Delusions of Adequacy with a better-late-than-never review of the latest Sahara Hotnights: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=4831
Silence will release the debut single "Bullshit Radio" from all-female Swedish trash-rock group Chick Habit on November 22. The video should be hitting airwaves shortly.
Finland's Some Place Else Records will be releasing a special hand-numbered 500 copy limited edition CD of Ovro and Niko Skorpio performing together live at the Placard #7 Headphone Festival in Helsinki on May 22, 2004. The details:
Ovro starts quietly and calmly, gradually raising volume and tension. Her brand of uneasy listening combines digital sound manipulation, creepy soundscapes and ominous(?!?) vocals to invoke a multitude of feelings and a view to a world where not everything is right.
The artists change on the fly, and their sets are welded seamlessly together by an improvised piece performed together as SkorpiOvro.
Niko Skorpio presents his mix of dark ambience, sample-ridden psychedelia and heavy broken rhythms in a dynamic, morphing form. Towards the end Niko invokes his twisted digital-grindcore alter ego Reptiljan that vomits a short, fierce attack of blastbeats and breaks & noise. Reptiljan provided the sounds for what was perhaps the first ever incident of stage-diving in the history of Placard!
Placard is a new kind of festival where people come with their headphones to sit down and actually listen to the music. The venues also provide MP3 or Ogg Vorbis live streams to other listening rooms ("placards") out there. Placard #7 was a three-month, non-stop, self-organising festival of headphones listening taking place across the globe and streamed online. The particular event where this recording was captured, was held in an apartment in Helsinki, with listening slots in France, Belgium and Italy.
Ordering info: http://www.someplaceelse.net/releases/?id=specd04032
Norway's Madrugada is currently at Sound City Studios in LA recording a brand new album with producer George Drakoulias (Twilight Singers, Primal Scream, Ride, The Afghan Whigs, The Jayhawks, Black Crowes). Check out photos from the session here: http://www.emi.no/madrugada/gallery_window.asp?galleryId=12
Cadillac
Magnetic city
Kong Tiki Records
At times this albums sounds like Television, at other times Queens of the Stone Age springs to mind (hell, on the title track Cadillac's singer even sings "I sing to the deaf"), but most of the times I want to turn the stereo off. Facts such as Cadillac simultaneously screams and sings "normally" now and then (e.g. "Locomotive"), and that "Top of my guaranties" could have been an outtake from Randy's "Cheater" EP (or something by a very young The Hives), all speak in Cadillac's favor, but unfortunately these moments are way too rare for me wanting to recommend "Magnetic City" to anyone. But please do have a listen to "Top of my guaranties" because it's a rather nice little rock'n'roll number.
- Simon Tagestam
Cult of Luna
Salvation
Earache Records
Cult of Luna created with their first two full lengths a pretty interesting, if not always very original, take on the Neurosis/Isis-influenced metal/hardcore. They managed to keep some of the aggression up front while making the slow and lengthy progression alive and punishing. "Salvation" continues in that vein but a much more pronounced influenced by the post-rock heavyweights of the moment; like Mogwai or Godspeed You! Black Emperor. CoL still manage to hit a home run with this record. No way in hell you don't like this.
- Simon Thibaudeau
Penny Century
Demo
self-released
Judging from their website, Penny Century's members are all very political who support socialism, vegetarianism, their local (punk) scene, etc. It would be silly to talk of any DIY-aesthetics since they've only released one three track EP so far, but comparisons with Belle and Sebastian, for example, are close at hand due to Penny Century's music being steeped in same musical heritage as B&S's. The political aspect of the band if of course very intriguing, but it also makes the subject matter of the lyrics quite baffling. Instead of any trace of Penny Century's political "agenda", we get lyrics that are ridden with "twee clichés". Perhaps it's a bit unfair to criticize a band three songs into their career, but I just find it a bit odd that bands who portray themselves as being very political won't include any of this into their lyrics (mind you, there might be some obvious socialistic metaphors in the lyrics that I've completely missed, the line "How come each new footprint in the snow looks just like the previous one?" might be a comment upon how new political leaders claiming to be radical end up being as conservative as their predecessors). Anyway, the three songs on this demo are all worth checking out (especially "An evening on the heath" which is a peach of a song), and I, for one, will keep an eye open for any future releases by Penny Century.
- Simon Tagestam
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Origins vol. 1
Warner Music Sweden
Much anticipated follow up for 2001 hit-record "Behind the music". As always, it's a trip down memory lane with songs reminding of Love, Stooges, Buffalo Springfield and what not. But also as always, they deliver really, really good songs and the production is right on the money. The first track "Believe I've found" is one of their greatest songs so far and "Song for the others" is also pure beauty. I can't wait to see this live.
- Jason Christie
WE
Smugglers
Nun Music
You like your guitars sound fat and dirty? You happen to like most of Orange Goblin's discography? You like a band that throws you a curve ball once in a while? WE are the band for you. The curve balls that they send your way this time around are straight indie rock songs as well as one of the best ballad I have heard this year. Let's not forget that the band rocks more than is probably necessary.
- Simon Thibaudeau
The first four tracks from Kaizers Orchestra live set are now up. The sound quality isn't perfect, but what's not to like about a band that sounds like (and is enjoyed by) Tom Waits combined with Norwegian folk, bangs on scrap metal percussion and has a frontman named The Jackal? You can't go wrong.
New international tourdates for The Rasmus:
10/27 - Corn Exchange, Edinburgh (SCO)
10/28 - Northumbria Uni, Newcastle (UK)
10/29 - Apollo, Manchester (UK)
10/31 - Guildhall, Portsmouth (UK)
11/01 - Academy, Bristol (UK)
11/02 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (UK)
11/03 - Uea, Norwich (UK)
11/04 - Hammersmith Apollo, London (UK)
11/06 - Mandela Hall, Belfast (IRE)
11/07 - Ambassador Theatre, Dublin (IRE)
11/09 - Knitting Factory, New York (US)
11/11 - Mod Club, Toronto (CAN)
11/12 - Metropolis, Montreal (CAN)
11/14 - Capitol, Quebec City (CAN)
11/17 - Salon 21, Mexico City (MEX)
11/18 - Salon 21, Mexico City (MEX)
11/29 - Halles De Schaerbeek, Brussels (BEL)
11/30 - 13, Tilburg (NL)
12/01 - Den Atelier, Luxembourg (LUX)
12/03 - Grimaldi Forum, Monaco (MON)
12/04 - Rockstore, Montpellier (FRA)
12/05 - Sala Jam, Bergara (SPA)
12/06 - Razzmatazz, Barcelona (SPA)
12/07 - Arena, Madrid (SPA)
12/09 - Hard Club, Porto (POR)
12/10 - Paradise Garage, Lisbon (POR)