The Second Band of 2008 is a bit different than the one you might remember from 2006's "Your dark side is on the phone". Less members, a bit rougher around the edges. Less straight-up pop, less optimistic, more yearning, more weary. Seems appropriate to me as the world is not as nice a place as it was two years ago. On the other hand, this also means they're sounding less unique. Do we need another Arcade Fire or Shout Out Louds? When they sound more like the former as on today's mp3 pick, I say yes. The song has drive and, as the title suggests, an urgency. Also, as with yesterday's mp3 selection, they throw in the odd off-notes to add atmosphere and tension. It's a clever ploy and without it, the song wouldn't be nearly as interesting despite that lovely drifting melody line during the verses. However, as self-assured as such tactics may be, I still get the impression that the band is having a bit of an identity crisis as the rest of their new album "The definite form" is anything but. They seem torn between embracing modern indierock and exploring their quiet, jazzier side which, come to think of it, kinda reminds me of The Book of Daniel the more I listen. I like this song a lot, but am not so sure it's the direction they ought to embrace.
The Second Band - The urgency of now
The video for the new Caesars single "Boo boo goo goo" is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD3WatP_4UE
Swedish artists El Perro Del Mar, Lykke Li and Anna Ternheim will tour North America together in May:
05/06 - Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
05/07 - Joe's Pub, New York, NY
05/08 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
05/09 - Middle East, Boston, MA
05/10 - Lambi, Montreal, Quebec
05/11 - Mod Club, Toronto, Ontario
05/12 - Schubas, Chicago, IL
05/14 - Red Room, Vancouver, British Columbia
05/15 - Triple Door, Seattle, WA
05/16 - Doug Fir, Portland, OR
05/18 - Bimbo's, San Francisco, CA
05/19 - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Curious to know more about the mysterious Swedish indie label cabal The Swedish Model? I had Martin Lundmark from member label A TenderVersion Recording answer a few questions for me. Read more: [click here]
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This 3-track 7" serves as the band's swansong, but considering that I had never heard them until this record showed up, it hardly matters. A fitting epitaph? Eh, probably not. Anyhow, Personkrets 3:1 play(ed) crusty hardcore with a pronounced metal influence that creeps through in the various breakdowns and quick solo breaks that pepper each song. They put it off competently enough, but it's just not that interesting for the most part. The one exception however is "Krigssång", a track based on an old poem by Dan Andersson which is by far the most melodic and best composed tune on the record. It makes me feel like if they embraced their metal side a bit more, they'd be a better band, but I suppose that's a moot point considering their current inactive status. Perhaps the ex-members' new band Misanthropic will tip the scales further one way or another, wait and see.
- Avi Roig
Zeigeist is back? See here: http://www.zeigeist.eu/
Looks like there's a new 7" on Spegel due out April 2.
Swedish label Release the Bats! will be putting out a few new releases from Finnish artist Uton in the near future. First up will be a 3CD split release with the label Last Visible Dog entitled "Deep inside the dream" featuring various old recordings. After that, there will be a Uton + Antony Milton collaboration LP under the name "NthNth/SthSth". Both will be out this coming spring with exact release dates to be confirmed soon.
Ihsahn reports that Opeth mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt contributes lead vocals to the track "Unhealer" on his upcoming solo record "angL". In addition, the Spiral Architect rhythm section of drummer Asgeir Mickelson and bassist Lars Norberg contribute to the entire album as well.
Swedish avant/drone duo Tape will release their new album "Luminarium" in April via Häpna, but before that in March, the label will reissue the group's first two out-of-print records "Opera" and "Milieu" with bonus tracks. There will also be a split 7" with Tenniscoats in March as well.
Black Star Foundation has announced the signing of Swedish act Holmes. The band is currently recording their debut album "Wolves" at Kepner Treg in Göteborg with Per-Ola Eriksson (Boy Omega, Björn Kleinheinz, The Book of Daniel) for release later this year. Hear demo tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/holmezzz
Read PopMatters correspondent Adrien Begrand's reports from by:Larm: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/blogs/notes-from-the-road/
Three of the dudes from Pain (including mainman Peter Tägtgren, also in Hypocrisy) were attacked in Leipzig while enjoying a day off on tour: http://www.thelocal.se/10098/
NME recounts their by:Larm highlights: http://tinyurl.com/yu34zf
Personkrets 3:1