5
If you are seriously interested in the history of Swedish music, by all means, ignore the number rating printed above and get this. "Stora rock'n'roll" is a beautifully packaged 4-disc book + CD set filled with extensive liner notes (på Svenska) and wonderful pictures. Beyond the usual background and lineup info, this collection also includes the cover art (or center label) for almost every track which is a true bounty for all vinyl-lovers. As for the music itself, well, that's where assessment starts to get a bit more difficult.
On one hand, the historical importance of these songs are unassailable, but on the other side of things, how many versions of "Rockin' robin" do you really need? Sometimes I feel like even the Bobby Day original is one too many. Also, consider that while there are many fine musicians on display here, a great majority of them aren't doing much more than aping their American counterparts, often without offering any improvement over the originals. It's pleasant enough, but far too few tracks rise above mediocrity and as such, it sometimes struggles to hold my attention. Ultimately, that's the reason for my less-than-stellar rating. While "Stora rock'n'roll" definitely holds an important place in my own personal collection, understand that its appeal is limited. If the context doesn't significantly interest you, the music won't either.
- Avi Roig
Peter Bjorn and John frontman Peter Morén has signed with Touch & Go imprint Quarterstick for the release of his solo debut "The last tycoon". It's set for an April 8 release.
The new Real Ones single "Every dog has its day" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/realonesmusic
Catti Brandelius (Miss Universum, Profesora) is now working under the new alias Red Cloud.
Jazkamer will be doing a tour of Japan with Australian artist Justice Yeldham in early February:
02/05 - Club Urga, Tokyo
02/06 - Cafe Independence, Kyoto
02/07 - Indoyo, Yamaguchi
02/08 - Megahertz, Kokura
02/09 - At Hall, Oita
02/10 - Against 2008: Extreme Music Festival @ Graf, Fukuoka
Swedish singer/songwriter Lasse Lindh is at Svenska Grammofon Studios working on a new album with producer Hans Olsson (Timo Räisänen).
The Hwem netlabel has a new release from Malmö-based experimental artists James Brewster and Peter Henning available for free download: http://www.archive.org/details/freehwem003
Firefox AK has a brand new website: http://www.firefoxak.com/
Her sophomore album "If I were a melody" will be out on February 27 via Razzia Records. The first single "Winter rose" (as posted here) is out now and I should be getting a few copies for resale next week. The Tellevika remix is exceptional!
Jeremiha's new album "Where the stars scream your name" is now confirmed for a March 28 release via Dead Frog Records.
Hybris electro act Biker Boy will be releasing a new single each month for 2008, the first of which is posted for streaming on myspace along with its b-side remix: http://www.myspace.com/bikerboymusic
Check out his website for more: http://www.bikerboy.org/
90s Swedish punk act De Lyckliga Kompisarna are back together and doing a few dates in March: http://www.luger.se/_nyheter.asp?PK_Id=880
Icelandic artist Mugison is looking to release his most recent album "Mugiboogie" worldwide this coming April: http://www.mugison.com/Mugison/News/more/139
Said album was originally released in Iceland last October where it has gone Platinum with sales over 10k.
Check out a video blog of Ida Maria's recent trip to NYC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdfmG2UPk0
Finnish doom act Callisto has posted a new animated film by Teemu Erämaa on their website featuring their song "The fugitive": http://www.callistochaos.com/
The new Madrugada album is far too emotionally charged to be subjected to standard music criticism. The death of guitarist Robert Burås looms large over the proceedings, so to find fault is to be a callous, unsympathetic jerk. Fortunately, the band has bowed out with a more than adequate swan song so such considerations are null and void. All things considered, it's amazing they even finished the album at all as Robert's signature guitarwork is keystone to Madrugada's sound. It's readily apparent from the very first track "Whatever happened to you?", a song of treachery and betrayal. Even with the multiple guitar tracks on this recording, the thing most evident about Robert's playing is his use of space and dynamics. Chords are left hanging open and ringing out, providing perfect counterpoint to Sivert Høyem's vocals. Sometimes it's just a single note, whatever the mood calls for. But no matter what, he never overplays and it's this restraint that is his greatest asset. For Madrugada to continue on without him beyond paying tribute would be treasonous. That they left us with such a fine piece of work is a gift.
Madrugada - Whatever happened to you?
Various Artists