"One aural peek into Safety In Numbers from Surrounded and you'll chalk up another victory for Sweden, as drums crack like burning wood and synths backfire like classic Mercury Rev. And then there are melodies here that resonate the power of gospels and slide in the air like broadcast signals barely revealed underneath all the layers but always felt. Epic? Certainly. But like most Swedish bands, it isn't length or the cosmetics that make them so great; simply the gorgeous songs. Surrounded's might be longer than most of their fellow countrymen, but they're every ounce as emotionally weighted and spiritually swollen." - Lollipop

"Surrounded creates a truly celestial, compelling record with Safety In Numbers that communicates a meek and frail beauty; an ultimate idea that in some ways can be touched and embraced, yet in reality is always just a fingertip away. Singer Marten Rydell is cryptic, but at the same time earnest and pleading. The ethereal, masterfully orchestrated music can sometimes disconnect one from his grim tales of kitten murders and crowds of apes, but serves to provide a shocking, invigorating reconnection." - Bandoppler

"Surrounded creates lush, modern rock on its artfully crafted debut album, Safety In Numbers. Launched with Linear Elevator, a mournful but captivating instrumental stomp, the disc soon drifts into the abundant soundscape of Exit Serenade. Safety In Numbers gives a little more away with each listen, and with adventurous songcraft like this, it's doubtful that disciples of Mercury Rev and Sparklehorse will mind dissecting pieces of this triumphant entry." - Allmusic

"Safety In Numbers is of the soaring, spaced-out variety; Guitarist Marcus Knutsson borrows the epic haze of Mercury Rev and Emil Petersson adds grandiose, orchestral keyboards that bring to mind Sigur Ros. It's all very innocent and playful, but you get the vague sense Surrounded may be using innocence to veil a deep political statement; the reality of American gluttony and the incompetence of our current administration are two easy targets that spring to mind. But the beauty of Safety In Numbers is that Surrounded coats these political truths in layers of gorgeous melody and opaque guitar noise. As any trickster knows, sweet always tastes better going down." - Magnet

"Safety In Numbers is one of those albums that's soothing to the ears, and Surrounded have created a sound that is strange, yet beautiful at the same time. Melodic guitars, spacey synth and deep, complex lyrics make this album what it is. Sometimes sad, sometimes uplifting, these songs make you sit back and think. Marten Rydell's voice lingers in the background just like another instrument in the symphony of sound. The album is experimental, original and symphonic. Hard to believe it's their first release." - Bettawreckonize

"Surrounded put together a darn good album with Safety In Numbers. Much like Grandaddy without the psychedelic meandering, the band has similarly cryptic, strikingly obtuse lyrics which sometimes take a backseat to Martin Rydell's beautiful arrangements and emotional vocal delivery. Within Safety In Numbers lie melancholy and introspective moments where there is a subtle, twinkle-of-the-eye optimism conveyed through unhurried guitar, quiet organ and sparse percussion. Layers upon layers of hushed electric guitars are lovingly wrapped around strings, ambient noise and radio chatter. Safety In Numbers is great soundtrack for quality time with oneself." - Lost At Sea

"Safety In Numbers is a purposefully conceived and delicately recorded album. The time and care taken is telling when Surrounded gently seep into your stereo and wash out of your speakers. Gentle Mercury Rev-esque songs haunt and sedate you almost simultaneously as deep laments are carefully concealed within layers of metaphors and richly textured tracks. Orchestral backing on songs like On Top Of The World send the band into orbit and add an ethereal feel to their music. Calling them lo-fi would be insulting as each song is a grand project rather than a mere musical meander; synthesizers and mellotrons add a sensibility to some tracks like Blood Orange Wheels but the metronome rhythms and mood-inducing peaks ensure that Surrounded are heard in glorious surround sound." - Rock Sound

"Safety In Numbers from Surrounded is a moody and dreamy description of life in a dark domain. Marten Rydell's vocals are gargled over, sometimes hushed and tender, but always haunted. On Top Of The World is a great emotional, looking up at you song, while maudlin gets a fresh shine with Blood Orange Wheels and Better Not Be So, where the fingerprints of contemporary artists like Azure Ray and Idlewild are only a light dusting away." - Cosmik Debris

"Surrounded plays dark, orchestral and atmospheric music not unlike Mercury Rev or Sigur Ros. The vocals of Marten Rydell sound filtered, which makes them even more mournful. The label speaks of an celestial epic....I'd call Safety In Numbers the best autumn record of 2003. Highly recommended." - Dance Of Days

"Layered in lush instrumentation and deep sonic textures, Safety In Numbers from Surrounded is a complex and elaborately woven album. Owing as much to the Jesus And Mary Chain as to My Bloody Valentine, their strength lies in the fact that they're in no hurry to get to catchy choruses and instead let the songs breath and expand in dreamy bursts. From the fuzzed-out melancholy of Exit Serenade to the ethereal bliss of Pro-Files, Surrounded are a band that possess a rare hypnotic intensity." - Amplifier

