New pics of The Accidents, Audrey and Ane Brun now up at photohenrik.com.
This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:
01. (03) The Tough Alliance - "Keep it Pure"
02. (01) K-OS - "Crabbuckit"
03. (NY) Eels - "Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)"
04. (02) The Similou - "Ladykillers"
05. (NY) Dreamboy - "Dance With Me"
06. (13) Weezer - "Beverly Hills"
07. (04) Handsome Boy Modeling School - "The World's Gone Mad"
08. (06) Ane Brun med Ron Sexsmith - "Song no.6"
09. (05) Stevie Wonder - "So What the Fuss"
10. (NY) Hal - "Play the Hits"
11. (07) Prominent - "Let's Talk it Over"
12. (08) Varano med Chords - "Leaving My Troubles Behind"
13. (09) The Coral - "In the Morning"
14. (NY) The Bravery - "An Honest Mistake"
15. (19) Håkan Hellström - "Dom kommer kliva på dig igen"
16. (10) The Gorillaz - "Feel Good Inc"
17. (NY) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Funeral Face"
18. (15) Snoop Dogg - "Signs"
19. (16) Lady Sovereign - "Random"
20. (18) Britta Persson - "Found at Home"
Leaving the chart: Faith Evans, Rilo Kiley, The Killers, Jenny Wilson and Hello Kinski.
Download the brand new Sentenced track "May today become the day": http://mp4.centurymedia.com/audio/sentenced_maytodaybecometheday.mp3
The song comes off the band's upcoming record "The funeral album", due out May 31 via Century Media.
The Astonishing Asthmapeople
Moosetip omelette
self-released
Quirky instrumental indie rock that reminds of the way back when funk-thrash ruled the SF Bay Area. Remember when Primus, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and so on were on top of the world? And everyone wanted to hear slap bass? Now imagine all the copycat wannabees that sprouted up trying to cash in on the scene. It wasn't pretty. Thankfully, those days are long gone. I just wish bands like this would be gone too. Granted, TAA's bassist doesn't slap and pop, but it doesn't matter. No matter how musically skillful and tight they might be (which is plenty), my sickening sense of nostalgia is the same.
- Avi Roig
Celebrate the Sun
s/t
self-released
Judging from the artwork, these dudes aspire to be the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but the music is much more inspired by 60s psyche-rock. They've got tons of classic vocal harmonies and that's their biggest strength. Think Crosby, Stills and Nash or The Eagles crossed with Nirvana or something like that. There's definite mainstream appeal, but enough twists and turns to make it interesting. It's still not the sort of thing I'd normally listen to, but I'm impressed. They've got a ton of potential, they just need to tighten up the production a bit. If the album was just a tad shorter and a bit more cohesive, it would kick ass.
- Avi Roig
Frida Hyvönen
I drive my friend CDS
Licking Fingers
I don't understand the hype. I guess I must need to hear the entire full-length, but this just seems like average singer/songwriter stuff to me. I don't say that to slag her, she's definitely got a nice enough voice and decent songs, but the Swedish press seems to be going nuts for no good reason. Frankly, I expected more.
- Avi Roig
Moneybrother
Live @ Camden Barfly, London, 03/24/05
This gig was a bit of a funny one. I could never have predicted the hysteria that would surround Moneybrother's first performance on English soil. I first became aware of this band at the Hultsfred Festival in 2003 when I was informed by a friendly stranger that I had to make Moneybrother one of the absolute priority bands to see that weekend. Unfortunately, I never made said gig. However, I made sure that I tracked down the "Blood panic" CD when I returned to the UK. I was intrigued by the cover which I guessed was a pastiche of Michael Jackson, but was ultimately only drawn in by "Reconsider me" and "Don't call the police". Those two tracks showed great promise.
Fast forward two years and I found myself at the Camden Barfly, with the band's new record "To die alone" sitting pretty at the top of the Swedish album chart. Somewhat predictably, the shoebox sized venue was completely sold out. Demand was so high that the promoter had oversold the show, selling an additional 150 tickets to the 180 which should have been on sale. The upshot of this nonsense was that when buzz support act The Modern (who I predict will be a great band for Melody Club to play alongside) finished their set, the entire crowd was kicked out of the venue and forced to queue up again to see Moneybrother. Only the lucky 180 with green wrist bands were granted exclusive access. It would be interesting to note how many of these people who were let back in were non-Swedish or non-industry people. I reckon you could probably count the number on one hand.
