The alternative rock group
known as Plain have released their latest official full-length album,
“Refinements.” The LP album contains 10 original Plain tracks for
an approximate total listening time of 40 minutes. It has been
proudly published as an independent release without the involvement
of the corporate music industry. A soulful, bluesy, and highly
textured form of hard alternative rock, “Refinements” by Plain
returns to that raw sound which gave us bands like Mudhoney, Alice in
Chains and Nirvana while also offering a unique spin on an old
favorite.
Gothenburg, Sweden's Plain
cites as main artistic influences Nirvana, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys,
Grouplove, and Foo Fighters. Of these, Plain's own style borrows
mostly from the Dave Grohl projects, but with an updated, broader
songwriting direction which generally allows for greater emotional
range than music by any of the aforementioned. Plain also boasts raw,
masculine, yet often elegant vocals which sometimes recall The
Libertines, sometimes Type O Negative, and sometimes even the more
aggressive moments of Sunny Day Real Estate. A punk aesthetic
underlies the record.
With an emphasis on grit, narrative, and intriguing songwriting, “Refinements” by Plain has a little something for everybody.
With an emphasis on grit, narrative, and intriguing songwriting, “Refinements” by Plain has a little something for everybody.
Asked to describe the
overall meaning of “Refinements,” Plain writes in humanistic
terms.
“A common
denominator for all songs on 'Refinements' is human relations,”
writes singer-songwriter Albin Samuelsson. “I believe that the
primal part of any relationship is to dare to talk openly with one
another. It’s important to show respect for the people in your
surroundings and to try to understand others' situations. If you’re
open and talk to each other, you get more perspectives and more
ingredients to build your own personality with. Then you no longer
have a great reason to judge others because we’re not so different
after all. Through speaking more openly, I believe that the world is
going to become a more peaceful place.”
Audiophiles for whom
lyrics form an important component have much in store with Plain. The
band's current official bio notes that while “many songs you hear
nowadays have little-to-no meaning at all, or are essentially about
the same things over and over again. Albin has always used his songs
to talk about matters that are important to him, and really doesn’t
want to repeat himself in either music or words.”
Samuelsson is joined in
Plain by bassist Simon Magnussen, guitarist David Barraza and drummer
Rémi Valet, who will be performing with him live in the months
following the LP record's release.
“Refinements” by
Plain is available from over 600 quality digital music stores online
worldwide now. Get in early, alternative rock fans.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
“Refinements”
by Plain –
Plain
Official Website –
