1999 7" REVIEWS AVERSIONLINE Here's a brief 7" from this Swedish band that's been compared to Joy Division and Siouxsie and the Banshees, playing that sort of 80's new wave-ish/post-punk kind of stuff that's been regaining popularity as of late with that simple drumbeat and chorused bass tone that drive the pieces amidst ringing guitar lines and odd high-pitched vocals with a monotone singing delivery. "Legends" uses more electronic sounding drums and added textures, whereas "Midnight People" is faster and a bit more straightforward in instrumentation. The vocals take some getting used to, but I have to admit that I sort of like this stuff, and I'd rather see this style of music start to become more common as opposed to most other "trendy" styles that have been experiencing resurgences. The recording here is fine and definitely has a bit of a dated 80's quality to it, without sounding weak or ineffective, so that's fairly admirable. The record comes in a color sleeve with lots of random illustrations of skulls, pentagrams, pills, wolves, insects, etc. Inside is a simple xeroxed insert with plain text on a flat white background. No lyrics or anything are included. Not bad. It's very short, but I can appreciate it. An interesting listen that would make me curious to hear more. /[7/10] EARCANDY Stockholm’s very own 1999 is half eighties hair metal and half eighties new wave. Well, at least that’s the way they sound on this slab of vinyl from Promenade. You remember Promenade, the very same label that gave us last years seven band, 7” compilation of songs with a food theme. Now, this is a label that isn’t afraid to release… well, anything! 1999 is probably the labels most commercial sounding release to date but believe me, this is no commercial release. For fans of Joy Division, Killing Joke and Souxsie and the Banshees. /J.R. Oliver HEARTATTACK #43 1999 plays new wave music with a modern edge. Their sound is comparable to another band on this label, Glass Candy. You get strange poetic vocals over music that many are calling death disco now. 1999 also reminds me of the great Joy Division. Though where Joy Division played a more exposed style of rock, 1999 adds in extra beats and more disjointed vocals. Or, at least, I can´t really understand them. The better song on this 7" is "Midnight People" which is also where the Joy Division comparsion is the most relevant. LO PUNK PLANET #64 While they might have some similarities with the loads of other dancey bands out there, 1999 don´t follow the "i´m too sassy for my own good" formula, which is a nice change. They have a bit more of a darker (goth?) sound that works well. I liked this record. (KM)