I've seen that did a "Thanks" banner & bow to the crowd at the end. I think it was "Takk". That must be Icelandic for "thanks". That was also a very surreal show (but in Madison).

Have any other Americans seen Kent live? Or does anybody want to comment?

[Spiral]

I want to comment, yes! I love Kent and also bought Isola but it took me two years to find the album! :LOL: That was when I didn't have internet and so on..

Anyway, one of the best Swedish bands!

[flydesign]

I'd love to see them.
I watch Pollstrar for them coming around, but fear it may require some flight-time, if I ever want to see them live. I have a whck of their material though. They have a great sound.

m

[Mona]

I love Kent, they had concert yesterday here in Stockholm yesterday, but I wasn't there and I regret it !

Anyway, Kent are good ! I mean, even the people that only listen to hip hop and RNB likes Kent. It's a great band and I can't imagine why they aren't THAT famous outside of sweden.

If you'd like to hear their new songs (in swedish) from their new album Du & Jag Döden (You and me death) just post me a line :)

[springa]

Kent are awesome.

I bought Isola (english version) five years ago just out of curiosity (i didn't know who they were but i liked the CD cover lol) and i loved it right away. I don't think i ever heard them on the radio or saw their videos on tv. How's their new stuff BTW?

I wish i could see them live. :( Maybe i should come to Sweden just to see them perform? :p



P.S.
I'm actually only half joking; i may come to Europe this summer and if i do, maybe i'll choose to go somewhere just cos my fav band is performing there... :$
Ok, not only because of that but it can be a great excuse to visit some place that i would overlook otherwise

[kuz]

i'm listening to vapen och ammunition right now, tis truely brilliant :happy: even though its all in swedish, its just so catchy...

[Mona]

Vapen & Ammunition is a great album.
The new one sounds great.

My favorite must be Hagnesta Hill. It's a really good album.

Springa:
Haha, welcome to Sweden ;)

[kiernana]

their stuff is really hard to find. at least for me it is...

but people have been sending me their stuff and i adore it. a friend of mine is getting a copy of their new cd from a friend on his way back from amsterdam. i should be getting a burned copy of it.

[kuz]

just got isola and du och jag döden today, my dad picked them up when he was in stockholm. haven't listened to them much yet, but i gotta say that du & jag döden is an absolutely brilliant album :)

[James_Blunt]

I like the first cd "vapen & ammunition" and the english version of Langsta Hill
I prefer " Dom andra", king is dead and music nonstop. :LOL: :rolleyes: :happy:

[tjej]

Mmm swedish.

[spaceboy250]

I asked for Isola for my birthday from my then girlfriend back when I was in school. Think it was all because I saw 747 on Brand new with Zane lowe. Way back when in the sands of time

Think I still have that album.......

[Mona]

Kent is a great band. Vapen & Ammunition is really cool. Dark and perfect :)

Anyone want Kent songs, PM me.

[Krasnojarsk]

En blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank
lååååååååååååååg så tungt i min haaaaaaaaaaaand, mer värd än kulor av glaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas

[tjej]

Any one of you gay faces have Om Du Var Här they'd like to share? Tack and all.

[kuz]

sorry, only got the english version of isola :unsure:



anyone heard the new EP? is it out yet?

[Krasnojarsk]

Any one of you gay faces have Om Du Var Här they'd like to share? Tack and all.

Kräm and Frank are better gayface:happy:

[Mona]

Ooh rude, Pelle, rude.

[Krasnojarsk]

She started it! *prods Rhiân*

[Mona]

Yeah, right. Stop blaming others you communist smartass.

[Krasnojarsk]

B...but she did! *myllar Rhiân* Here's your snow!:D

[Mona]

*throws snowballs at Pelle*


Det har snöat läskigt mycket här. Snöar fortfarande.

[Krasnojarsk]

OI! *Myllar Mona*

Snoooow! Noooooo! :'(

[Mona]

*trycker ner Pelles ansikte i en snödriva*

EAT THAT!

