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The Simple Life

cover of The Simple Life

NME | March 2008 | by Paul Moody | 8/10

With British pop suffering under the jackbook of X Factor dictators and Brit School drones, it's hard to believe that somewhere in the world the charts are ruled by a songwriter who loves Elliot Smith, plays gigs on planes and got his name following a run-in with a Chinese with doctor. Time to move to Norway then, where Even Johansen—aka Magnet—makes a mockery of chart conservatism. Body-swerving all known formulations for commercial success, 'The Simple Life' is full of complex arrangements, orchestral flourishes and dreamy interludes, delivered as part of a conceptual tract on the perils of pop stardom. "All these numbers and figures/I can't figure it out", he sighs in 'Lonely No More', depairing at his new role as a groupie, erm, magnet. Sadly, megastardom in Britain is about as likely as Simon Cowell donating his fortune to charity. DOWNLOAD: 'LUCID'

Word | March 2008 | by Damien Morris

Find the candy-centered pop of Sweden's Jens Lekman tooth-rotting and indigestible? The more organic charms of Norway's Magnet may appeal—or they could be equally filling-bothering. Magnet has been described as a troubadour, and he does sound like a well-scrubbed type, roaming medieval courts with politely composed verses of love. His impressive command of genre alone should keep the king's axe from his neck; there's a gently loping dubby skank underlying She's Gone, and the perfumed air of Rufus Wainwright wafts over the title song's string arrangement. Your easiest way in might be Lonely No More, which confidently marries its optimistic lyric to door-knocking drums and gentle horns—and you'd have to be a real piker to hate it. Perhaps its effete vocals and shiny self-production will pall eventually, but today The Simple Life stinks of springtime.

The Gospel Song: Otherwise known as Even Johansen from the city of Bergen in Norway, Magnet is one of those mysterious citizens of the world who have spent part of their life living near Lockerbie in Scotland and recorded under their given name, as a member of Libido and Chocolate Overdose while also contributing to a version of Bob Dylans Lay Lady Lay to the soundtrack of Mr And Mrs Smith. We are particularly drawn to the backing vocals on this.

Time Out | March 2008

Volatile track from Hermetix album 'The Simple Life': Time to big up Even Johansen, whose take on Nilsson and The Beach Boys has him adding backbeats and gently flickering electronica to his sweetly mournful champer pop and reflecting something of KD Lang's forlorn, Malibu-sunset allure. Lovely.

Stereo Subversion | November 2007 | by Karen Looney | 7.5/10

The older I get, the more I believe I'd be happier if I moved to a small west coast town and spent the rest of my life working in a comic shop or growing my own food on my own land. After all, the more one simplifies the less stress one carries in their shoulders. My days would be occupied with quiet, contemplative walks in the woods, Sunday marshmallow roasts in the backyard, afternoons of writing in my living room with the family pet for company. It's the kind of life my dad would call me a lazy bum for and demand to know why he spent all that money on college.

Luckily, my sentiments are shared. Norwegian folk pop artist Magnet has titled his fourth full-length album The Simple Life and it is indeed the perfect escape for those seeking serenity. Magnet, a.k.a. singer/songwriter Even Johansen, has written, performed, and produced nearly every song here by his lonesome, a testament to his abilities. Dreamy string arrangements, idyllic guitar rhythms, and evocative percussion conjure up pastoral images of campfire gatherings and dazzling night skies. The album is introspective yet brilliantly lush, giving cosmic significance to inner dreams and uncertainties. Magnet's gentle voice sings of relationship worries with both longing and graceful acceptance, sounding like a warmer Chris Martin.

[full review]

Broken Dial | November 12, 2007 | by Holly L. Perry | 3/5

Magnet, also known as the Norwegian Even Johansen, draws you in on his fourth full length release with blends of folk with modern pop beats, horns, harmonicas and an array of symphonic strings. The album has eclectic characteristics - it's catchy, soft, upbeat, sweet, lovelorn and innocent. It makes you want to give Even a hug. It's sure to make female listeners swoon. He has developed a full sound with the array of instruments he pours into the songs, each one uniquely contributing to the album and captivating the listener enough to differentiate between them. Move over Jens Lekman.

