Until now, the Swedish group the Cardigans were easily identified by their sunny, pop-friendly, melodic releases. Fearing being typecast as an act fluffier than a Nordic lamb, the band decided to head farther north for the winter. With Gran Turismo, their fifth release, you'll need your favorite, um, sweater, because the season has turned, the atmosphere is frosty, and, indeed, the nights are long and dark. Gran Turismo is a trip-hop album following the lead of grim meisters Portishead. The CD is punctuated with distorted, muted, uncomplicated guitar riffs and keyboard effects that often sound like a harpsichord played through a fuzz box. Nina Persson's slightly aching, sleepy little cutesy lead vocals sound as frictionless as rubbing two ice cubes together. Although the skies are grayer here, the one familiar musical element is their simple yet compelling rhythm structures, as evidenced in their jazz-informed drum patterns. If the Cardigans weren't competent musicians, this album would come across as nothing more than a career-sustaining maneuver. But with this solid, dark, and intriguing release, they've clearly demonstrated their ability to compose great songs, no matter what the weather. --Beth Bessmer

2008-08-30 -- 4/5:: Things change... bands evolve.
First of all: this album doesn't sound like "Life", "Emmerald" or "First Band on the Moon". If you want music like the one on any of those albums, go and grab them as you may get disappointed with "Gran Turismo" as a few reviewers here did.

This is simply a different Cardigans sound, which reflects the healthy evolution of a band, moving away from positive cheesy fun pop for a younger audience to an electro-guitar-led trip-hop, much more labored, self-conscious album, a bit too far away from the mainstream. And that's just great from my side.

Hypnotic. Inspired. Slow enough. Fast enough. Sophisticated. Stylish. Cool.

If I wanted The Cardigans to sound always the same as they did on their previous albums, then it would be much easier to push the 'repeat all' button on my CD player when listening "Life" or "Emmerald".

It would also save me some bucks by the way...

2008-02-14 -- 3/5:: Pretty Good
I was pulled in by a few songs on this album - however, the rest of the album wasn't what I expected. It's still pretty good, I'm just glad I didn't pay full price for it.

2007-07-19 -- 4/5:: Definitivamente GRAN Tursimo
Nunca me llamo mucho la atencion los Cardigans. Sus etapas de "Life" y "Emerdale" eran muy vintage y muy mellow. Tal vez escuche "First band..." y ese fue el mejorcito. Pero Gran Turismo es algo completamente diferente, hay un enorme abismo que separa la calidad del sonido y tendencia entre GT y "Fist band". Puedo catalogar a este disco como el disco oscuro de la banda.
Canciones como Paralyzed y Marvel Hill son bastante chocantes si se las compara con "Pikebubbles" o "new Cokoo" de discos anteriores. Las primeras 8 canciones son las que le dan caracter a este disco, luego caen un poco en lo comercial con la 9 y la 10. Pero rematan con la instrumental "Nil" ,es buenisima!.. muy darkie , muy melodica.
Un disco buenisimo, de pronto el mejor que sacaron desde 1998. Musica eclectica bastante recomendada.

2007-06-05 -- 5/5:: my fav cardigans album
i've listened to them all and this one grabs me the most. the whole album is good. your favorite game got a little played out but is still cool.
erase and rewind is very nice.

2006-08-01 -- 3/5:: "I don't know what you're looking for..."
The Cardigans album Gran Turismo is very interesting and strange to say the least. Lead singer Nina Peerson's vocals and excellent songwriting keeps this album shining from start to finish. Standout tracks include: My Favourite Game, Higher, Junk of Hearts, and Erase and Rewind. This album isn't perfect but it is a mellow and enjoyable disc. Decide for yourself on this one.