Is there a Moderat Likvidation reunion in the works? Read here: http://doomsdaymag.blogspot.com/2007/12/moderat-likvidation-reunion.html
Brainwashed finally gets around to reviewing Ulver's latest: http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6655&Itemid=64
In other Ulver news, check out the Ulver flask: http://www.jester-records.com/ulver/images/ULVER_flask.jpg
"It is the most useful band merchandise we will ever make, tragic as we are." Order here: http://www.jester-records.com/flask.php
Swedish electronic/shoegaze artist Inyi has a new 6-track EP posted for free download: http://inyi.servemp3.com/
Danish postrockers Lis Er Stille have parted ways with cellist Rosanna Lorenzen and will continue on as a quartet.
Norwegian act Draumir has secured the talents of legendary producer Phill Brown (Talk Talk, Robert Plant, etc.) to record their next album.
Pello Revolvers have a new 3-track Christmas single posted for free download: http://www.myspace.com/pellorevolvers
If you're sick of happy holiday tunes, listen to a new Ondo track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/avondo
I'm really looking forward to this album.
Watch Swedish indie act Strawberry Fair do a special X-mas studio session for Digfi: http://www.digfi.com/default.aspx?id=11397
Moto Boy's self-titled debut will be out on January 17 and he'll celebrate with a free show that night at Jeriko in Malmö, Sweden.
Check out The Lionheart Brothers performing "When you wish upon a star": http://www.myspace.com/lionheartbrothers
MP3: Springfactory - Stingy Friday afternoon
Springfactory surprised me. I guess I expected something more twee considering the involvement of Peter Gunnarson from Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, but that's not the case at all. Instead, what I got is smart, driven indiepop with strong female vocals (courtesy of Lina Cullemark). It makes me think of 1st-album era New Pornographers with Neko Case on vocals, 'cept that's not quite fair since I don't really like the New Pornographers (Carl Newman was far, far better in Superconductor). NP are boring and safe, Springfactory are far more rough and tumble and therefor, far more charming. Those sharper edges give them personality. "Stingy Friday afternoon" starts off kinda aimless, with a vamping bassline and skronky guitar, until we enter the first chorus and relief sets in. There's unresolved tension in that verse and it's really only apparent once you make it to the chorus. The bassline straightens out to steady eighthnotes and Lina gives us a vocal hook we can hang on to. The whoosh of guitar noise reminds us this is still indie territory, but when you get down to it, this is everything pop music should be. Nicely done.
Springfactory - Stingy Friday afternoon
I'm not much for Christmas, so news updates will continue as usual through New Year's assuming there's any to report. Daily reviews will resume in 2008. Otherwise, enjoy the holidays!
The playlist for my radio show this week featured all of my favorite songs from 2007:
01. Susanne Sundfør - I resign
02. TALK 1
03. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle
04. The Skull Defekts - The secret
05. Ted Gärdestad - Räcker jag till
06. TALK 2
07. CS Nielsen - Black spots
08. Kornstad - Turkey, Texas
09. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
10. The Bombettes - I wanna
11. TALK 3
12. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
13. Repoman - Chemically obsessed
14. The Bell - I am history
15. Säkert! - Allt som är ditt
16. TALK 4
17. Mainliners - Olivia
18. Superfamily - The radio has expressed concerns about what you did last night
19. Karin Ström - Ordlös
20. TALK 5
21. Fun - I've got a truck
22. Tobias Hellkvist - Moment at ven
23. Juvelen - Hanna
24. TALK 6
25. Laakso - Worst case scenario
26. Closer - Sensing the wake
27. Asha Ali - A promise broken
28. TALK 7
29. Paper - My life is going under
30. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
31. Lukestar - White shade
32. TALK 8
33. Maia Hirasawa - Gothenburg
34. Aerial - You will all die, all things will
35. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
36. TALK 9
Next week (12/29) I'm doing another special theme show on Swedish postpunk.