[full review]

The Owl Mag | November 2007 | by Kiri Oliver | 4/5

On Magnet's genre-defying third album, Even Johansen's smooth, bluesy crooning is paired with a blend of primal rhythms, country banjo, and elegant horn and string accents. Johansen recorded and produced The Simple Life by himself, only bringing in other musicians for the horn and string arrangements. Johansen’s personal attachment to the musical process is evident; the album maintains an intimate quality throughout despite the grandeur of many of the songs. Highlights include opening track "The Gospel Song," which explodes to life in a flurry of hand claps and foot stomps; "She's Gone," a Reggae-inflected breakup song that features jaunty whistling; and "Lucid," a gentle piano ballad. Classy, layered and mesmerizing, the songs on The Simple Life reaffirm Johansen’s talent and unique songwriting vision.

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Express: The Washington Post | October 25, 2007 | by Chris Mincher

EVEN JOHANSEN, AKA MAGNET, is one of the leading indie-pop talents in his home country of Norway, but, in four years of promoting records, has had a hard time appealing to the rest of his continental peers.

“In the United Kingdom, it’s not so much about whether you can play or not; it’s about whether you’re wearing the right pants or not,” he said.

But, for Magnet at least, there appears to be a musical connection between Norway and the United States, where his airy, atmospheric rock has built a consistently expanding fan base that’s sure to widen even further with his newest effort, “The Simple Life” (Filter U.S.) a warmly inviting set of sunny, acoustic-focused rock that’s sure to appeal to fans of Josh Rouse, Rufus Wainwright or Jason Falkner (with whom Johansen collaborated on his last record, 2005’s “Tourniquet”).

“In the United States, people are more open and seem to appreciate craftsmanship,” Johansen said. “Fans seem open, and when someone seems honest about what they’re doing, it’s easier to connect here than in other places.”

[full review]

Obscure Sound | October 22, 2007

When listening to music, whether you are an amateur or an apparent know-it-all, it is usually easy to recognize when an artist is on the verge of mainstream success. Providing a sense of both instant accessibility and amiability, the genre of pop (when done right) has been the most common output for this type of success. Well, due to the recent failures over the past few years of many one-hit pop wonders, it is entirely realistic to say that Evan Johansen is perhaps too good for mainstream pop. While it is common to discover a sound of guiltless radio-friendly accessibility in Johansen’s impressive arsenal of expansive pop songs, his array of executional methods in devising a brilliant hook is too original to classify him within the realm of mainstream hopefuls. Going under the name of Magnet, this does not seem to be what he is striving for either; I mean that entirely as a compliment, as most artists with conventional intentions fall flat on their faces. While Sweden has taken the crown for having arguably the largest number of underrated indie-pop artists, Norway also makes a strong case. Though the small European country does not have as large of number making a global impact, the quality of these Norwegian artists who actually do break out is nothing short of remarkable.

[full review]

Bullz-Eye | October 12, 2007 | by Mike Farley | 3.5/5

Magnet, a.k.a. Norwegian alternative/electro-pop artist Evan Johansen, is back with his third studio album, The Simple Life. It's a reflection of Magnet's life as a husband and father living on a farm in Norway, and while it may lack some of the edge of previous albums, this is clearly an artist who knows how to bang out songs. In fact, the only thing you can find fault in is that Magnet may have Josh Rouse disease—that is, he's too prolific for his own good, resulting in a somewhat watered-down batch of music. Still, The Simple Life finds the ever-experimental Magnet enjoying his career, particularly on the upbeat and horn-infused "Lonely No More." There's also the reggae-inspired "She's Gone," banjo-laced "A Little Happier," and the crooner-ish title track. And "Slice of Heaven" might be Magnet's best song yet. All of these are symbols of that simple life Magnet has come to know, as well as the fun he seems to be having making music for us all.

