Service Records will be handling Erlend Öye's (Kings of Convenience) new band Whitest Boy Alive in Sweden. The single "Burning" comes out May 24 and the album "Dreams" follows on June 21.
Absolut Noise does a little Q&A with Ef: http://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/04/dark-side-of-moon_25.html
Stylus reviews Jeniferever: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/jeniferever/choose-a-bright-morning.htm
Debaser is taking over Mondo's old location? Read more: http://www.metica.se/news/news_result.php?n_id=0446 (in Swedish)
Finnish mp3 blog Lupatarkastaja on Swedish doom act Suffocate for Fuck Sake: http://lupatarkastaja.samizdat.info/2006/04/26/suffocate-for-fuck-sake-ep/
The SF Bay Guardian talks to Maja Ivaarson of The Sounds: http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=403
Beginning on May 1, Dissection's new album "Reinkaos" will be available for streaming at mp3.com: http://www.mp3.com/hard-rock-metal/genre/359/summary.html
It comes out April 30 in Europe via the band's own Black Horizon Records and on May 16 in North America via The End Records.
Tack! Tack! Tack! is streaming a brand new David & the Citizens song on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tacktacktack
Swedish singer/songwriter Tomas Walter has posted his recent album "Dead end" for free download: http://www.tomaswalter.com/deadend.htm
Here's the tracklist for 22-Pistepirkko sideproject cover-act The Others AKA 22P (yes, their full name as there is already an act called The Others) debut full-length "Monochrome set", due out June 2 via Bone Voyage Recording Company/BB*Island:
01. This strange effect (The Kinks)
02. (The girl with the) Raven hair (Jody Reynolds)
03. 66-5-4-3-2-1 (The Troggs)
04. Zip code (Link Wray)
05. Endless sleep (Jody Reynolds)
06. Girl in black (The Troggs)
07. Scatter (Link Wray)
08. Law Of The Jungle (Link Wray)
09. Well...all right (Buddy Holly)
10. Fire of love (Jody Reynolds)
11. Love hurts (Everly Brothers)
12. Rumble (Link Wray)
13. I'm branded (Link Wray)
MP3: Audrey - Mecklenburg
For many folks, Audrey's new album "Visible forms" is one of 2006's most anticipated releases. The post-rock act's debut EP impressed a lot of people, myself included. I still haven't heard the whole thing (copies for the mailorder are on the way and should be here next week), but what I have heard is just as brilliant as I'd hoped for. Brooding, dark and beautiful; these are the key-words. Their skill-level has improved considerably too, as the string arrangements are much more involved and more compelling. I think they're working better as an ensemble as well, proof positive that touring can make a band. So check out this first little taste of the record that their label Tenderversion was kind enough to pass on and get excited for the album's release on May 9.
Audrey - Mecklenburg
The mainstreaming of emo/hardcore took me by surprise. I remember laughing at the kids with the backpacks and too-tight sweaters quivering to bands like Evergreen and Mohinder back in the day. It's not that I have anything against the music - I actually still listen to a lot of 90s hardcore - I just can't understand how it became cool. I guess I'm already on my way to becoming an old fogey. Kids these days, y'know? Regardless of all that, Norway seems to leading the way when it comes to keeping the scene alive. Mainstays like JR Ewing and Kaospilot have been at it for awhile, but up-and-comers like Rumble in Rhodos are stealing the show (and awards like "Favourite new international artist" at Canadian Music Week earlier this year, beating out Finnish also-rans Disco Ensemble). I'm posting this particular track today because it reminds me of Texas is the Reason, one of the trailblazers of the melodic emo/post-hardcore genre or whatever you want to call it. Good stuff - bring on the octave chords!
Just posted: two takes on José González's show at the Hammersmith Apollo last night. Check it: [click here]
The Bear Quartet's new album "Eternity now" will be released on May 24. Listen to the first single "The repairing of the Red Sea" here: http://www.klicktrack.com/shop/release.jsp?r=11052&tn=1&cp=26