The new Looptroop Rockers album "Good things" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/looptrooprockers
Also check out the group's new video blog right here: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&channelid=36552526
Norwegian experimental artist Maja Ratkje (Fe-Mail, Spunk, etc.) has a new solo album entitled "River mouth echoes" out now on John Zorn's renown and respected label Tzadik as part of their "composer series": http://www.tzadik.com/index.php?catalog=8051
Kristian Anttila's new album "Lille Napoleon" will finally be out in June with the first single "Smutser" out on May 12.
Curious about Finnish hardcore act Lighthouse Project and their upcoming 7" + DVD release "Misanthropic humanist"? Go here to read all about it along with a full update on what the band is up to: http://fireinsidemusic.com/lighthouseproject/mh7/15042008mh7.html
Candlelight Records has signed Sweidsh black-metal act IXXI and will be releasing their third album this summer. Listen to samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ixxiofficial
For all you Web 2.0 nerds who feel a desire to utilize every single tool available, I've created a Twitter feed for It's a Trap! news updates: http://twitter.com/itsatrapdotcom
It's not perfect yet, but I'm working on neatening it up.
64revolt has another new track posted for free download: http://www.64revolt.com/64revolt_-_Bite_the_Bullet.mp3
Swedish hip-hop artist Max Peezay embarassed the IFPI by asking to removed from a lawsuit they have pending against The Pirate Bay, forcing them to make a public apology. Read more about the debacle at The Local: http://www.thelocal.se/11144/20080416/
There's a high-profile feature on Danish pop act Alphabeat over at MSN UK: http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/music/first-look/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8063927
The new Firefox AK single "Once I was like you" comes out on May 7 and will include a new version written together with Swedish techno duo Laid (aka Zoo Brazil) as well as b-side remixes from Boeoes Kaelstigen, Kwato and Marcus Guentner. Hear the original album version at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/firefoxak
Swedish indie act Pinto have finished recording a new track so of course they are offering it up for free download: http://www.hanif.se/Whereverdidshego.mp3
Paddington DC, the solo project of Calle Olsson (The Bear Quartet, Paper), will release the new album "Från hat till handling" ("From hate to heaven") on June 6 in a limited edition of 100 copies.
MP3: Thomas Denver Jonsson - Like friends falling in love
So, continuing off of yesrerday's post, let's talk about Thomas Denver Jonsson. I've been eagerly waiting to hear his latest record "The lake acts like an ocean" as his last album, 2005's "Barely touching it", was quite good. Thomas had also been telling me that a copy was on the way for a few months now, but due to various issues, he wasn't able to get me one until last week (also to coincide with the wider European release). Anyhow, the music here couldn't be more different than Ondo- Thomas plays country-rock in a slightly melancholy, shambolic way, not too far from Will Oldham, Songs:Ohia and the like. He's definitely got a bit of Oldham's warble; an odd mix of resignation and resolve, something that's especially apparent on tracks like "Like friends falling in love". Most of the material on the album features full-band instrumentation, but I'm drawn to this number because of its charming simplicity and sweet sentiment. It's the pure essence of TDJ. Not only that, it helps to express his oft-professed love for his friends. Whether it's singing ballads to them, working in collaborations (there's more than a few duets on the record, besides the aforementioned A Perfect Friend project w/Ondo) or interviewing them on the interweb, Thomas is a people person. He makes connection. I appreciate that.
Thomas Denver Jonsson - Like friends falling in love
Niccokick
The good times we shared, were they so bad?
Startracks
Niccokick don't seem to have changed much since I last saw them live with Snook four years ago (no, not in Uppsala). They still very much embody the typical sound of "Swedish" indie-rock with its anthemic melodies and carpets of distorted guitars. Singer Andreas Söderlund has been pretty active in the meantime (in sideproject Sounds like Violence and as producer of acts such as Hello Saferide and David and the Citizens) and it shows. Niccokick's sound is more diverse on their second LP than previously -- the additional synths and the odd cello have definitely helped. And while Andreas' voice comes across as desperate as ever, it's nice to hear him cover other emotions as well. The songwriting is similarly passionate and direct, yet never embarrassing, and generally very dancable and catchy. Actually, that's also the record's main problem: all that energy, passion, and directness can become a bit too much at times. It's still a very good indierock album though, great for the
dancefloor and probably even better when performed live on stage.
- Arnulf Köhncke
