Like many of you, I first heard the Norwegian dream pop of The Lionheart Brothers on "It's a Trap! readers companion volume one". That track, "I burn myself on you", is a stunning, bittersweet symphonic gem--easily one of the best songs I heard last year. It was part of the 2004 EP "Colour contrast context", which has been combined with the Brothers' 2003 debut, "White angel black apple", for this reissue. The other three tracks from that EP boast lots of strings over a dreamy soundscape, especially "Time river floaty". Standout tracks from the debut, like "The pole dilemma" and "The sun in my eyes", share the gorgeous melodies of their follow-up, but the songs are more upfront, more electric guitar driven. Interestingly, for a band with a clear spiritual focus (e.g., "Feed me Eden"), the Lionheart Brothers are at their best when the vocals blend in like any another instrument in the mix, and it doesn't matter if the words are understandable or not. That the same band who did "I burn myself on you" can pull off the spacey, loud "Love ludicrous" is a testament to the talents of Marcus Forsgren, Audun Storset and their new bandmates.
- Matthew W. Smith
Loch Ness Mouse sounds like Steely Dan. A lot like Steely Dan. The Norwegian quintet, with its first release since 2002's "Key West", offers another set of well-constructed pop songs that sound destined for 70s radio--thirty years too late, in this case. The Åleskjær brothers channel Becker and Fagen throughout the album, especially on "Golden trumpets, silver saxophones". If jazzy soft rock is your thing, look no further than "11-22" -- unless you already have anything by Steely Dan, that is...
- Matthew W. Smith
I've never heard of Sterling before (pardon my ignorance), but judging from these 6 tracks, they might sport beards, and they're definitely Danish (or very wacky non-Danish people). This reminds me a lot of The Shins and the first stand-out track ("Ubesvarat Opkald") almost sounds like a The Shins cover, but sung in Danish (all of these songs are sung in Danish, fortunately it sounds ok). Now and then Sterling come across as a bit dated ("Koldbrand" sounds like some dodgy ballad from the 80s, and "Vinterfobi" has some quite tedious vocoder parts), but in general this EP is a bit above average, thanks to the first song.
- Simon Tagestam
If you are in a band and you are reading this: You know when the label says we need a hit record? Well take heed - "The loyal" may be a blueprint for others to follow. Oh yeah, of course there's one modicum of criticism levied - let's just say the old maxim: If you are going to plagiarize, plagiarize with conviction. So to sound like Genesis with 'I'm still standing' on "All I have" matters not one iota. And "The loyal" is carried off so competently that even that modicum is delivered to positive effect. But screw it because TL swears on it, and vernacular is good over here. I like the word 'fuck' - think about it. We all do?! This album is shocking. Shockingly good. They say sometimes it has to hurt to enjoy. So any masochists out there can unite on this disc, at least via track 6, "Nixon". The Loyal conjures up images of "Blair Witch Project", a horror scene, the video could have been a torch lamp and a forest. There's some distortion for underlay, digital drums and a effects textured to the song swagger. Swagger is a theme throughout and a darker edge to this disc than "Is my head still on?" "Patterns" is a blast of 80's pop, a blast of the Mudd Club circa '87 – foot tappingly deft... and this is the continuum. Darker production, dance floor hits. Hits Hits Hits. If you missed the beauty of Tiger Lou, get this album, lock all the doors, stay up until 4am, put your headphones and be very frightened.s
- Troy Convers
I'm kind of surprised I don't hear more people talking about Paris. I'd figure that even the slightest PR push would ensure that their infectious Blondie-esque new-wave sound finds a ready and willing audience. It certainly doesn't hurt that the band is quite easy on the eyes as well. I know I've been a fan ever since I first heard them and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second album, the recently released "Secrets on tape". Granted, it's not much of a departure from the first record, but why complain? I'm always eager for more clever, catchy pop like this. Today's mp3 posting is one of the more upbeat, dance-friendly numbers. I just love the way that the verse slowly builds into that huge chorus. That little dip in the vocals just before everything opens up is just fantastic. You know exactly what's coming next, but the tension of those transition chords make it so much better. Beautifully done.
Tremendo has posted a new song for download: http://www.tremendo.se/mp3/Sweet%20dreams.wma
The next single from the new Cardigans album "Super extra gravity" will be "Don't blame your daughter (Diamonds)" . Look for it in January.
Opeth responds to the news of their bus driving being arrested in Florida: http://www.opeth.com/news.html
Labrador has posted some free mp3s from the Loveninjas for download: http://www.labrador.se/
The band's new EP "Keep your love" came out today.
Upcoming tourdates for Cloroform:
12/16 - Feber, Oslo (NOR)
01/23 - Bei Chez Heinz, Hannover (GER)
01/24 - Underground, Koln (GER)
01/25 - Knust, Hamburg (GER)
01/27 - Objekt 5, Halle/Saale (GER)
01/28 - Mudd Club, Berlin (GER)
01/29 - Nachtleben, Frankfurt/Main (GER)
Ex-Gluecifer guitarist Raldo Useless has been enlisted into the group's live band and will be joining them for mnay of their shows throughout 2006.
Check out the video for "Mun Ja Mun" from Norway's Adjágas: [click here]
The duo's self-titled debut album comes out November 22 via Trust Me Records.
MIC Norway profiles Dimmu Borgir and discusses the rerecorded version of their 1996 album "Stormblåst": http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005111611103474970016
Dusted reviews Logh: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2531
Even though they don't love the record, I'm glad to see an English review that actually affords the music the attention it deserves.
Harmonium reviews the new Burst album: http://www.harmoniummusic.com/?p=82
Norway's Scortch Trio is doing a few shows on the East Coast in December:
12/02 - Bowery Poetry Club, NYC w/John Zorn
12/03 - An Die Musik Live, Baltimore, MD
12/04 - Avant Gentlemen´s Club, Philadelphia, PA
If you're into vicious avant-free jazz such as Last Exit, these dudes are not to be missed.
Tiger Lou