Album Review: 4 The Love Of Stop And Look Around by The Torpedoes
Alright, buckle up, because this one’s a trip back to 1984—Sweden-style. The Torpedoes’ 4 The Love Of Stop And Look Around is like that old pair of jeans you forgot about but rediscover in the back of your closet. It’s got charm, quirks, and just enough swagger to make you wonder why it didn’t get more love back in the day.
First off, let’s talk vibes. This album straddles pop and rock with ease, leaning into what I’d call “Pop Rock with heart.” You’ve got Peter af Uhr leading the charge on vocals, sounding like he’s been dipped in honey and rolled in gravel. His voice has this raw edge that makes you sit up straight when he belts out those choruses. And then there are the credits—Anne-Lie Rydé and Maria Wickman adding some angelic backing vocals? Johan Ekelund holding down the basslines like they’re sacred artifacts? Yeah, these folks weren’t messing around.
Now, onto the tracks. If I had to pick two songs that stuck with me, it’d be the title track (Stop And Look Around) and the single version of 4 The Love Of $. Let’s break ‘em down real quick.
“Stop And Look Around” feels like cruising down a coastal highway at sunset. The guitar work from Jonas Axmark and Lars Finberg is crisp yet laid-back, like they knew exactly how much space to leave for Peter’s voice to shine through. There’s something about the way the percussion (courtesy of Hasse Rolin) subtly drives the rhythm without ever stealing the spotlight—it’s almost hypnotic. By the second chorus, you’ll find yourself singing along even if you don’t know all the words. Trust me; it happens.
Then there’s “4 The Love Of $ (Single Version).” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s punchier, tighter, and feels tailor-made for radio play. The saxophone solo by Per Blom sneaks in like an uninvited guest who ends up being the life of the party. That horn section adds this unexpected layer of funkiness that makes the whole thing feel alive. Plus, the lyrics have this cheeky vibe, like they’re poking fun at materialism while secretly loving every minute of it. You can’t help but bob your head to this one.
What really ties everything together is the production. Producer Pontus Ohlsson clearly understood the assignment here. Everything sounds polished but not overdone, letting the band’s chemistry take center stage. These guys weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they were just making damn good music.
So yeah, 4 The Love Of Stop And Look Around might not have set the world on fire back in ’84, but it deserves another listen today. It’s the kind of album that reminds you music doesn’t always need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it whispers—and still leaves a mark.
Oh, and here’s the kicker: Listening to this record made me realize how much we could use a modern-day Torpedoes revival. Can someone please tell Spotify algorithms to start suggesting Swedish pop-rock gems from the '80s? Thanks.
