This Vision - 20th century (video)
New shoegazey electro/pop/fuzz from Sweden ala The Radio Dept.. This Vision's new album "The golden age we lost" will be out on May 11 via /.
DiS talks to The Megaphonic Thrift
Drowned in Sound interviews Norwegian indie/noiserockers The Megaphonic Thrift: http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144642-we-want-to-challenge-ourselves-with-every-record-we-make--dis-meets-the-megaphonic-thrift
Maja Ratkje: Voices that Matter
Listen to Norway interviews esteemed Norwegian experimental artist/composer Maja S.K. Ratkje, current Composer in Residence at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and curator of Bergen International Festival's new concert series "Voices that Matter": http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2012032313174635421377
Son of a Kid - Like you (video)
New sights and sounds from Swedish pop artist Son of a Kid.
PopMatters reviews Choir of Young Believers
PopMatters reviews the new Choir of Young Believers album "Rhine gold": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/156133-choir-of-young-believers-rhine-gold/
Summer Heart - A million times (video)
PSL has the premiere of Summer Heart's debut video "A million times": http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2012/03/23/premiar-summer-heart-a-million-times/
Casablanca
Apocalyptic youth
Rocket Songs
I'm not a big fan of supergroups; throwing a bunch of celebrities in a room usually results in extreme hype and ambiguous substance. Half-formulated or compromising in studio = lacklustre songs. Such is not necessarily the case with latest addition Casablanca, featuring Alice Cooper's guitarist Ryan Roxie, Erik Stenemo from Melody Club, Swedish football star Mat Rubarth, Josephine Forsman from Sahara Hotnights on drums, and Anders Ljung from Space Age Baby Jane on vocals. It's the kinda Guns'n'Roses-cum-Journey revival Swedes adore, thrown in a typical 80's epic love battle between hair product and tight jeans brand. The album art directly mimics The Warriors, in that New York 80's spray-painted "Apocalyptic Youth" type. The music's less raw then Alice Cooper or Thin Lizzy that's for sure, and a bit more predictable like Whitesnake or Rod Stewart. If you're into that sort of thing, it'll probably get yr head nodding. The title track's got a formulaic radio rock feel, while fast-paced next track and sugary chorus-friendly "Downtown" echoes a path the Hotnights were once on. The album's production hums big, fat and Eighties, and Josephine's solid, tasteful rock drumming shines brightly, serving as a strong backbone. They definitely show some experienced songwriting; "The juggler" is a smart, feel-good tune. But in general, the cheesy bandana-riffing and melodramatically sung verses such as on "Love and desperation" are a bit overly harry for me. I mean it kicks off with, "HUSH, NOW, THUNDERCHILD", and by track 9, "Last of the Rockstars", I'm experiencing déjà vu. Get the picture? But hey, I ain't gunna rag on something some people, especially in the backwoods country, might clearly enjoy.
- Ann Sung-an Lee
The Samuel Jackson Five - Electric crayons
New sounds from Norway's The Samuel Jackson Five featuring guest vox from Thomas Bratlie of Rumble in Rhodos and clarinet action from Jørgen Sissyfus Skjulstad (Center of the Universe). RIYL Scraps of Tape.
Hebosagil - Herätys
Hebosagil's latest 7" "Herätys", now streaming in full via SoundCloud. Essential listening.
New mini-album from Erik de Vahl next week
Swedish artist Erik de Vahl will have a new 8-song limited CDR/digital download release out on on March 26. Full details: http://www.erikdevahl.com/
Echo Me - Left from the fire
"Left from the fire" is the first single from Danish artist Echo Me's upcoming self-titled debut album, due out April 23 via .
New Terveet Kädet live record out now
So, uh, apparently long-running Finnish hardcore act Terveet Kädet has a new live album out called "UGH!!! Terveet Kädet elävänä" which is half electric/half acoustic. Which also probably means it's only half-listenable, but who knows? I am definitely curious.
Adrian signs VED
has announced the signing of Malmö-based experimental/psych act VED and will be releasing their new self-titled album on May 2. Download a sample tune: http://www.adrianfiles.com/02.Sture_External.mp3
MP3: Kari Harneshaug - Capturing the moments of youth
There's a lot to like about Kari Harneshaug, but I especially love the long, slow burn of a song like "Capturing the moments of youth". It takes awhile to get going, but that's exactly the point -- the payoff wouldn't be nearly as good if the lead-up wasn't so drawn out. