Johnossi

When it comes to bluesy guitars-and-drums duos, there are generally two camps: the fuzzy fury of the White Stripes and Black Keys or the bar-stool-bound mopiness of Two Gallants. Johnossi, a pair of Southern-sounding Swedes, try out both approaches on their debut, moving from unpolished, thrashy romps to more honeyed, tumbleweed ditties. But it's lyrically where they're most refreshing, as singer John Engelbert encourages his parables' moribund and wayward subjects to "eat a caramel and be happy" ("The Show Tonight") or to consider lemonade as a panacea ("Santa Monica Bay"). 

Now Hear This:
Johnossi - "Man Must Dance" DOWNLOAD MP3

Now Watch This:
Johnossi - "Execution Song"

By Julia Simon