"Surrounded - who seem to be disciples of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and that band's progenitors, Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips - create arresting soundscapes of a quality on par with their influences. On Safety In Numbers, the forcefully whispered and spoken, distorted vocals are reminiscent of Slint's Spiderland and are laid over a hypnotic bed of effected guitars, keyboards, and samples. The lyrics are of the abstruse, poetic variety and the music is just too good to deny." - Soundcheck

"Safety In Numbers from Surrounded is another beautiful and brilliant achievement from Sweden. With music this delicate, mellotrons dancing with cellos, lines from poems whispered so close to the microphone you hear every nuance of the voice, it has to be that Surrounded are beyond petty distractions. The songs and images approach at an oblique angle, insinuating themselves into your mind by slipping around the barriers. If you're allergic to pretty music or atmospheric bliss, you might find yourself resisting, but that resistance will be futile. To go off by yourself and think dark, impenetrable thoughts, spending time in your own mind contemplating the chaos of the external, illusory world, needs a soundtrack, and Surrounded is there for you." - Culture Bunker

"Surrounded bring an atmospheric rock sound to your doorstep via Safety In Numbers. They have a lot in common with Iron and Wine but they're even more lush and expansive. Surrounded take the listener away from reality for a moment and the band has created quite an original album here. The music is compelling, lush and beautiful, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Safety In Numbers end up on a few best of 2003 lists later on this year." - Music Emissions

"The very name Surrounded proves apropos in that Safety In Numbers comes at you from almost three-dimensional directions with multiple layers of texture. For 47 minutes you are literally surrounded by sound. If ever there was an album deserving of the term 'headphone-core,' this is it. You could spend hours dissecting the various guitars, keyboards, samples and strings. Even the boundaries of drum sounds get pushed into new, experimental directions at times. With their soothing, glassy guitars and pensive lyrics, Surrounded may have created the perfect album to either chill out to, or contemplate the nature of the world and human existence. Honestly, it doesn't matter much so long as you check out Safety In Numbers." - 30music

"Safety In Numbers is grandiose, sweeping rock, with reverb-filled yet delicate guitar lines, anthemic melodies and loads of special effects. Surrounded has put together a fine album. It's a most engaging effort and these guys have real potential." - Aiding & Abetting

"The most compelling thing in Safety In Numbers from Surrounded is Marten Rydell's vocals. His style is low, almost whispered. With little effort though, he conveys great emotional content. Of course it doesn't hurt that he is backed by mellow drumming and layers of strings, keyboards, and other sounds to create a lush environment." - Impact Press

"Safety In Numbers from Surrounded includes a myriad of instruments and inspirations that create a symphonic blend of poetry and music that melds together smoothly for a humbly fleeting resonance of beauty and art. Surrounded has a very distinct sound. Marten Rydell's vocals vary in pitches and tones throughout this record with a home recording muffle that sounds like the tape is about to break at any moment. Safety In Numbers is full of deep, poetic lyrics and beautifully dense instrumentation. If you're familiar with Deep Elm, then you know the abundance of high caliber bands that are on their roster, and Surrounded fits in like a like a turtleneck at a MENSA banquet. This five piece packs a sweeping slap that's sure to leave a red mark on the face of emotive rock." - Indieworkshop

"Beautiful swirling dreamy pop music, Surrounded hail from Sweden, but they don't have that Swedish pop sound that has become increasingly familiar over the years. Instead, the band's hazy sound layered with guitars and airy keyboards is more reminiscent of bands like Sparklehorse and early Starflyer 59, with a hint of Leonard Cohen thrown in for good measure. Safety In Numbers would already be an impressive album, but it is even more so because this is the band's debut. For many, it would take years to reach a plateau like this. Surrounded's progressive pop features intriguing arrangements and super soft vocals that give the music a shaky sound that is strangely calming. And yet underneath it all there is a undercurrent that is difficult to define. Safety In Numbers is an ultimately satisfying platter featuring such gems as Linear Elevator, Diesel Palace, Blood Orange Wheels and Neglectarine. Superb." - Babysue

"Safety In Numbers has to the most surreal yet beautiful music I have heard in a while. Surrounded has this air of experimentation about them that gives off a soothing feel. I've never come across a band that mixes in the orchestrated sounds of the cello with electric synth, but it creates an obscure atmosphere that is aided by Marten Rydell's vocals and unusual lyrical metaphors. Honestly this is such a new, unique concept. To summarize Safety In Numbers...amazing!" - Kill The Noise

"Sometimes the most beautiful, fully-realized music will originate from the middle of nowhere. All twelve songs on "Safety In Numbers" move at a languid pace, some punctuated by various stringed instruments. Many of them begin in a naked state, quietly and steadily building and picking up layers of sobbing strings and ethereal embellishments, eventually to climax in an almost astral orchestra of pain disguised in angelically flowing currents that run the gamut of emotions. And they end suddenly, often with cryptic voices chattering in the distance. Think of "Safety In Numbers" as a rainy day forecast, with the possibility of some sun breaking through the grey." - Journal Review

"Safety In Numbers from Surrounded is a laid back, epic, sometimes fragile body of music that's the perfect soundtrack for these late summer days that are getting shorter, darker and colder. Melancholic and a little bit sad at the same time, this is music that makes you dream." - Voice Of Reason