9
It can be said that all music is emotional, however, it is not always emoted as well as it could be. Such is not the case with this, the second Asha Ali record. Her absolutely gorgeous voice carries the overwrought, frustrated and desperate feelings that present themselves in destruction and disintegration. This album is about the dissolution of her relationship with the father of her child, and Asha Ali is telling you that story. It's an album of adjustments, of realization, a loss of naïveté. The lead single "Hurricane" lends itself to hope, "In a hurry" follows the manic nervousness that's dealt with massive emotional shock and in "The contract" Asha raises herself out of the fire and back into a new world, still full of uncertainty, but as a person, filled with newfound strength.
- Matt Giordano
New items in stock in the It's a Trap! mailorder:
Björn Kleinhenz - B.U.R.M.A. (CD)
Björn Kleinhenz - Head held high on fearsome pride (CD) + Recording diary
Hearts No Static - Motif (CD)
If you dug the free EP download from Hearts No Static, you'll love the album. Or even if you didn't dig the EP, you might still be into the full-length because it's way better. I stand proudly behind my netlabel's releases, but I know when I'm licked! And as for Björn Kleinhenz's new releases, what more can I say about the man and his work? I've heaped loads of praise on him before and he's deserved every bit of it, but I really do truly believe that he's outdone himself with these two new records. And the recording diary? A stellar addition, perfect for anyone who appreciates the personal touch of a physical release. As always, all items are in-stock and ready to ship.
Also! I know I probably don't have many local readers, but I will be tabling at the Olympia Record Swap here in Olympia, WA on November 14. In addition to a couple crates of quality used vinyl items I've picked up here and there, I'll also be dragging out a good portion of the IAT! distro and will be selling items for dirt cheap, in addition to giving away a whole bunch of stuff I'm sick of looking at. Many CDs will be a buck or less, so if that sounds good, I hope to see you there! And feel free to get in touch if you have special requests as I won't be bringing everything.
Fagertsa punkrockers Bruket are the latest guests at The Tram Sessions: http://thetramsession.blogspot.com/2009/11/bruket.html
Swedish/American duo Dag för Dag will release their full-length debut album "Boo" on March 1. Said album was produced half by American artist Richard Swift and half by Johannes Berglund (Maggie at the Grand Piano, Cobolt). The first single "Animal" will be officially released on December 7, but the band already has it posted for free download right here: http://www.dagfordag.com/animal/animal.mp3
Swedish indie act Ironville will finally officially release their excellent Markus Krunegård-produced debut album "Welcome to Ironville" on November 30 via the band's own label Hare Tracks in cooperation with Playground Music. I've had it for months now on CDr and it's great.
A new month means another new Eric Ramsey song for free download: http://www.ericramsey.se/sonicblastmachine.html
So says the PR: "Once upon a time this song was written and sung by other people's voices in different places. It's a good song to be sung again by Eric Ramsey and friends."
Swedish rapper Embee (Looptroop Rockers) has announced that his second solo album "The mellow turning moment" will be released on February 3, 2010 via Bad Taste Records and Looptroop's own label DVSG. The first single "A day at a time" (feat. Daniel Lemma) will be out later this month and other guests on the album include Annika Norlin (Hello Saferide/Säkert!), Maia Hirasawa, Nikola Sarcevic (Millencolin), Nina Ramsby, Mariam Wallentin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), Håkan Svensson (Nationalteatern) and Fabian Kallerdahl (Music Music Music).
The Aquarian interviews Peter Morén of Peter Bjorn and John: http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/11/03/interview-peter-moren-peter-bjorn-and-john-three-of-a-kind/
Note that Peter talks a bit about his upcoming Swedish-language solo album which will be out next year.
The new Lindstrøm album with featured vocalist Christabelle will be called "Real life is no cool" and is set for release on January 18, 2010.
Swedish customers of cell-provider Comviq can get an exclusive free download song from Jonna Lee: http://www.comviq.se/jonna-lee_start.html
Swedish indie act The Idle Hands are working on a new single called "Hearts" together with renown metal producer/engineer Dan Swanö. Expect a digital release sometime in December.
They aren't all online yet it seems, but the 2nd batch of Submarine Sessions featuring live performances in the belly of a sub from the likes of Powersolo, I Got You on Tape, RebekkaMaria and Taxi Taxi! is now online: http://thirdear.dk/#/mere/submarine_9-17/
Apollon Records is the name of a new Danish pop label out of Aalborg. Their first single "Om Igen" from artist Christal can be seen/heard at their website: http://www.apollonrecs.dk/
They already have plans to release Christal's next single "Kaos" as well as an as-yet-unnamed single from Danish pop/rap duo Pulse. Personally, I don't think that first song sounds all that bad, but the look they've got going really bugs me.
The Washington Post Express talks to Sarah Assbring of El Perro Del Mar about her new album "Love is not pop": http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/11/el-perro-del-mar-love-is-not-pop-sarah-assbring.php
Asha Ali