Fredrik's "Trilogi" reviewed at PopMatters
PopMatters reviews Fredrik's "Trilogi" collection: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/120322-fredrik-trilogi/
The Silent Ballet reviews Jaga Jazzist
The Silent Ballet likes the new Jaga Jazzist album "One-armed bandit": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/3123/Default.aspx
MP3: Donkeyboy - Ambitions
Here's another song I'm semi-obsessed with right now, though not nearly as deep as Susanne Sundfør's latest. I typically make a point of being at least vaguely familiar with most chart-topping bands because you never know -- sometimes the cream really does rise to the top -- but I had always ignored Donkeyboy because their name sucks and also because, for some reason, I thought they were a hip-hop act and Norwegian hip-hop is almost always awful. I'm late to the game, but I stand corrected! Now I know: Donkeyboy is a fine mainstream pop/rock act that manages to be successful by employing smart, strong hooks with a touch of 80s pastiche. It's a good formula, it worked out well for Superfamily at home in Norway and The Sounds sure seem to do well by it, though I'd argue they are far less "smart"; now Donkeyboy are attempting to take it to the next level (apparently Sweden is already conquered). Good luck to them, I say. They might be a tad too unassuming to break in territories where bold and brash win and that's a shame because that's yet another reason they're a good band. I see bands like Datarock and I think "trying too hard," yet people still seem to like them. Whatever, it's not as if I didn't already think the music biz was a shitsystem.
Donkeyboy - Ambitions
Fredrik
Live @ Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY 02/18/2010
62% -- that was the chance I was told they would play "1986" at this show, by the band a few days earlier after their stellar performance at the Mercury Lounge. The set-up at Union Hall however, allowed their sound to envelop another plane, with abstract projections on display behind them. (Considering the glut of bands that use video, it's always reassuring when the band, in this case Fredrik, does it well uses it to enhance the experience.) Their set included songs from both albums, including oft-loved "Black fur" and "Alina's place". The last time the band played in the States, they were a six-piece; now, they are back down to the two permanent members. This realignment actually allowed the band to provide much clearer renderings of their material, as opposed to the slight muddle of the large ensemble, and it showed in their confidence. Fredrik (the singer) then proclaimed "we've never played this song live before [sic]". They played "1986", and it was absolutely beautiful.
- Matt Giordano
Tobias Fröberg - When we go to war (video)
The video for the new Tobias Fröberg solo single "When we go to war" is now on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uxOMOBlMZ0
His new album "The big up" comes out March 10 via .
Seabear - I'll build you a fire (video)
Here's a new video from Icelandic artist Seabear for the new song "I'll build you a fire": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB-BT_RugUU
New Øresund Space Collective vinyl-only album
Swedish/Danish improv/prog act Øresund Space Collective have a new vinyl-only LP called "Dead man in space" featuring 3 new jams: http://www.recordheaven.net/body.cfm?x=browseItem&iID=83710
Spoon Train spring sampler
Norwegian label has posted a spring sampler comp in time for by:Larm: http://spoontrain.no/blog/audio/2010/02/spoon-train-sampler-spring-2010
It's worth grabbing for the Monzano tracks alone.
MP3: The Graviators - Back to the sabbath
"Back to the sabbath?" Seriously dudes? C'mon, at least try to be original. Which is not to say I don't dig full-on Black Sabbath worship, I guess I just want to hold on to the illusion I'm hearing something new. Regardless, The Graviators do what they do and they do it well enough. I was just out driving around with the album cranked and it felt totally satisfying, like a good hard-rock listening experience should. Perhaps not one for the ages, but it's alright for now.
The Graviators - Back to the sabbath
Petter Seander - Through the storm (video)
Check out the video for Petter Seander's debut solo single "Through the storm": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMyUllbNMtU
Petter is a member of Kristian Anttila's backing band and is also one-half of the songwriting team behind Sleeping Beauty.
Lowcut interviews Sexdrome
Lowcut interviews Danish "retarded black metal punk" act Sexdrome: http://www.lowcut.dk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1061:sexdrome-welcome-to-violence&catid=34:interviews&Itemid=55
C.Aarmé "Angola" preview + download
Preview all three tracks from the new C.Aarmé single "Angola": http://spegelspegel.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/listen-to-angola/
Download a bonus version of the same featuring Anton Kristiansson here: http://spegelspegel.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/an-angola-anton-anthem/
Einar Sjurso interview at Avant-garde Metal
Avant-garde Metal interviews Einar Sjurso of Beyond Dawn/Virus//etc., a strong persence on the Norwegian underground scene: http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/stories2.php?id=153
Grande Roses to record new EP
After releasing a mere two EPs in three years, Grande Roses says that they will (miraculously) be going back into the studio this coming weekend to record yet another which they may even end up releasing less than a year after their last one. Amazing!