With tongue firmly in cheek,
the Cardigans decided to play up the candyfloss arrangements of their debut for second album
Life. Where
Emmerdale studied an introverted melancholy,
Life is undiminished in both its independent-minded exuberance (
"Hey! Get Out of My Way") and zest to enjoy life with others (
"Daddy's Car," "Gordon's Gardenparty"). The incredible production and quality of arrangement from the debut are here also, even more strikingly crisp and spot-on. (Over 50 instruments were used on the 14 songs included on the
Minty Fresh American release.) Though
the Cardigans planned
Life as something of a joke, it became one of the finest
pop albums of the '90s. ~ John Bush