Pitchfork reviews Witchcraft's most recent album "The alchemist": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/47897-the-alchemist
Caitlyn
Brain vs heart
ZYX Music
If The Perishers cheered up a bit and moved to Southern California, I wouldn't be surprised if their first effort after escaping the harsh, dark winters of Norrland to sound something like "Brain vs heart". Caitlyn have put together a very clean pop record, treading carefully between their radio friendliness and ability to write a solid indie-pop song. There's plenty of gloss and sun on "Brain vs heart", but it doesn't feel superficial with a compromise between reached between style and substance instead of a trade off. The only true downside of the record is that the tempo, rhythm, and style is very similar throughout - this does lend itself to the creation of a solid album, but it also generates a feeling of 'false familiarity' with songs you haven't heard, thus stealing a bit of the 'newness' of a previously unknown track and giving the record a bit of a 'more of the same' feel as it progresses. All in all, the album quite good, and "Brain vs heart" pleasantly takes you from point A to point B... though a few sharp left turns and scenic detours wouldn't have hurt either.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
MP3: C.Aarmé - Dustin
Remember when I told you that C.Aarmé had a new EP in the works? Well, said EP is in my hands (er, on my harddrive) and I'm happy to report that it easily obliterates all competition. So naturally I am honored to provide you one track for download today and would strongly encourage you to hear the rest via myspace. As to the sound, well it picks up right where they left off so all the usual conjecture applies. Intense. Bitter. Raw. No dumb overdubs, just pure, unadulterated rock'n'roll. Wind them any tighter, they're bound to snap. Beware!
C.Aarmé - Dustin
Swedish punks Sista Sekunden will tour Europe starting in late February alongside Japanese act D.S.B. under the banner of the "Radical Sharp Shooter" tour. Check myspace for preliminary dates: http://www.myspace.com/sistasekunden
The new They Live By Night single "Endless summer" is up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theylivebynight
Keyboardist Robin Danielsson left the band this past summer and they are currently continuing on as a three-piece with a new album on the way in fall.
Fame Factory also-ran Alexander Schöld has a new single called "Jag hatar dig" out now on Universal Music. His Melodifestivalen entry "Den första svalan" will be debuted on February 16 and a full-length album will come out in August.
Ex-Bad Cash Quartet band Hästpojken is streaming their entire new album "Caligula" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hastpojken
In February, Regain Records will release a best-of collection from Swedish rockers Mustasch entitled "Lowlife highlight". Expect a new album of fresh material in 2009.
Ratatoskonline interviews Norwegian act Superfamily: http://www.ratatoskonline.net/article/interview-superfamily
The Tremolo Beer Guy have a new website: http://www.thetremolobeergut.dk/
The band's new album "Nous sommes The Tremolo Beer Gut. Qui le fuck êtes-vous?" is out in Denmark on January 28 via Crunchy Frog with other territories to follow soon thereafter. Hear samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thetremolobeergut
Achordian's new video for "The passion plan" is now up on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veHxme87PXs
Lo-Fi-Fnk will perform at the MX Beat Festival in Mexico City on March 8. They might do a few North American dates around that time as well, so stay tuned for details.
Millencolin's new album "Machine 15" is confirmed for release on April 7. Read the press release with new European tourdates: http://www.burningheart.com/news/article.php?id=475
The first single "Brand new game" is streaming here: http://www.myspace.com/millencolin