Sincere, true and honest – three words to describe the music of Holmes, but also three words to describe them as a band. When you meet Holmes either through the speakers of your stereo, at the house of a friend or live in concert you will soon realize that you have found a new friend. I first met Holmes in 2009 through their EP Storm and after playing those four tracks for five or six hours straight during a rainy Friday afternoon I soon realized that I would have to get their debut album pronto, and 15 minutes later I found myself at the local music store holding Wolves as carefully as if it was made of glass, with a big grin on my face. A week later I knew all the songs by heart and since then we have been like the best of friends – Holmes and I. Holmes will welcome you from the very first tone and then carefully lead you through stunning melodies and lyrics with gravity and intensity. This is a band that will let you come along on tour, lend you a jacket when you’re cold or hand you a cup of coffee when you need it the most. Their music is a feeling to wake up to with sounds that compliment your spring walks in the sun and tones that will wag you to sleep, and it’s been described as critics as both melancholic and epic, as well as a portrayal of autumn dressed in music; steady and colorful, like a drizzling rain. Holmes started out in Vänersborg, Sweden in 2003, but didn’t release their debut album Wolves until five years later in November 2008. The album was well received in international press and their most successful European tour so far followed during the spring of 2009. Have I Told You Lately That I Loathe You, the sophomore album from Holmes, is an international affair completed along with people they have been working with in the past and know well. Just like for Wolves Anna Emilia Laitinen located in Tampere, Finland made all illustrations for the artwork and the recordings were done at Kepner Treg with Per-Ola Eriksson in Göteborg, Sweden before being sent over for mastering by Carl Saff, a new acquaintance residing in Chicago, Ill., USA. Bless Internet! On Have I Told You Lately That I Loathe You Holmes offer the listener everything they did so well on Wolves, but this time with more confidence, a more vibrant and raw sound, and more profound and aware lyrics. The only thing that doesn’t surprise is the great sense for melodies that are brilliant as always. Like most other bands from the Vänersborg area Holmes rehearse in the old mental hospital in the small town that pretty much holds a black canal, a big interest for music and a roundabout with a tiny statue of the Ei_el Tower (Vänersborg is for some reason nick named Little Paris, although no-one seems to remember why). And maybe it’s the combination of a small town, a black canal and a whole lot of creativity that somehow has made Holmes so sincere, so true and so honest. Just like a best friend. –– Sara Karlsson, March 15, 2010 • For fans of Tim Buckley, Magnolia Electric Co., Wu-Tang Clan, Gillian Welch, early The Cure and Lambchop. • Recorded with Per-Ola Eriksson (Björn Kleinhenz, Boy Omega, a.o.) and mastered by Carl Saff (Tiny Vipers, Peter Broderick, Magnolia Electric Co., a.o.) • The artwork features exclusive illustrations from Anna Emilia Laitinen and is printed on thick cardboard wallet covers together. Also comes with a booklet with lyrics and more illustrations. PRESS QUOTES ON WOLVES: "Nordic country-pop par excellence." – Popmonitor "...what we have here is a weirdly warm Swedish take on Americana: it's richly observed lyrically. Kristoffer Bolander's vocals are pitched at a similarly engaging register to Ben Gibbard's, and Holmes themselves have a Gorky-like knack of recasting such folksy instruments as the lap steel and accordion. Epic centrepiece 'Hold On' is a bittersweet bar-band marvel, while 'David Letterman' is a masterpiece of contemplative melancholia built on gorgeous piano rolls." – Rock Sound
