I suspect I'm not the only one who reviews all-girl rock bands with a higher-than-usual bout of optimism, a utopian belief that one day chicks can tip the profane masculine iceberg known as R'N'R -- but who also, when duly disappointed, applies as swift and sharp double-edged Kenzo sword. As a disclaimer, I'd like to say I began listening to this record in a key of "10". Anyone who's been privy to modern chick bands -- yes, 80% of which I believe royally suck -- still, without a doubt know the two stalwarts from the 2000s onwards are: The Donnas and the band under review, Sahara Hotnights. This year they've come out with their 6th, "self-titled" album, after having released only covers in 2009. My quip with these two bands is, however talented or resilient they've been, is that they've wavered musically by dabbling in too many styles, trying on various genres like prom dresses. The Donnas went from their days as safety-pin wearin' punks to Sheryl Crow wannabes, to now- a glossy, cock-rock, hair-metal image. WTF? While Sahara Hotnights haven't undergone nearly as drastic an image change, blanket marketing of their hits as "garage punk" vs. "80's radio pop" often left me in wonderment. But their super cool stage candour and Maria Andersson's powerful voice tended to make them the favourite of the pair.
This album certainly proves they cohere as a band, if not in a slightly more grown-up way. They can croon with the age-wisdom of blues devotees and chant joyfully like teenagers at a rally. Yet, as a complete entity, this album blows. Maybe I come with too high of expectations... but so much feels wrong. The song order, the monotonous lyrics, the flow and surprisingly, the lack of self-realization where their strengths lie. Then again, maybe I'm over-intellectualizing it and should retreat as a goofy geezer whose pants wet at any band sounding remotely like The Shangri-Las or Huggy Bear.
Naw.
I mean, if SH wrote an album of songs as meaty and compact as "781", track seven, I wouldn't be complaining. Sure, it sounds like a throwback, but we've already discussed how these ladies have been successfully doing just that the last decade. It's straight, ballsy and to the fuckin' point and that's exactly what I want to hear.
Sometimes I feel talking about girls in rock is like talking about reverse discrimination in the workplace. To compensate for the lack of badly needed estrogen, some subconsciously devalue what would be harsh standards applied to the same music performed by dudes. Sahara Hotnights have all the potential in the world to change how we see music, and they undoubtedly know how to rock, but their latest [and last, so it seems -Ed.] shows the iconic album we dream for, still remains en route. - Ann Sung-an Lee
Apparently the long-awaited new Hanna Hirsch LP "Gå hem över himlen" is finally back from being mastered and has sent to press which, assuming all goes well, will mean that it will be out by the end of the year.
The new Owl Vision album "Zybersect" is now streaming in its entirety via SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/owlvision/sets/zybersect/
It's a fun record recommended for anyone who might be into the idea of goth-tinged house.
A new song from Björn Kleinhenz, a different version of which will appear on "The fall of discontent" - a collaboration with photographer Simon Rydén due out this coming December.
will be releasing the new Hans Appelqvist soundtrack album "Sjunga slutet nu" on November 23, but earlybirds can pick it up at the show with Tape this Thursday, November 10 at Rönnells Antikvariat in Stockholm. More info on the record here: http://www.hapna.com/H47.html
, the label run by the fine folks in Ironville, have signed Tvärvägen and will be releasing their new album "Staring directly into the sun" in early 2012 on both digital and vinyl.
has put together a small remix collection, featuring tracks from Nottee, Karl X Johan and World Tour -- full streaming and more info here: http://eeemotion.se/music/remixes/
It has been revealed that Ghost will finally be coming over to the US/Canada for a short tour in 2012 alongside fellow occult rockers Blood Ceremony and Ancient VVisdom. Dates!
01/18 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
01/19 - Rock'n'Roll Hotel, Washington D.C.
01/20 - Middle East Downstairs, Boston, MA
01/21 - Corona Theatre, Montreal, QC
01/22 - The Mod Club, Toronto, ON
01/24 - Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
01/25 - Station Four, St. Paul, MN
01/27 - Marquis Theatre, Denver, CO
01/28 - The Vertigo, Salt Lake City, UT
01/30 - El Corazon, Seattle, WA
01/31 - Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
02/01 - Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco, CA
02/02 - The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Sahara Hotnights