Music to Watch- The Radio Dept

Swedish people must know something the rest of us don't. The highly emotive pop of The Radio Dept is such a step up from anything available on the US scene that it simply has to be something in the water that has allowed for this Swedish invasion (Lykke Li, The Knife, Robyn, etc_). The Radio Dept's latest album is entitled 'Clinging to a Scheme' and it's so amazing you have to go out and buy it now. The often evocative, sometimes sad and always beautiful songcraft indicate the band's maturity of character and sound. The highlights are many but the best songs are the bookends. 'Domestic Scene' opens the album with the autumnal sounds of Scandinavia and segues into the equally excellent 'Heaven's on Fire'. The album moves forward and grows with each track until the fantastic closer 'You Stopped Making Sense'.
The album is never bitter despite the pain it expresses. The vocals by Elin Almared stand up admirably to the intricate orchestral arrangements; the end result is pop through and through. Remind me again why American pop music doesn't try to make you think? What happened to American pop music that the best acts around are all Swedish? Though, I won't complain too loudly though as long as I can continue downloading works like this.