MP3: I Love You Baby! - My 49th baby
New mp3 today from Swedish synth act I Love You Baby! Their latest album "Mondegreen" was recently added to the IAT webstore and should appeal to fans of The Knife or any other glitchy, messed-up electro. Along with Trewetha Records labelmates The State of Floral Beings, ILYB! are making some of the most interesting, punk-influenced synth-rock that I've heard recently. There's plenty of pop hooks, but it's still got an edge. Recommended, of course.
I Love You Baby! - My 49th baby
You want new content? You got new content! Check out a fresh interview with Niklas Angergård of the Acid House Kings on the right along with a big batch of new reviews. Cheers!
Kristian Anttila
Innan bomberna faller
Invertigo
When he's good, Kristian Anttila sounds a bit like Håkan Hellström, but when he's bad (which is, frankly, most of the time) he comes across as a perverted version of Kent. If I had to recommend this to anyone, it'd be to hardcore Kent fans only. Perhaps if my niece / nephew only listened to Kent, I'd buy them "Innan bomberna faller" for Christmas, just to get them to take one (very small) step away from their unhealthy obsession. There are some good bits to be found on here, but in short - this album just doesn't cut the mustard!
- Simon Tagestam
Eastpak Antidote Tour
Live @ the Astoria, London, 12/02/2005
Randy always blow me away when I see them play live and I'd recommend everyone to try and catch them if they happen to come to play anywhere near where you live. Their show on this night was no exception to above statement (even though the crowd participation was pretty "tame"). It's the first time I've seen Randy play songs from their last album, hopefully they'll come back soon to do a proper headline gig. Whereas the people watching Randy didn't seem that interested, in Millencolin's case it was Nikola Sarcevic – their singer – who appear quite aloof (the kids didn't seem to care though and went nuts, as always when Millencolin are in town). This didn't bother me too much though since when I walked into the venue I bumped into an acquaintance of mine, whose company combined with some beers made the whole night (Millencolin's show included) a fun experience.
- Simon Tagestam
Anja Garbarek
Briefly shaking
EMI
As an unabashed fan of Norwegian singer/songwriter Anja Garbarek, I was stunned to hear the news that she'd completed a new album. Anja is not the most prolific lass in the Nordic universe: "Briefly shaking" is only her fourth disc in 13 years, and the first since 2001's superb "Smiling and waving". But lordy, this gal makes the wait worthwhile by consistently releasing stunning records. Music that's both ecstatically passionate and wonderfully weird always wins me over, and Anja is a sorceress in that regard. The eleven tracks here range from Broadway-style theatricality to elegant pop classicism to moments of sublime sensuality, especially when Anja just melts you with one of those beautiful melodies she has such a flair for. If fans of sublime modern pop can't find you after this classic record, then they're sure as hell not looking in the right place.
- Kevin Renick
Håkan Hellström
13 CDS
Dolores
In 1989 Jakob Hellman released his debut album "...och det stora havet" in Sweden, an album that's still considered by a lot of Swedes to be the best debut album (and by some, like me, "the best album" period) ever to come out of Sweden. What has made this album stand out even more is the fact that Hellman never made another record, and for a while he disappeared completely from the Swedish music scene, only to resurface a few years ago for some live shows. When Håkan Hellström released "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" in 2000, a lot of people fretted that he would "do a Hellman" and never released anything ever again. Now, five years later, I think we – the people who worried so much - can finally start to sleep well at nights. Not only did Håkan deliver his third excellent record ("Ett kolikbarns bekännelser") earlier this year, but in a few weeks he will release a record of leftover songs. "Tretton" is the first single of this disc (titled "Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nått lånat, nåt blått"). The song is a cover of Big Star's "13", and it's pretty faithful to the original (although most of the lyrics are translated to Swedish, the parts left in English could have been quite cheesy, but they fit in really well). Naturally Håkan, with his infinite charm, makes the song his own. I just hope this won't be his last album...
- Simon Tagestam
Hera
Don't play this
self-released
I haven't seen much press on Hera outside her native Iceland, but I suspect that situation may change with the release of her new album "Don't play this". Mostly performed with acoustic guitars and minimal backing (with occasionally lively horns), the strength of the album derives from Hera's plaintive, heartfelt vocals and absolutely immaculate sound conjured by her and co-producer Gotmundur Petursson. The upbeat songs like "Feathers in a bag," "Muddy shoes" and "To my guitar" have a crispness that you can almost taste, and tearjerkers like "Adrian" and "Where is your baby" work your emotions honestly, coming from a woman who conveys with every line that she's in touch both with her own feelings and her very healthy muse. And if you're into chocolate, Hera has written a nifty little ode to the stuff that is sure to become a favorite.
