Neumu reviews Swedish singer/songwriter Boy Omega: http://www.neumu.net/fortyfour/
Check out an e-card for the US release of the new Switchblade record: http://www.switchblade2006.com/
They sound way more like Khanate than Isis this time around and I think that's a good thing. Definitely recommended, especially the track with Matthias Friberg from Logh.
Decibel Magazine on Head Control System: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/may2006/headcontrolsystem.aspx
This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:
01. (01) Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
02. (02) Dirty Pretty Things - "Bang Bang You're Dead"
03. (03) SLS - "Get Back"
04. (07) Laakso - "Never Satisfied"
05. (08) Plan B - "No Good"
06. (05) Supersci w/Chords - "On the Grind"
07. (09) Martha Wainwright - "Factory"
08. (06) Lil' Kim - "Whoa"
09. (20) Matisyahu - "King Without a Crown"
10. (NY) The Sounds - "Tony the Beat"
11. (04) USCB Allstars - "Let's Keep it on Baby"
12. (14) Up Hygh w/Little Brother - "Keep On"
13. (17) The Fine Arts Showcase - "The Shoplifter's Union"
14. (19) Las Palmas - "Du har mail"
15. (15) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "Wake Up"
16. (16) Mystery Jets - "The Boy Who Ran Away"
17. (13) Franz Ferdinand - "The Fallen"
18. (10) Sean Paul - "Temperature"
19. (NY) Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Dani California"
20. (NY) Arctic Monkeys - "The View From the Afternoon"
Leaving the chart: Jamie Foxx w/Ludacris - "Unpredictable", Ghostface Killah w/Ne-Yo - "Back Like That" and Håkan Hellström - "Jag hatar att jag älskar dig och jag älskar dig så mycket att jag hatar mig".
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Eric Gadd - Eric gadd
02. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
04. The Refreshments - 24-7
05. Sebastian - Sebastian
06. Takida - ...make you breathe
07. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
08. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
09. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
10. Christer Sjögren - King creole
11. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
12. The Knife - Silent shout
13. Lotta Engberg - Världens bästa lotta
14. Rebecka Törnqvist - Melting into orange
15. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
16. The Sounds - Dying to say this to you
17. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
18. Helt Off - I huset
19. Laleh - Laleh
20. Marie Serneholt - Enjoy the ride
I'm not sure why, but Pitchfork decided to review Figurines again, this time adding on their coveted "recommended" tag: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/f/figurines/skeleton.shtml
MP3: Instrumen - Oh like Jesus
Our week of non-stop demo music continues today with yet another band with an unfortunate name, the Instrumen. Everyone should know by now that I'm a sucker for angular hardcore/rock in the fine tradition of bands such as Jesus Lizard and Shellac and these dudes deliver the goods. As is stands right now, the vocals are kinda on the weak side and lacking in personality, but the riffs are solid, twisted and sharp as knives. Once they find their David Yow (whether it's within themselves or in an as-yet-unfound new member), they'll be on fire. I also wouldn't mind hearing a little more melody in there sometimes - they would benefit from the variety. The shimmering riff at the end of "Alcohol" is a shining example of what I'd like to hear more of. But since it's almost Easter, I've decided to post the song "Oh like Jesus" instead. It's seasonably appropriate, right?
Instrumen - Oh like Jesus
Despite the terrible name, You Is Stupid is a good band. The trio features current and ex-members of acts such as Hardy Nilsson, Autorock, Reverend Big O and Fraction of My Former Self, so they aren't exactly fresh faces on the scene, but I think that's okay. Their take on the lighter side of 80s goth music is refreshing in a world of bleak Joy Division clones. It's still definitely heavy on the minor chords, but try thinking more along the lines of Echo and the Bunnymen or The Cure to get a good idea of what these guys are after. I especially love the way that the minimalist guitar licks on this particular track counterbalance the vocals. They make sure that neither element overwhelms the other until they rise up together in the triumphant final chorus. Extremely well done.
I now have copies of The Giant's Dream CDs for sale, as well as paid mp3 downloads: [click here]
Italian indiepop site indiepop.it (obviously) interviews Niklas Gustafsson from the bands The Higher Elevations and This Year's Model and the label But Is It Art?: http://www.indiepop.it/articoli/niklas_int_eng.htm
Smalltown Superjazzz has announced the formation of a new international supergroup featuring the intense roster of Thurston Moore, Paal Nilssen-Love, Mats Gustafsson, Jim O`Rourke, Massimo Pupillo and Terrie from The Ex. The name of the group is Original Silence and they will be releasing an album later this year. See some live photos of the guys here: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/italy/gallery/errore/galerro0106_001.htm
Swedish hard-rockers Mustasch will release a new six-song EP called "Parasite" on May 24 featuring five brand-new tracks and one live track. Listen to a sample: http://www.mustasch.net/audio/Mustasch-Kill.The.Light-sample.mp3
Danish act Figurines will be back in the US supporting indie hype Tapes 'n Tapes. Dates and details soon.
Check out an e-card for the Kaizers Orchestra DVD: http://www.universal-rock.de/_artists/kaizers/ecard/
Deleted Art has announced that the new Knife and Ape full-length "Hex" has been sent to press and should be ready in May. Judging from the stuff I heard off their split with Alarma Man, this is going to be killer.