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Text by music journalist Johan Scherwin from the album release in 2005:
"IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS RIDDLE includes exclusively original music and lyrics by Jeanette Lindström, apart from one contribution from lyricist Marshall Glover ("When things get real").
This is an album that once again proves that she never hesitates to move on and explore new ground. As always, Jeanette Lindström sings with a voice that vibrates with the strength of a tigress, the yearnings of a young woman and the fervor of a mature woman. Or in other words: a voice with light, air and a bit of mustiness to it.
On “In The Middle Of This Riddle”, she and her musicians have created and multifaceted atmosphere where the frail and the strong melt together just below the boiling point. Tones from a piano and an electric guitar fluctuate and linger through most of the songs; behind them, a bass and drums throb with an ease that leaves room for airiness without compromising the pulse. And every now and then a trumpet comes to the front; on occasion she is alone with a piano or a collection of strings.
The songs are like a journey between feelings and expressions, yet they are still bound together like different entranceways into the same underlying atmosphere. Following the melodies are lyrics that underscore life’s ups and downs with a few choice words. She starts off with the equally captivating as it is soul-funky “Always”, continues the voyage with the rapidly pulsating “From This Tower”, then takes the tempo down in the fluctuating minimalism of “The World”, to next arrive at a naked meditative state in “You Could Rely On Me”.
After the sense of loss in the self-revealing “End”, she moves on to exultant, cacophonic blue skies in “Going Up”, she sways in a pleasing, waltz-jazz tempo in “Here” and proves herself to be a full-fledged singer-songwriter in “Leaf”. Time and again, her musicians paint an expansive panorama. For Jeanette Lindström doesn’t allow the total focus to be centered on herself, she leaves room for her musicians in solos that either develop or change, but constantly push on ahead."
credits
released May 11, 2005
Jeanette Lindström - vocals, piano, claviola
Staffan Svensson - trumpet
Peter Nylander - electric & acoustic guitar
Daniel Karlsson - piano, keyboards, vibraphone
Christian Spering - double bass
Peter Danemo - drums, percussion
Jonas Lindgren - violin
Örjan Högberg - viola
Mattias Helldén - cello
Produced by Jeanette Lindström and Göran Petersson
Recorded in Atlantis Studio, Stockholm by Janne Hansson in November 2004 & February 2005, except "End" and "Too (Take 1)", recorded by Claes Persson at CRP Recording in September 2004
Strings recorded by Jonas Lindgren at Pit Studio
Additional overdubs recorded by Jeanette Lindström at Occupied Mind Studio
Field recordings by Leif LeBaron and Jeanette Lindström
Mixed by Janne Hansson in Atlantis Studio, March 2005, except "Too (Take 1)" and "The World", mixed by Claes Persson at CRP Recording in September 2004 and March 2005
Mastering by Claes Persson / CRP
Cover photo by Magnus Selander
Makeup by Lisa Granquist
Graphic design and booklet photo by Johan Månsson
Executive producer: Göran Petersson