[Krasnojarsk]

*eats sand and throws frozen rowanberries at Mona*

[Mona]

*stabs Pelle with ice-taps*

[tjej]

Kräm and Frank are better gayface:happy:
I have those already stinkhead. *pounds with snow*

[Krasnojarsk]

Suuuuure you do *throws an ice/gravel ball on Rhiân's left calf muscle*

[tjej]

Suuuuure you do *throws an ice/gravel ball on Rhiân's left calf muscle*
Actually, I lie. Jag har kräm. Inte Frank.

I've also been buying loads of Håkan Hellström off iTunes. Stop me now before I reach my overdraft.

*rolls up a snow boulder, trips Pelle up and POWER BOMBS him with it.*

Snow = good mood.

[Krasnojarsk]

*Dies* I'll send it, it's the greatest anthem of teendom. At least it probably used to be. Errr.

Mmmmmmmm Hååååkan.

[tjej]

Woaaah is that 6/8 time I can hear in there? Mmmm.

[Mona]

*starts an official snow-war*

[tjej]

*starts an official snow-war*
Just as all our snow is turning into sludge and dangerous ice. DAMNATION.

[Krasnojarsk]

6/8 time? Whoa!

*prods Rhiân across the fields of ice*

[tjej]

6/8 time? Whoa!

*prods Rhiân across the fields of ice*
No, upon second listening it doesn't sound it.

The snow really is affecting my mental state.

[Mona]

Just as all our snow is turning into sludge and dangerous ice. DAMNATION.

Mwahaha!
Here it is as white as my essay. I haven't written anything.. :happy:

[Mona]

6/8 time? Whoa!

*prods Rhiân across the fields of ice*

*prods Pelle across the fields of ice*

[Mona]

No, upon second listening it doesn't sound it.

The snow really is affecting my mental state.

Mine too.

[Krasnojarsk]

*Throws yet another ice/gravel ball, this time at Mona* Good, skip that essay. You can do my grammar exam for me on Friday instead.

What is with you two that makes me feel so old and cynical? :LOL:

[Mona]

*throws a snowman at Pelle*

That must hurt.

You are old and cynical, fool. I don't know.. :happy:

[Krasnojarsk]

It does :(

Era as.

[Mona]

Vi älskar dig också.

:indiff:

[Krasnojarsk]

:happy:

[Mona]

Borde inte du gå till skolan? :happy:

[Krasnojarsk]

OI watch it, jag börjar inte förrän 15.15 :(

[Mona]

OI watch it, jag börjar inte förrän 15.15 :(

Smärrrrrrta.


*wishes that a bus will hit me on the way to school*

[tjej]

Mwahaha!
Here it is as white as my essay. I haven't written anything.. :happy:
I'll write your essay for you. Save me from going to some Goethe Institut Vorlesung.

[Mona]

I'll write your essay for you. Save me from going to some Goethe Institut Vorlesung.

Too late :( But thanks for the offer. I hope it stands later on... :happy:

[Krasnojarsk]

Sod essays, if you can show up at room 109, Sölvegatan 6, first white house on the right in Lund, and do my exam tomorrow at 14.00 I promise you it'll be a lot more fun than a bloody essay! :D

[tjej]

Does it involve aspect pairs and fine French brandy?

Speaking of brandy, did you get to that bit on Dudley where he cooked the crab with cognac?

[Krasnojarsk]

It involves case endings, impossible verb conjugations and dirty vodka mixed with gravel and coal dust.

Noo I didn't! That sounds delicious! I shall look at it in the morrow :happy:

[tjej]

That sounds almost too good to be true. Mmm.

[Krasnojarsk]

You're welcome to do it. Be here at ten and I'll give you my student ID and we're sorted. Oh and my hair. :D

[tjej]

Done and done! In exchange I shall bring my student ID and some tea bags. :D

[Mona]

Sod essays, if you can show up at room 109, Sölvegatan 6, first white house on the right in Lund, and do my exam tomorrow at 14.00 I promise you it'll be a lot more fun than a bloody essay! :D

I'll be there.

