SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: AGONY STREET – ITALIAN WHISKY

Agony Street
Italian Whisky
FHEBRE Records/Silverton

Agony Street was the Swedish duo which consisted of Gudmundur Bragason and the late Klas Qvist, who recorded under the name Citizen K. Sadly, Qvist passed away in 2021, but he left quite a legacy of great and original music. Italian Whisky was planned and was their reunion album, as their first two albums were recorded and released in the early. This third album turned out to be the final Agony Street release. The bulk of it had been recorded prior to Qvist’s passing, and Bragason finished the album and prepared it for release.

Italian Whisky demonstrates the band’s love of psychedelic pop/rock from the mid-1960s. As a result, this is full of very catchy melodies and creative lyrics. The album opens with a very Beach Boys vibe (circa 1966) with “Next Door Overture”, which leads beautifully into “The Girl Next Door”. And then there are clever interludes such as “After Approximately Seven Glasses Of Italian Whisky”. Again, it has a strong melody and terrific backing vocals.

“Time To Go Home” sounds like the end. But the album has a few more treats in store and ends with “Utopia”, with its great use of sound effects and ambience.

Italian Whisky is very bittersweet. It was great to have the long awaited third/reunion album from the band, However, it is remarkably sad to think this is their last and the last the world will hear from Qvist. He was very talented with a brilliant ability to write solid pop/rock songs full of hooks, humour, and harmony. He will be missed, but Italian Whisky is here for fans and maybe new fans to enjoy and dive into this fantastic musical accomplishment.

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