When Moneybrother eventually came on I was surprised at how tight the group was. When I found out that they had recently played an industry gig in America, I really didn't give them much of a chance of succeeding Stateside. However, the way in which the band seemed happy to change the arrangements of the recorded versions and skit off of each other made me think that they really could make it as a "jam" band over there. As most of the set was made up of songs from the new record (which I am unfamiliar with) the main body of the set was new to me. However, these new tracks seemed to be more sincere and varied than "Blood panic". I enjoyed how each member of the band was attired in a ridiculous fashion. For example, take the trombonist who was dressed head to toe in tight white denim. It takes balls to carry that look off, believe me.
By the time Moneybrother came on for their encore, the entire crowd was moshing and one brave chap attempted to crowdsurf. The band ended on a chaotic drawn out version of "Reconsider me". Moneybrother do justice to the once derided music genre of white soul. However, although the gig was an undoubtedly enjoyable experience, I expect the band to achieve greater success in the US than the UK due to their sound being more palletable to the tastes of the former market.
- Nick Levine
Sambassadeur
Live @ The Betsey Trotwood, London, 04/09/05
Saturday night at a smokey pub in Clerkenwell, London. The clock's just gone 10 and in the basement of The Betsey Trotwood music history is being made. Never ever have a band played such a small venue. Picture your living room. Now divide it by three and you have the room that Sambassadeur played in. Three guitars, a bass and an Ipod. That and a constant elbow in your side is what you got for your fiver. Not that it was difficult, but the gig was sold out! Their sound is comparable with fellow label mates Radio Dept. They have a similar fondness of guitars. Sambassadeur build their music around melodies carefully crafted for their lead guitarist. A tall bass player with sideburns and an mp3-player courtesy of Apple supplied the beats. Unfortunately some of their background drumming sounded like they've just put the same song on repeat. I like the idea of pre-recorded beats which is less noisy than a drum kit. It gives the melodies a bigger rein but I doubt it would work at Wembley, which, according to one of the singers, is where we'll see them next. Sambassadeur divides the singing between Anna Persson and Daniel Permbo. They literally sing every other song. Anna seems timid. Her voice is quiet and she is almost hiding behind her microphone. That is probably down to the fact that they were playing live, because when you hear her voice recorded on their single "Between the lines", it's strong and in charge. Her colleague, Daniel, is slightly more charismatic and actually managed to say something in between the songs.
Their English label, AC30, describes Sambassadeur's music as "heartfelt, gentle and emotive songs, simple and understated. Pure indie guitar pop from Sweden." My opinion as well
(On a different note. My friend and IAT colleague Per Appelqvist, who also attended the gig, fell madly in love with singer Anna Persson. From a distance, obviously. Too shy to approach her, he had to make due with another pint in the bar.)
- David Hellqvist
Karin Ström
s/t EP
Nettwerk
Solid singer/songwriter material that excels on upbeat numbers such as the opening tune "Darling". The slower material gets bogged down a bit in AOR territory, but is never without its charms. Even at her worst, there's plenty to like about Karin. Unfortunately, she seems to lack the extra something special that would elevate her above the pack of other similar artists. That's really a shame because I get the feeling that the glossy major-label recording is to blame. All the edges have been worn so dull there's barely any emotion left. Just like the suburbs, it's safe and comforting, but predictable and boring. Hopefully this talent won't keep going to waste.
- Avi Roig
The Teenage Idols
Something wicked
Playground
The Teenage Idols are straight forward rock'n'roll. It's difficult not to like them. With half of the songs from "Something wicked" under the three minute mark, TTI prove they're about compressed and intensive rock music. Loud guitars, driving drumbeats, fat bass lines and a screaming, panting voice makes for good entertainment. All of this probably also qualifies TTI as an excellent live band. I can imagine experiencing them in a smaller venue being quite an exciting and sweaty adrenaline kick. The only time they lose my interest is during the closing tune; "12:15". It's not so much the Hendrix-esque guitars I mind, but the out-of-control banging on drums and excessive screaming that does my head in. TTI is right. This is something wicked, at least in the east London sense of the word. I just wish they would have the common sense of changing their band name before they make it big.
- David Hellqvist
Don't forget that Punk Of Country released not just one, but two brand new mp3s yesterday. Besides the one here on the right, you can also download the song "What about in the morning" from right here: http://www.indie-mp3.co.uk/blog/blog.htm
"Guardian angel" will be the next single from the most recent Saybia album "These are the days". The CD will include three live b-sides recorded at De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Holland in February 2005: "The day after tomorrow", "Worst case scenario" and "The haunted house on the hill". Exact release date to be announced soon.
José González finally has a new website up: http://www.jose-gonzalez.com/
And whaddya know? It's totally done in flash and impossible to read. Great! Thanks a lot!
Check out the video for "All I know is tonight" from Jaga Jazzist, the first single from their latest album "What we must": win / real
Via Blabbermouth comes word that Amorphis has resigned with Nuclear Blast Records: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=35647