If I didn't tell you that Tobias Hellkvist was involved with Pixie Carnation, you'd never know from listening. This band sounds nothing at all like his solo material, though you may start to find parallel threads if you look hard enough. For instance, that soaring e-bow/delay guitar in the background? I'd bet money it's all Tobias. Anyhow, I'm not posting this song because Tobias is involved, I'm posting it because it's a damn good song, one of my current favorites. Our personal connection is merely the method of informational transference, I wouldn't bother talking it up if it didn't deserve it. It's a great opener to their new 5-song "Fresh Poems EP", from the haphazard tuning drone that run into the rhythm guitar jangle and kick/snare lead-off, to the way the strings and feedback eventually coalesce to create a heavy air of anticipation. When the band crashes in with those falsetto backing vocals, I'm won over completely. The future is wide open for these guys -- so very recommended.
Pixie Carnation - When did the lights go out
Peter Bjorn and John (minus Björn) perform "Living thing" in a Black Cab Session: http://www.blackcabsessions.com/sessions.php?id=1239120129
Datarock's video for their new single "Give it up" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmNR21tY-VM&fmt=18
The band's new album "Red" will be out September 1 via Nettwerk.
Norwegian jazz artists Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Håkon Kornstad will be performing selections from their critically acclaimed folk/freejazz album "Elise" in Brooklyn, NY on April 10 at Monkey Town. If that's not enough, Kornstad will also be doing a second set with guitarist Brandon Seabrook and drummer Christine Bard that same night. More details: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=127219457&blogId=482182900
A West Side Fabrication recently sneaked out a new Swedish-language comp called "Svenska ord från A West Side Fabrication" featuring two exclusive cuts from Mattias Alkberg, among others. Check it here: http://www.klicktrack.com/westside/releases/various/svenska-ord-fran-a-west-side-fabrication
Check out Scraps of Tape performing "Linear optics" live in Malmö at their record release show: http://www.vimeo.com/3976716
This isn't the best song Shoot the Breeze has written, but it's definitely the best sounding. I've always felt like weak recordings were the one thing holding them back, so it's great to finally hear them sounding as powerful as I imagine they would/could. Producer/guitar hero Ronni Le Tekrø (TNT) did a great job helping them realize their potential; it's just a shame that "Feel as a victim" leans closer towards Nickelback-style overly-sensitive post-grunge arena-rock mediocrity than the classic hardrock they're so good at. I know they've always had those impulses though, so I'm not totally surprised. They've still got a strong sense of melody and the solo section is fantastic. Definitely a kind of 80s-throwback shredder thing, but kept short and sweet and it really does fit the song near-perfectly. I still get bummed by the excessive half-time parts though, that won't ever change, but I love hearing this band continually progress over the years. Looking forward to what comes next!
Shoot the Breeze - Feel as a victim
Lip Service's new single "Silent empire" is now streaming at myspace along with two b-side remixes: http://www.myspace.com/lipservicetheband
5
Magnus Carlson sure is whoring himself out these days; I don't know how else to explain his various appearances on records such as Trummor & Orgel's "Cannonball sessions" and now this. Whatever happened to less is more? At least Magnus' voice raises the level here as opposed to that other example (let us never speak of it again). His contribution to "Weekend lights" is a highlight on this decent, but ultimately forgettable record. Örnsberg (aka artist Johan Ragnarsson) strikes me as a slightly less-indie The Tough Alliance: similar mid-fi techno, but without the art-school hangups and West Coast vibe. He's got good songwriting instincts and an okay voice, but he lacks character and attitude and that's something TTA has in spades (for better or worse). Too cool, too reserved and just way too Stockholm.
- Avi Roig
Finnish pop act Tigerbombs are back in the studio working on their next record.
Finnish psych act Plain Ride is now streaming their new album "House on the hill" via myspace: http://www.myspace.com/plainride
PopMatters reviews I Was A King's self-titled international release: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/72109-i-was-a-king-i-was-a-king/
Örnsberg