[Mona]

you guys decided to spam this thread and leave the Swedish one? :happy:

If so, I'll join.

[tjej]

you guys decided to spam this thread and leave the Swedish one? :happy:

If so, I'll join.
Spam? Such a cruel word.

Now where did I put my tin opener...

[Mona]

It is.

Yerr lazeh brit. get yer as to msn

[Wowee Zowee]

awesome band:happy:

[kuz]

aren't they just :yesey:

i really need to listen to Isola more often, i really love that album :happy:

[Brainkillingbbq]

Ät bajs... Om du var här är kents bästa låt:D

[Wowee Zowee]

Du & Jag Döden is up there in one of my favourite albums.

[kuz]

most likely because it's so awesome.

400 Slag is a great song, awesomely catchy even though i don't know the words :LOL:

[Manner Of Malady]

Kent is a great band, I´m swedish and a big fan of Kent. I found this at Kent´s homesite www.kent.nu

Kent.nu´s forum have a english section for you guys who would like to write there!

This is a complete translation of the album Du & Jag Döden ( You and Me Death ). Don´t think this is 100% correct but I think it´s pretty good ;)

400 Blows ( 400 Slag )

The verdict fell on a morning-flight to London
Silent heavy steps coming toward you
The verdict fell even though you always used a condom
With the scythe swaying your old friend is waiting

How you played when you were kids
You stood in attention with your back straight and received
Four hundred blows

The sleep came and you who were so right in time
The verdict fell like tears against your monitor
The sleep came like a right-wing opinion
But against dollars & yen death easily becomes a joke

How you played when you were kids
You lost your war
You’re standing there left alone
And no one comes to your defence
So you stand there in attention with your back straight and receive
Four hundred blows






You Are Steam ( Du är Ånga )

You say
-When we were little
What drugs did yo! u take then
-When we were little
We hit sap bark and steel
And the brain got soft
From Lutheran anxiety before God
And then I got sick
And became the shadow you see now

But when the night was bright
In our sixties-house
We were farfarfar away from here
In our dream of escaping
To something new

I am born in a time
When the dust just had settled
A meaningless time
Exactly one thousand of a second too late
Surely there lives a scream
Somewhere inside your calm quiet life
A wild fantasy
Being drowned in box-wine-nostalgia

But when the night is bright
In your seventies-house
And you are steam trace of a cloud
In a dream of escaping to something new
And you are holding so tight
When the longing gets hard
Then I am yoursyoursyours to take with
To take out to take in
To something new

When the night is bright
In our eighties-house
Then we are farfarfar away from here
In our dream about escaping
To something new
And we hold too tight
But when this dream is ours
And you are mineminemine to take with
To take out to a hunt
For the time that escaped





The Dead Angle ( Den döda vinkeln )

I was long the lonely only child
A monster at the bottom in a homemade storey bed
And at a distance I saw the lights die in the fog
Exactly when the darkness is lit up again

And I saw you running over the snow’s crust
In pursuit of your magnificent view
You taught me how to disappear completely
In to your thoughts in your head I stand free

Give me a winter-drug
Give me all you’ve got
Come now I’m chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eye was a storm that I saw
Like summer-snow
In the dead angle I see everything you do

There they come I can se! e them between the trees
Please help me escape
Their eyes are like mare-fire over the world
I’m crawling there in the ashes Phoenix born like new

Give me a winter-drug
Give me all you’ve got
Come now I’m chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eye was a storm that I saw
Blowing summer-snow
In the dead angle I see everything you do

Give me a winter-drug
Give me summer-snow
Come now I’m chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eye dances small storms
But it is you who lead
In the dead angle I see everything you do





You Were My Army ( Du var min armé )

Empty your room
Of teenage-thoughts
You said: make your choice
Make an independent decision
I held a hand then
Against your warm skin
You said: close your door
We have something to sort out

You stood there with your knife
Next to your German car!
You cut my cool life
Patterned to a war

You stole my gaze
You went your own path
You said: there are little tricks
That make people mean well
And the songs I’ve heard
And the movies I saw
Were the wildest things I’ve done
But nothing was as big

