Irene

Stockholm-based balladeers, Irene, are the happiest people on the planet.  Led by singer/songwriter Tobias Isaksson, the band sings songs of adoration and love, or rather, infatuation.  "I wanna thank you / I wanna thank you 'cause you light up my life" sings Isaksson and company (8 times!), on Motown-inspired "By Your Side."  Since these guys are 30+ years old and not ten, I have to assume they've never had their hearts broken.  Or maybe, love in Sweden is something so profound, us jaded New Yorkers can just never understand.  I'd like to, though.  It's probably this wish to experience a fraction of the emotional euphoria that Irene exhibits that renders these songs so addicting to me.  Like a chick flick, there are no surprises here, only happy endings.  Ignore 'pragmatism' for just a few minutes and embrace the inner optimist.  I'm sure there's a little left deep inside. :)

Albums:  Long Gone Before Summer (2007), Apple Bay (2006)

Tracks:  By Your Side, Out of Tune, September Skies, Back to Me, Always on My Mind, Stardust