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411mania.com | September 30, 2007 | by Matt Reno | 7/10

A ray of light shines amidst the darkness of the Norway music scene. In a country known for producing some of the heaviest and most evil metal performed by extravagantly costumed and menacingly made-up rock warriors, it's surprising to hear an artist like Magnet. That surprise is sure to be a welcome one for those seeking an eclectic blend of laid-back styles created by a talented musician.

[full review]

Hero Hill | September 28, 2007

Magnet - AKA Even Johansen - is back with a new record, The Simple Life. While the title suits the laid back nature of his songs, it doesn't accurately describe the instrumentation and diversity he puts into the project. Despite the skill of his last record, The Tourniquet, Even didn't blow up like I thought he might and with this release I sense more of the same reaction.

Although Magnet still relies on a lot of the same melodies (Volatile sounds like it could have been a b-side fro the Tourniquet and Navigator is comfort food for fans), the first major difference you'll hear is the banjo infused country twang he uses on several songs (A Little Happier, The Gospel Song). While it hits home with me, people who fell in love with his lush arrangements and floating melodies might be put off.

[full review]

TransformOnline | September 19, 2007 | by Tim Den

After venturing into folktronica territory with The Tourniquet, Magnet (Norwegian producer/songwriter Even Johanssen) has returned to the rootsier, organic sound of On Your Side. You won’t find glitches or beeps-n-bloops here, just plucked banjos, handclaps, barnyard stomping, and some occasional choir-ish singing. It makes sense, seeing as Johanssen recently started a family of his own on a piece of farmland in his home country. The songs reflect the lifestyle well: you can almost hear the sun rise over the animals, as Johanssen awakes to make breakfast for his kids. Whatever they’re having, it definitely ain’t no Southern cooking, cuz the hands that make ‘em are Scandinavian after all: instead of an overwhelming Americana vibe, The Simple Life reminds one more of grey skies, a warm fire raging in the house as a snowstorm weeps outside, and icy waves crashing on desolate shores. No no no, it ain’t Immortal either, cuz the songs here give you shelter from all the elements. You can hear all the commotion outside, sure, but inside the farm you are safe, dry, and loved.

The Simple Life is the story of one man settling down, learning to appreciate the small details of life, and writing some damn good songs about it.

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Better Living Through MP3 | September 14, 2007 | by Ken Micallef

Magnet is Norway's Even Johansen, whose fourth album, The Simple Life (Filter), quickly rocketed to the top of the Norwegian charts upon its release. Why Magnet? At the dawn of puberty, Even was struck down by a mysterious illness, one that would influence his woozy dream pop for years to come...

Anemic at the age of 13, Even was hustled off to a "Rock ‘N' Roll doctor" by his jazz musician father. "[The doctor] was wearing a white lab coat, but I think he may have been a drug dealer," Even recalls. The doc sent him to a half-Chinese, half-Indian medicine man, who gave him a tattoo of a magnet, colored with "special" ink. After passing out from the pain, Even awoke to find that he was cured: "I was stupid enough to believe it, but believing can work wonders. To this day, I have not suffered [from anemia] once. I am a magnet."

The Simple Life is surely a magnet for music lovers. Recalling a more inventive Rufus Wainwright or a supremely inspired Beck, Magnet produces sweeping pop songs that belie their creation in his island home on a Bergen farm.

[full review]