As when
You stood there with your knife
Next to your German car
You cut my cool life
Patterned to a war





Palace & Main

I shot a DJ late last night
The blood splashed became a Pollock in his booth
I flee through a darkened corridor
My indie-heart pounds and pounds and pounds

I’m standing at an airport
And waiting for the feeling
A man by a ledge
An ice-cold Michael Caine
And all who have loved you
Have hated me out of fear
That I will see them
As victims at Palace & Main

I push everything before me
Like Robin Wright-Penn does in S! tate of Grace
You have everything I’ve said on tape
So you think you have a future without me

I’m standing at an airport
And waiting for the feeling
A man by a ledge
Disguised as Michael Caine
And all who have loved you
Have hated me out of fear
That I will see them
As victims at Palace & Main

I’m standing at an airport
And waiting for the feeling
A man by a ledge
An ice-cold Michael Caine
And all who love you
Must learn to wait
My plan is to wait
Yes I wait at Palace & Main





Iron-ghosts ( järn-spöken )

They burnt down Grönan
And the school stands there
Alone now
Bike-racks still stand empty
Even though the breaks are over

They cut down chestnut-trees in the avenue
In front of the school yard
I move quietly
Don’t belong here
I am the ghost

I don’t know why
But maybe that’s why I remember it so well
Your big eyes
Your brown hands
Your sharp knees

Was it you I saw
Like a shadow from dreams
Was it you I saw
You whom I swore not to forget

They dig in the park
And the frost in the ground
Becomes a defense
At the corner of the church
Where the railroad goes
They have blocked off

Something’s lying in the grass
With frosty clothes
So still and white
The blue lights flash
Imagine what you can do
With a small knife
I don’t know why
But I always return here
I guess it was
Something we did
Something we said here
That changed my life

Was it you I saw
Like a shadow from my dreams
Was it you I saw
You whom I swore not to forget
Was it you I saw
Like a ghost from my dead dreams
Was it you I saw
Have I finally managed to forget

[Manner Of Malady]

The Bungler ( Klåparen )

You’re walking in your inimitable way
Over the school yard’s gravel by yourself
In your newly cut hair like an Irish idol’s
Your reflection in window glass
Admires every step you take

And so it flashes
Green red yellow lights
You were sitting on needles when you came
With your smuggled-in intoxication
And they switch off all the lights
For one final quiet chance
And everything blackens in a panic
When you see that everyone already has a dance
And everything is like before

You remember who you were with contempt a little hatred
You start to resemble your mother or father
You have changed your ways erased every trace
But in your soul
Yes far far inside
Echoes the teenager’s roar

And so it flashes
And they switch on all the lights
You were alone when you came
Now the magic has burned out
And so they switch off
All the signs all the ! lights
And when the park lies empty you realise
That your evening has just ended
And everything is like before

And so it flashes
And they turn on all the lights
You were alone when you came
You are just as alone now
And so they switch off all the streets and all the houses
And when the city lies empty you realise
That that’s what your life looks like
And everything is like before





Max 500

The moon hangs low
Over everything you think you saw
Under a broken cloud
Goes a Yeti-trail

500 miles in the snow
A UFO over the lake
And in a flash I see
Keats standing next to Baudelaire
Like magic - a light you drown in
There are little tricks that make people
Give you more than you are worth...

Mary Shelley's dream
Sews a zigzag pattern
Over everything the winter has hidden
Over everything the heart has forgo! tten

500 miles in the snow
A UFO over the lake
And in a flash Lady Day
Dances a waltz with Astaire
Like magic - a light you drown in
There are little tricks that make people
Give you more than you are worth...

500 miles in the snow
A UFO over the lake
And with a look I get people to believe
In magic - a light you drown in
There are little tricks that make people
Give you more than you are worth...





