Spiknykter - Döda politikers sällskap
New raw hardcore from Sweden, far crustier than related act Lose the Life. Read more here: http://www.swehc.com/2012/01/19/introducing-spiknykter/
Säkert! - The lakes we skate on/Isarna
The latest video from Säkert!, available in both English and Swedish.
Introducing Featherbrain
Jenny Hval on the new Hanne Hukkelberg album "Featherbrain", due out February 17 via : http://www.propellerrecordings.no/hanne-hukkelberg-introducing-featherbrain
New music from Circle, Pharoah Overlord
is streaming tracks from the new Circle live album "Manner" as well as the new Pharoah Overlord creation "Lunar jetman": http://ektrorecords.com/ektro.php
Prinspóló - Föstudagsmessa (video)
New from Icelandic artist Prinspóló. "Föstudagsmessa" is the first new song from him since his debut album "Jukk" was released last June.
Robin - Frontside ollie (video)
I don't get tipped off on new Finnish music nearly as often as I'd like, most likely due to the impenetrability of the language, but every so often there's something that slips through the cracks and this lil' skateboarding Justin Beiber clone is definitely worth noting.
New Donkeyboy gets release date
Norwegian pop act Donkeyboy will release their sophomore album "Silver moon" on March 2.
Markus Krunegård - Everybody hurts (video)
Here's the brand new Markus Krunegård single "Everybody hurts", as was premiered at P3 Guld this weekend. Look for his new album "Mänsklig värme" to be released on March 28.
The Slytest - Winning without playing (video)
Solid powerpop from Swedish act The Slytest. "Winning without playing" is the band's debut single.
Scraps of Tape back to Germany
Swedish postrock act Scraps of Tape will be heading to Germany next week:
01/27 - Reilstr. 78, Halle
01/28 - Big Buttinsky, Osnabrück
01/29 - Apex Kultur, Göttingen
01/30 - Schocken, Stuttgart
01/31 - Cafe Wagner, Jena
02/01 - Az Conni, Dresden
02/02 - Hafen 02/0Offenbach
02/03 - Drucklufthaus, Oberhausen
02/04 - Waldmeister, Solingen
Serene Record pitching in for Blessings
, the same folks who did the recent Breach reissue, will be co-releasing the upcoming Blessings tape along side the band's own label.
Let's Say We Did
s/t
Nesna Records
Here's a nostalgia trip that never tires -- Let's Say We Did happily reminds of all things flannel, Big Muffs and youngsters paying dues to the 'Youth. This 7-track album has some killer easy songs, and its straightforward songwriting style minus shoegazer ripping makes it an endearing choice of recent Nordic 90's revival bands. This sound definitely had its time in the American indie underground -- hoarse, mumbling vocals like Cap'n'Jazz or The Weakerthans, and heartfelt choruses (avoiding the evil "E" word) of early acts. I could probably list a million bands from this era off the top of my head -- there's definitely one for every American suburb -- regardless, what I am getting to is the golden Teenage Fanclub rule: a good melody, is just a good melody, no matter how many or how few chords you use. Standout tracks, "It's OK" opens with a somewhat familiar riff but sticks some teeth around the edges; "Straight back to you" opens with infectious guitar duelling that'd perfectly fit your favourite (fill in the blank) 90s TV series. "On the day" and "Blue skies" have a saintly sweetness long associated with maybe youthful romance or innocence. Not a poor pop-pleaser for those with a weakness for guitar-music, easier on the ear then overproduced frilly, mathcore hits dominating the charts, at least.
- Ann Sung-an Lee
P3 Guld 2012 winners
Here are the winners of the 2012 P3 Guld awards:
Artist: Kapten Röd - Fläcken som aldrig går bort
Group: Deportees - Islands & shores
Song: Vart jag mig i världen vänder - Den Svenska Björnstammen
Newcomer: Den Svenska Björnstammen
Guldmicken (Best Live Act): Kapten Röd
Pop: Syket - With love
Hip-hop/Soul: Ison & Fille - För evigt
Dance: L-Wiz - Samlad produktion
Rock/Metal: Graveyard - Hisingen blues
It may come as a surprise, but I'm actually a fan of the latest Kapten Röd record and am glad to see that he won.
The Silent Ballet reviews September Malevolence
The Silent Ballet reviews the new album "Our withers unwrung" from Swedish post-rockers September Malevolence: http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4654/Default.aspx
Refused coming to SF
It sold out in 10 minutes, but just so you're aware: Refused and The Hives are playing The Warfield in SF on April 18.