My list of myspace bookmarks keeps getting longer than I can handle, so that means it's time once again for a MyFriends focus: [click here]
The theme this time is all punk/hardcore acts. Check it out!
MP3: Caesars Palace - From the bughouse
Between the weakness of previous record "Paper tigers" and the total media saturation of "Jerk it out", it's easy to forget just how good those old Caesars Palace/Caesars albums really are. Any good will I had left was sapped out. So with a promising new double-album on the way (the half-dozen or so tracks from "Strawberry weed" that I've heard so far are all surprisingly strong), I figure it's time to pay 'em a visit and hopefully rekindle what we once had. It's actually quite easy as their distinctive garage-pop sound, when done right, goes down effortlessly. Yes, even the ubiquitous "Jerk it out" remains a great song even after a million-and-a-half listens. But I'll be damned if I post that one as they've got stacks of other songs in their back-catalogue with just as much hit potential. "From the bughouse" off of 2000's "Cherry kicks" has it all: the trademark vintage organ tones, a revved-up tempo, an irresistible chorus. I'd have a hard time trusting anyone who says they don't like this.
Caesars Palace - From the bughouse
Silent Highway
Hope from the borderland
Gateway Music
On Silent Highway's myspace page, six sources of inspiration are illustrated: one of them is David Bazan and one is David's (former) project Pedro the Lion. And frankly, that wouldn't have been hard to guess when listening to the songs of Morten Storgaard's debut album as Silent Highway. Since I'm a big fan of everything Mr. Bazan does, it wasn't hard to gain my initial sympathies either. Lyrically, the songs presented here might not be on par with the "idol's", but musically speaking, the unusual harmonies and the careful arrangements provide a very nice background for Morten's expressive, yet positively unobtrusive singing. A promising first album that keeps me waiting to hear more from Silent Highway in the future.
- Arnulf Köhncke
Swedish fuzzrock act Truckfighters on tour in Northern Europe:
04/03 - Altstadt, Eindhoven (NL)
04/04 - De Lane - Oostburg (NL)
04/05 - The Parkhof, Alkmaar (NL)
04/06 - Bliksem, Den Helder (NL)
04/09 - Kab de L'Usine, Geneva (CH)
The new album "Black wave rising" from Finnish punkrockers I Walk the Line is finished and the track "Stigmatized" is now posted on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/iwtlfinland
It will be out in Finland on April 2 via Combat Rock Industry with international releases to follow later on in the year through a host of different license partners. The title track will also be released as a 7"/CD single on March 12 b/w the exclusive track "Lost chapter".
"The Swedish Model" is a new cooperative organization of seven of Sweden's best indie labels, working together in this brave new world. Read more: http://www.theswedishmodel.org/ (in Swedish)
English version available here.
The labels involved are Adrian Recordings, Flora & Fauna, Hybris, I Made This, Nomethod Records, Songs I Wish I Had Written and TenderVersion.
Check out an acoustic performance and interview video featuring Björn Kleinhenz (and Cedarwell): http://yoomee.tv/video/d797041b701412c35d76308bb1e9f1fa
The Silent Ballet is not impressed by Swedish act Come Sleep: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/1137/Default.aspx
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Fernandoz - Anders & Git - En helt ny dag
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
03. Lykke Li - Youth novels
04. The Cardigans - Best of
05. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
06. Jill Johnson - Music Row
07. Alf Robertson - Alf Robertsons bästa
08. Sara Isaksson & Anders Widmark - Pool of happiness
09. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
10. Marie Picasso - The secret
11. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
12. Säkert! - Säkert!
14. Peter Lemarc - Kärlek i tystnadens tid
15. Louise Hoffsten - Så speciell
16. Takida - Bury the lies
17. Magnus Uggla - Pärlor åt svinen
18. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
19. Nisse Hellberg - En tiger i tanken
20. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
PopMatters reviews Swedish act The Bell and their debut record "Make some quiet": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/54648/the-bell-make-some-quiet/
Also reviewed today, The Raveonettes' "Lust lust lust": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/52760/the-raveonettes-lust-lust-lust/
MIC Norway reports that young, up-and-coming talent Matias Tellez has signed with Sony BMG: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008022114282640607003
Check out the new Cake On Cake video for the song "Francoise": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGfE96avfpc
Norwegian dreampop act (and "Reader's companion" alums) The Lionheart Brothers will be releasing "Bring it down" as a new single in UK on April 7. And that's not all- they'll also be embarking on a short tour in support:
03/25 - Fibbers, York
03/26 - Firebug, Leicester
03/28 - The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
03/29 - Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
03/31 - Night & Day, Manchester
04/01 - Hoxton Bar Grill, London
04/03 - Soundhaus, Northampton
04/04 - Library, Lancaster
Check out the new video for "Deliberate deeds" from Danish noiserockers Marvins Revolt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tHIevZHa70