Speaking of Hybris, the video for the new Hell On Wheels single "Alexandr" is now available on their website: http://www.hybrism.com/
This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:
01. Belle and Sebastian
02. The Knife
03. The Arcade Fire
04. Death Cab for Cutie
05. Tiger Lou
06. Bloc Party
07. The Radio Dept.
08. Arctic Monkeys
09. Bright Eyes
10. The Concretes
Top 10 tracks for the week:
01. Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales of San Francisco
02. The Fine Arts Showcase - Brother In Black
03. The Knife - Like a pen
04. The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
05. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts
06. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body
07. The Knife - We share our mother's health
08. The Knife - Na na na
09. The Arcade Fire - Crown of Love
10. The Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Want to see your favorites listed here? Please join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
Finnish pop act Treeball has posted four new songs from their upcoming album "Liars in love" on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/treeball
The band features UK-born producer Nick Triani, Janne Lehtinen and Jonna Tervomma from Mummypowder, singer/songwriter Astrid Swan and Michael Mcdonald from Montevideo. Not a bad pedigree, eh? The new record comes out April 12 on Kinkt Records.
Preview the new album "Life lines" from Swedish melancholic Americana act Glass: http://www.musicofglass.com/music.htm
The Pitchfork guide to SXSW includes tips on many acts, including Scandinavians Serena Maneesh (natch), Figurines, The Ark, Sign, Disco Ensemble, Astrid Swan, Quit Your Dayjob, Animal Alpha, Sarah Hepburn and of course, José González. I'd also recommend tracking down Loney, Dear and Kristofer Åström.
Updated tourdates for Jens Lekman:
03/13 - Missing Link Records (in-store), Melbourne (AUS)
03/14 - Republic Bar, Hobart (TAS)
03/16 - tba, Auckland (NZ)
03/17 - Odeon Lounge, Auckland (NZ)
03/18 - Happy, Wellington (NZ)
03/21 - Shibuya O-nest, Tokyo (JAP)
03/24 - Grapefruit Moon, Tokyo (JAP)
07/20 - First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA
07/21 - tba, New York, NY
07/22 - TT the Bear's, Boston, MA
07/24 - tba, Cleveland, OH
07/25 - Southgate House, Cincinnati, OH
07/26 - Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
07/27 - Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA
07/28 - Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN
07/29 - Second Story, Bloomington, IN
07/30 - Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago, IL
The Boston Globe profiles Nicolai Dunger and the US release of his album "Here's my song...": [click here]
Dunger is also reviews in the NY Times today: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/13/arts/music/13choi.html (reg req'd)
Check out some demo tracks from Swedish indiepop act We & Lisa: http://www.weandlisa.com/media.html
That first song kinda reminds me of early Jesus and Mary Chain (that's a good thing).
Norwegian act Cloroform has posted their entire album "Cracked wide open" for free download: http://cwo.cloroform.com/
Good stuff.
David & The Citizens
s/t
Friendly Fire
David & the Citizens have released two full length LPs and a handful of EPs on Sweden's Adrian Recordings. This EP, their first American release, pulls songs from these previous releases into a short and sweet collection. A few of their best numbers are here, "Now she sleeps in a box in the good soil of Denmark" is a curious sing-along song despite the dark lyrics, and "Big chill" (featuring Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet and Mattias Alkberg BD) is invigorating as all get out. "Lets not fall apart" showcases frontman David Fridlund's uncanny grasp of melody. Their songs are always an intriguing contrast between lyrics that border on suicidal despair and bouncy melodies brimming with joy. These aren't all the songs I would have picked to showcase their strengths - there are none of their slower beauties, and some of their most compelling numbers like "Song against life" (now there's a theme for a sing-along-song!) are missing, while a few of those included ("Grey coated morning," which was an early single but is hardly their best) might be better left off. All in all, though, it's a fine introduction to a wonderful band for those who don't want to spring for the full catalogue and build their own favorite song playlists.
- Nancy Baym
The Fine Arts Showcase
Radiola
Adrian Recordings
Two years after "...Presents the Electric Pavilion," Gustav Kjellvander has grown substantially not in only songwriting, but in performance, and his new album is proof of this (and perhaps the numerous drug references, as Avi mentioned earlier, has propelled his growth). Gone is the distorted theremin and static tracks on every song, to be replaced instead by horns and keyboards. "Radiola" finds The Fine Arts Showcase much more focused on songsmith and story and provides a more cohesive record. Lucid tracks such as "Brother in black" and the single "Chemical girl" set the listener in space, with Gustav's narrative guiding the listener through a hazed dusk. The three instrumentals on the album break it up quite well, with the introductory title track setting for the three songs to follow. "Part II" is a fitting transition between the aforementioned "Brother in black" and could-be-Electric-Pavilion track "Frida and I" (albeit if this song had appeared on the TFAS debut, it would be one of the stronger tracks). The last segue track, "Anna and the moon" is a take on "Amazing Grace" and provides a relaxing moment before the big band beat of "Spanish kerosene." Although a little on the short side (thirteen tracks in thirty-five mintues), "Radiola" is a great second record for TFAS, and thus far is one of the best new records to be released in this young year.
- Matt Giordano
Gustav and the Seasick Sailors
Sirkus
Marilyn Records
This is quite a pleasant album, with some admirable songs on it. At its best, it reminds me of Wilco ("Devil when you cry"), Tom Waits ("Sweden slow"), and a MOR David & the Citizens ("Angels fable"). What I don't really like about "Sirkus" is that, unlike Jeff Tweedy, Tom Waits and David Fridlund, the singer's (Gustav) voice is way too uncharacteristic and - to be blunt - plain. I prefer a more personal touch than the Jeff Buckley-light vocals that Gustav and the Seasick Sailors offer. Other than that, this is a solid release, worth checking out if you like your singers to sing "properly".
- Simon Tagestam
Halph
Ode to you
PonyRec
I'm going to be honest with you readers: the first time I listened to this Danish duo's latest release, it scared the hell out of me and I liked it. Singer Thomas Nygaard's baritone vocals (which are slightly reminiscent of Olympia, WA's very own Calvin Johnson) and guitar work are more dark and sinister this time around as the music takes a post-punk turn. Karsten Bagge's drumming fluctuates between intense and soothing, much like Nygaard's guitar. The album starts off on a seemingly quiet note with "Life part II" and builds up very nicely during "Nightlife". "Have fun dying" just makes it that much creepier to listen to.
- Navy Keophan
Her Majesty
Memory and loss
Bittersweet Records
For me, "Her Majesty" is foremost one of my all-time favourite albums (by The Decemberists). Secondly, it's who James Bond works for. Thirdly, it's an uninteresting band out of southern Sweden whose past singles failed to impress me to such an extent that I'd rather cut off my hands just to prevent me from picking up any of their full length albums. "Memory and loss" is Her Majesty's third album, and perhaps they'll be third time lucky, but most likely I'm not the only one who's bored by this sleepy rock that makes The Soundtrack of Our Lives come across as the most subversive rock band on the planet. Yes, now and then Her Majesty sound like if TSOOL but minus whatever TSOOL have got that makes people like them. This is nothing but average dull rock - keep it away from the kids, if not we might end up with a handless generation.
- Simon Tagestam