Flaunt Magazine | September 2007 | by Richard Thomas

From press darlings Erlend Øye, Sondre Lerche and Röyksopp to new blood like Datarock, the city of Bergen Norway, has a knack for churning out quirky and endearing "It" bands at a widely consistent rate. Magnet's Even Johansen, whose lush pop sound combines a largely acoustic palate with some electronic tinkering and big dollops of orchestration, seems to catch more Coldplay meets Air comparisons than well deserved praise. The fact is, while Johansen's hushed delivery of boy-meets-girl repartee can be just as dramatic as the backing music, his arrangements are dynamic and beautifully unpredictable. As a multi-instrumentalists, he's able to insert panache without being precious. As a lyricist, he appreciates the balance between sentiment and sentimentality, something Chris Martin is still learning. The Simple Life, Johansen's third record as Magnet, should help distance him from the pack, mostly because he's bolstered his sensual, forlorn songwriting with that most terrifying and unhip of musical devices: a whole lotta fun. For starters, listen to the country-boy whistling on "She's Gone," The banjo plucking on "A Little Happier," and the congregational foot stomps and hand claps on the opener " Gospel Song." Contrast that with blunt realizations like "At least you said you loved me one time you were on top of me" and "I still call you my love but you don't call me at all," and this subversive emotional duality rises to the surface. Johansen said that he wanted The Simple Life to be a "bluegrass album," one that reflected his pastoral life in the country with his two children, his goats, and his farm. Sure, I'll buy that, but you can tell there are times he'd like to take his old lady out behind the barn and give her what for.

Sentimentalist Magazine | September 2007 | by Liz Worth

An intimate, uncompromising album, The Simple Life is a reflection of just that: everyday living. A blend of bluegrass twinges, artful minimalism, and lush acoustics, Magnet brainchild Even Johansen conveys a sense of impressionable charm with songs like "Lonely No More" and "Volatile." Clattering drums often leak beyond the margins, giving a haphazard feel to many tracks, creating an astute representation of how unpredictable this album, and the life it represents, can be among even the most serene moments.

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Blogcritics Magazine | August 28, 2007 | by Timothy Jarrett

When an artist is so moved by the release of his new album as to go out and break a world record for highest-altitude concert, it's hard to avoid puns about other high things: spirits, melodies, hopes. Norwegian artist Magnet raised just such allusions in a March solo acoustic performance of his new album in a plane between Oslo and Reykjavik (in-flight altitude: 40,000 feet; check the video). Now the album is being released stateside, and the question is: will the high spirits of the album live up to the high hopes for its release? Will its world record for altitude take the album to similar heights on the charts?

Before we tackle those questions&emdash;what is it about Scandanavian indie rock artists? First Peter Bjorn and John come out of nowhere (er, Sweden) with "Young Folks," with a whistle hook to die for (and which is already being sampled by Kanye West). Now Magnet, aka Even Johansen, brings a brilliant collection of pop songwriting in his third full-length, The Simple Life, along with pop production that the Shins would give eyeteeth for. What is it about the Scandanavians? Something in the Northern Lights, perhaps.

[full review]

The Music Box | May 2007 | by Melissa Stroh | 5

Most artists fail to make one good album, let alone two or three. Those who do manage to accomplish this task are now either: a) in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or b) flying so far under the radar that no one even notices. Well, Even Johansen (a.k.a. Magnet) belongs to the second category. This Norway native has been crafting quality endeavors for years, but his most recent release The Simple Life manages to top them all.

Johansen, who obtained his nickname from a questionable tattoo that he received when he was younger, is the king of contradictions. Everything from The Simple Life's title to each song's subject matter is a lesson in how to properly use the vagaries—that is, the dark and light, the loud and soft, and the dirty and clean—of a situation to his advantage. Though the title indicates a lack of complexity, the lessons found inside Johansen's tales of drunken nights spent banging on lovers'’ doors, finally finding true love, and remembering a friend that tragically was lost are not easy ones to absorb.

[full review]

Bergens Tidende | March 30, 2007 | by Steinar Øie | 4/6

Even Johansen er en pålitelig kar. Annenhver vår kommer det en ny plate fra den tidligere Chocolate Overdose- og Libido-gitaristen. Årets «The Simple Life» er det fjerde i rekken siden debuten «Quiet and Still» i 2001. De siste årene har Magneten brukt til å etablere seg som en musiker som nyter stor respekt i de fleste kretser. Både klubbfolk og rockere liker å stresse ned fra hverdagens kjas og mas med en neddempet og ettertenksom Magnet-plate i spilleren. Nytt av året er det at Magnet har valgt å ikke fortsette samarbeidet med den Los Angeles-bosatte altmuligmannen Jason Falkner, som produserte 2005 - utgivelsen «The Tourniquet». På «The Simple Life» gjør Johansen det meste selv, og så vel albumkunst som albumtittel kan vel gjerne leses som en hyllest til de enkle - og nære - gleder. Mannen har kommet til Askøy for å bli, antar vi.