Romeo Returns Alone ( Romeo återvänder ensam )

An icy wind goes over the water
An echo from the world of the dead
A greeting from a jealous mocking sea
And the winter tears the pier’s shack
Tears lanterns from a celebrated July
From the Ferris wheel’s skeleton of wood and stone

(I want you you are mine you are only mine)
(I want you I am yours I am only yours)
In the city rules constant low season
(I want you you are mine you are only mine) !
The restaurants are empty all year around…

And on bars the wrecks cling to
We mourn a lost cargo
And the snow is helping the debris to shore
Black twigs blocks the house white
Haven’t been here since all was yours
A for sale-sign covered in snow and sand

On the porch the wind chime sings your song
(I want you you are mine you are only mine)
Empty windows are hitting all night long
(I want you I am yours I am only yours)
And old memories are like the flakes that whirl
(I want you you are mine you are only mine)
Against a sky of iron and poison and lead…

Like a Romeo in jeans on your balcony
(I want you you are mine you are only mine)
I’m the shadow by your screen-door once more
(I want you I am yours I am only yours)
Your dress is like rags in my hand
(I want you you are mine you are only mine)
And I leave no trail even in sand…




Roses & Palm-leaves ( Rosor & Palmblad )

Waiting always this waiting
From white to grey to black
This year was black
And the lilies fall from a window
In Västerås tonight
I hear your laughter

Over the plumes palm-leaves and crosses
That rattle there in the wind
That sounded like hoarse voices
From those who do the commercial
Chase zombies from out their graves
Give me something that feels

Longing always this longing
From here far away
Far far away
And the roses shed all the petals again
That cried them blood
Because life is so short

And people in the locked, quiet houses
Slightly open the curtain
And look out into the street
With eyes that are afraid
Of everything that can happen
Even though it already has happened





The Man In The White Hat
(16 Years Later)

A row of benches in a restless late April
I ! look over the shoulder and see you blink
I can have you whenever you want to
A wind carries garbage along the corridor one last time
And you & I hold our breath and hold hands during the leap
It’s not far to home

Still there are thousands of tears left
They were yours to give to anyone
At last
They are the most precious jewellery you’ve got
So never apologise again
At last
We pass their borders

Do you remember our blood-oath our law
Our stupid crusade toward a just as stupid city
I remember everything like nails against glass
But you simply laugh at me shrink everything to a joke
But I can see in your anxious posture your hunting eyes that it feels
That it’s a long way home

Soon there are no tears left
They were ours to give to anyone
At last
They are the most precious jewellery we have
So never apologise again
At last
Do you draw your own line! s

That boy I never knew
Who walked on streets I never saw
And thought thoughts I never thought
Under a thin and flaky hair
And all the emotions struck and exploded
The entire weekday full of holes
In a time when nothing happened
In a city that always slept
But darling we were all one time little
We were all one time little

I throw stones in my glass-house
I throw dart in my incubator
And so I grow my fear
Yes I am constantly sowing new seeds
In my green-house am I safe
There grows envy clear and green
I am scared out of my life of living
And I am deathly afraid of dying
But darling we will one time die
Yes we will all one time die

[I am 40 years from death
According to today’s statistics
It is a soothing thought
That we have such little time

And time softly crushes your resistance
It will melt away like snow
Until you hit your! cane against the wall
That you built around your island

And all your friends
And your entire family
They walk swiftly towards the day
When they will no longer exist

But darling we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die

And he who stares out from the mirror
It can’t be me, can it?
When did I become so ugly and tired and old
So lonely, coward and weak
And you hate who you become
And despise who you were

And then there is no god in the world
That can give you an answer
Except that we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die

Yes we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die
Yes we will all one time die

[seregon]

Kent have beautiful music :happy:

[Manner Of Malady]

yeah, doesnt they? The You & Me Death album is so sad and beautiful :(

[haluzator1]

Great music. I love kent!

[eternallyida]

Love kent :) svensk hihi

[Josefine]

Kent must be the only Swedish band Muse have supported :LOL:


This is probably one of the most beautiful songs I know written in Swedish...:happy: Argh, it sure takes me back to my teens!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKIEuA3cGII

[Josefine]

New album, Röd (Red), to be released in November :happy:

First single from the album, "Töntarna". (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA1EAxduPM)