These Swedish pop-rockers, fronted by singer-lyricist Nina Persson, follow up their 1998 album, Gran Turismo, with a major shift in gears on their latest collection.

More organic sounding than its electronic-driven predecessors, perhaps this 12-track disc was inspired by Sweden's current rock explosion (The Hives and Soundtrack Of Our Lives).

Not surprisingly, both The Hives' frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist and S.O.O.L.'s Ebbot Lundberg appear here as guest vocalists on the more guitar-driven A Good Horse and Live And Learn, respectively. Whatever propelled The Cardigans in this direction, it's a more intimate and warm-sounding record.

The album begins with two pretty ballads, Communication and You're The Storm, and repeatedly returns to hushed reflections on love and despair on such tracks as And Then You Kissed Me, Couldn't Care Less, Lead Me Into The Night and If There Is A Chance. However, the first single, For What It's Worth, is a lively reprieve from all the slow-tempoed, sad songs. (More on The Cardigans)

Track Listing
1. Communication
2. Youre The Storm
3. A Good Horse
4. And Then You Kissed Me
5. Couldnt Care Less
6. Please Sister
7. For What Its Worth
8. Lead Me Into The Night
9. Live And Learn
10. Feathers And Down
11. No Sleep
12. Hold Me (Mini Version) (Bonus Track)
13. If There Is A Chance (Bonus Track)