- Kevin Renick
Jens Lekman
USA October (ltd. tour EP)
self-released
It's taken me a long time to appreciate Jens Lekman. I still think his older material tends to be fairly weak, but I grudgingly admit that he has gotten much much better with time. In listening to his latest limited edition tour EP, I think I've figured out the reason for my change of heart: When Lekman eschews production tricks and lets his songs stand on their own, he shines. Whether it's the simple accompaniment of ukulele or piano, it works wonders for his material. On the other hand, the spoken word piece "How much you mean to me" is unlistenable garbage, but there's barely anyone who can pull something like that off, so I'll let it slide. I also think I prefer it when Jens sings in his native Swedish. He sounds so much more comfortable, more laidback. Keep making music like this and I'll definitely be a fan.
- Avi Roig
Son of a Plumber
s/t
Capitol
Son of a Plumber is no other than – hold your breath - Per Gessle from Roxette. You don't know who Roxette are? Well, you should count yourself lucky. Roxette were pretty big (especially in Germany) throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Their peak must have been when the monster hit "It must have been love" was featured on the "Pretty Woman" soundtrack. Per Gessle is always portrayed in the Swedish press as this dude with a massive – hold your breath, again - music collection and he seems to be totally in love with "Nuggets"-type music. Unfortunately, I don't think any of his compositions will ever be featured on one of the Nuggets compilations. This album is horrible and it reminds me of Roxette and the worst things about the 80s.
- Simon Tagestam
Thåström
Skebokvarnsv. 209
Universal
I'm sure lots of (Swedish) dads will get this album as a present this Christmas. You see, Joakim Thåström is very much a legend in Sweden. He started out playing guitar and singing in the excellent punk band Ebba Grön who were active in the late 70s and early 80s, when they released some magnificent records that still sound crazy nice, even if you don't speak Swedish. After Ebba Grön, he fronted Imperiet (more new wave/romantic than punk), then he went on to do some solo albums (most of which were influenced by industrial music). His latest offering is something of a nostalgia trip that deals with his past in almost every song, and the music is very "back to basics", acoustic guitar based and melodic. All in all, "Skebokvarnsv. 209" is a bluesy and mellow affair that suits dark winter nights perfectly, and even if it now and then feels a bit naff, I enjoy the album's cheesiness. At one stage when I was a kid Ebba Grön was the only thing I listened to, but I never really got into Thåström's other stuff, so it's a bit surprising that I like most of the songs on here as much as I do, but I do, I really do, whether or not this got anything to do with nostalgia from my part I do not know nor care about.
- Simon Tagestam
Uncle's Institution
Walkie talk to me
Iknowwhatyoudidlastrecords
Uncle's Institution is basically Egil Olsen, Norway's answer to Iceland's Mugison and Gisli. "Yet another Scandinavian Beck soundalike, then!" you might retort. Well, yes, and no, it's quite unfair to dismiss to Uncle's Institution as nothing but a Beck copycat, they also sound a lot like Eels. Recently people have lamented a lot about how the age of the mp3 might mean "the death of the album", and I'm definitely one of the people who will weep at the album's funeral. This is why it feels like a waste when artists make an album that sounds like a various artists' compilation, instead of making a proper full length where all the songs live together in harmony. Despite this little exasperation, I can see a lot of people getting into this album and feeling very "hip" listening to it. There are some great ideas here, all carried out with a bit of flair, but the whole product is just way too superficial and forced, no matter how many great hooks/choruses Egil has managed to squeeze into 35 minutes.
- Simon Tagestam
We just got a fresh blanket of snow here and it's so beautiful outside, I wish I could just take a snow day. Alas, the disadvantage of working from home is that I'd have to be bedridden before I could call in sick. No commute = no snow day. *sigh*
I do get some relief today - Jason Christie has kindly provided us with this week's Friday oldie post:
The origin of this track is essentially a horrible record, a horrible cover, and but with the energy of music has never ceased to get my goat enough to make it stand tall in the classic bracket. Now we are talking about two excellent bands: BCQ and Hell on Wheels.
The original was a song released almost 5 years ago [when I was stuck to a desk in a news agency spending days and hours trying to sell stories – I was too bored to die]. "Big day coming" was contained on the band's "Outcast" album – a stellar disc. The sort of disc which makes MP3s redundant. We like albums. When did you last buy one chapter of a book? This cover is similar in feel to the original: raw, one take and totally unpolished – it's scruffy, and 2:30 long – perfect. If this don't charge you for the weekend, try crack cocaine.
Look for the mp3 to download on the right.
Another day in December also means another top 10! Today's list comes from the amazing Desert Planet! Be sure to catch them on tour in Germany later this month too - they are most certainly not to be missed. Dates:
12/09 - Rocker33, Stuttgart (GER)
12/10 - ENZIAN Bar (Kreuzberg), Berlin (GER)
12/11 - Berlin's Premier Modernist Sunday Event, Berlin, Germany (GER)
12/14 - Weinerei, Nürnberg (GER)
12/15 - Raum 4, Fürth (GER)
12/16 - Kunterbunt e.V., Schwerte (GER)