The mini-album “Rest in Pieces” by The Culture in Memoriam is eccentric Swedish indie pop. The selection opens with a catchy hit (“Run Emelie”), and “Crafoord the Clown” is another standout track. More pop music should be like this. The other songs are very melodious, like “Death of Jimmie,” which begins quietly and develops into a stomping parade with a truly silly backing choir. At other time the backing vocals are arranged in a more august manner. The calm, ruminative “Steady Hell” is the most beautiful song on “Rest in Pieces,” a slow, melancholy piece. The album is missing a real rocker like “Hometown Hymn” from the band’s full length, “Abolish History, This is Our Story.” In the context of this weird, slightly psychedelic, mostly acoustic pop it is okay, however, to exclude the rock songs.

by artistxite