The Legends’ sole fixed member is Johan AngergÃ¥rd, Labrador Records founder, Acid House Kings and Club 8 member, and basically all-round pop genius. Threading throughout his musical career has been a sort of reflecting of pop from the last 40-50 years, every project in some way pulls in different things from his favourite records and then shines them back out. From 60s styled baroque/psych/lounge pop, to Motwon, to icy 80s new wave, to post-punk miserablism, to C86 noisy enthusiasm, he is equipped to at least keep you guessing as to what will come next, if nothing else. When AngergÃ¥rd is at his best, though, he is able to come up with a record that stands as a contribution to the tradition he is borrowing from. Too, his own distinct melodies, methods of performing and production choices have a distinctly cool refreshing air about them, like fresh bracing winds, which helps to define his work as something different and exciting.Nowhere better to jump into talking about new album Over And Over than here, as the title track sounds exactly like a Siberian gale is blowing through it. His vocals shimmer as they are overdubbed with themselves, trailing on the extended intro piece, before a Smiths-y fey jangle starts up. All that, though, is obscured by piercing feedback sounds (presumably guitar generated) blasting through, like flossing your ears with barbed wire. Similarly, second track ‘Seconds Away’ nearly decapitates you on first listen, where peppy reverb-smudged pop gets molested by Merzbow ruthlessness.The first album under the name The Legends was (is) a noise pop gem, JAMC production, but with a happier fey danceable quality. Subsequent albums have apparently (I’ve never heard them) veered off into The Cure, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk territory, perhaps gaining a smidgen less critical praise than the well-received debut. So with this in mind, the extreme feedback and distortion found in some tracks on this album is a return to a well-received style, but is also a little mischievous in that it comes close to un-listenable in the process, possibly a knowing half-trick played by AngergÃ¥rd on those pining for the good old noisy days. It’s a good job those songs are great, some of the best on the album, ‘Always The Same’ being the highlight (female vocals singing an irresistibly catchy song, kinda like Saturday Looks Good To Me styled retro pop with head-rush noisiness).Providing relief and no small amount of pleasure are less sonically punishing tracks like ‘Monday To Saturday’ and ‘Jump’ which could easily have appeared on a Club 8 album, (the former featuring Karolina Komstedt, AngergÃ¥rd’s Club 8 co-member), full of gentle lulling pop. ‘Something Strange Will Happen’ is also notable for it’s Krauty droning and motorik thuds. If you can get over the Siberian winds (you Times New Viking fans have had some practice at this) then there is yet another worthwhile Labrador album to be snapped up here. 75%The Legends on MySpace