[full review]

NRK - p3 | March 29, 2007 | by Marius Asp | 6/6

Johansen, også kjent som Magneten sjæl, har all grunn til å smile underfundig på omslaget til sin fjerde plate: Det er nemlig dette albumet norske poputgivelser må måles opp mot i 2007. "The Simple Life" vil sannsynligvis skyggelegge dem alle.

Vi snakker elleve perfekte poplåter, intet mindre, med hue og hjerte på rett sted og en ellevilt elegant produksjon som ryggrad. I fraværet av powerpop-helt Jason Falkner, som produserte "The Tourniquet", trer Magnet sine i utgangspunktet ukompliserte låter over rytmiske korpus som skuler nysgjerrig mot Jamaica, legger til filmatiske orkesterrykk og balanserer det hele mot denne stemmen han er i besittelse av; beroligende, hudløs, uanstrengt.

[full review]

VG Nett | March 27, 2007 | by Stein Oøstbø | 4/6

I Magnet-sammenheng er åpningslåten til denne platen nesten lystig med sin fiffige håndklapp-rytme. I det hele tatt er «The Simple Life» en plate hvor faktisk en rekke originale arrangementer skaper en helhet som denne gangen fremstår hakket hvassere enn selve låtene. Dermed glemmer vi også raskt at stemmen til Magnet (Even Johansen) ofte fremstår lite variert og nesten for forsiktig, men det er ikke til å underslå at Magnet her må få ekstrapoeng for å gjøre sitt melankolske univers atskillig bredere enn før – ikke minst gjennom en vårkåt låt som plystre-reggae’n «She’s Gone». «The Simple Life» er en plate som trenger tid før den fester seg, men da oppdager man også at den inneholder mer enn nok av den samme egenskapen som Even Johansens artistnavn har.

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Dagbladet.no | March 27, 2007 | by Torgrim Øyre | 5/6

Even «Magnet» Johansens nye plate deler tittel med den begredelige Paris Hilton-realityserien. Der stopper også likheten, rent bortsett fra at begge har utspring fra en bondegård. Det er ingen dyr i fjøset til Magneten, men låven er derimot arnested for noe av den fineste popmusikken som lages her til lands.

Etter å ha forsøkt poplykken med Libido i London på midten av 90-tallet, gjorde Even Johansen eksil-skotte av seg. Der pludret han blant annet fram den nydelige solodebuten «Quiet and Still» (2000), til stor lykke for de heldige, men få, som oppdaget den allsidige og lavmælte bergenseren.

[full review]

Aftenposten | March 26, 2007 | by Cecilie Asker | 6/6

I fysikken er magnetisme en egenskap ved materialer som gjør at de utøver enten en tiltrekkende eller en frastøtende kraft på andre materialer. Even "Magnet" Johansens musikk sørger helt klart for det første.

Ved hjelp av to albumutgivelser har han så langt utviklet og etablert en popsound som ikke kunne vært signert av noen andre enn ham. På sitt tredje album tar han dette enda et skritt videre i retning av mer storslått orkestrering.

[full review]

Avisa Nordland | March 26, 2007 | by Rune Slyngstad | 5/6

Even Magnet Johansen kunne sikkert ha laget en superkommersiell popplate uten elementer av motstand. Og prikket seg inn på toppen av salgslistene. Men så enkelt vil ikke magneten gjøre det. Med sin fjerde plate, The simple life, gir han oss heller et album som låter bedre den sjette gangen du hører det enn den første. For førsteinntrykket er at han leker seg i meste laget med perkusjon og rytmikk, og at de sterke melodiene blir overskygget av det.

[full review]