11 Nov 2010
Review of 'Painted Romans ...and Time!'
The Weblog Of Leonard's Lair
Like many Norwegians before him, Mats Davidsen recalls UK influences so accurately, he ends up performing them more convincingly than those he tries to emulate. Yet he certainly doesn’t choose . . . . . Read more
7 Apr 2009
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments'
The Weblog Of Leonard's Lair
Painted Romans is a project led by Norwegian Mats Davidsen. Inspiration has come from his hometown, the seaside and Liverpool. Such differences in surroundings have been reflected in the bizarrely titled . . . . . Read more
7 Oct 2008
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments' (Norwegian)
Adresseavisen
Wallpaper Silhouettes fra Trondheim var på de fleste måter et roteband, men et sjarmerende og helt spesielt et. Etter mange års «nesten» ble de oppløst i 2006, og nå har gitarist og vokalist Mads Davidsen startet på ny frisk . . . . . Read more
7 Oct 2008
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments' (translation)
Adresseavisen
Beautiful behind the wallpaper (5/6)
Wallpaper Silhouettes was good, this is better.
Wallpaper Silhouettes from Trondheim were in most ways a whimsical band, yet a charming and very special one. After many years of "coming close" they split in 2006. Guitarist and singer Mats Davidsen then formed Painted Romans (with two ex-WS members). This (Evil Wigs) release is initially meant as a download-album only, with cover art and bonus tracks sent to you if you buy the «basic album». A fine idea that suits a potential cult project like this particularly well. Davidsen and Co. are still plantet deeply in the 80s aesthetics, but whereas WS was cold and bleak Painted Romans is warm and colourful. The album approaches an atmospheric and infinitely romantic version of the alternative synth pop. There's a great heart pounding behind these melodies, which both impress and surprise. Davidsen has this endearing combination of clumsiness and grace, both as a songwriter and vocalist, and often from one phrase to the next. Dearly sung, but with an English pronounciation that is at times slightly loose. Entries on the arrangement-side that always come unpredicted.
I hear him as a genuinely gifted songwriter, and as one of the few in Trondheim who actually carry a defined and thorough musical personality, and not least; a fascinating disparateness in everything he does. Certainly one can object that the idea is sometimes better than the performance, but therein lies much of the nerve that discourages you from wanting it to be any different.
Highlights: "Long Gone the Hurt" and "We're Gin and Tonic Tonight"
Reviewed by Vegard Enlid, original article
6 Apr 2009
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments'
Even in the future nothing works
They went far and beyond in regards to the packaging of this release. The CD comes with a very nice full color poster plus a nice photo. The sounds are very pleasant. The vocals remind me of a slightly upbeat Dave Gahan . . . . . Read more
Oct 2008
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments'
SUBBA-CULTCHA
The ever intriguing remote parts of Scandinavia has that air of experimentation, freethinking and an all to often bleak feel to output which is no doubt cause and effect of . . . . . Read more
22 Feb 2009
Review of 'Evil Wigs and Bedroom Moments' (Norwegian)
norskmusikk.org
Painted Romans med Mats Davidsen i spissen har spennende ting på gang. Mats som tidligere var en del av Wallpaper Silhouettes satser nå energien på Painted Romans. "evil wigs and bedroom moments" blir for meg et meget . . . . . Read more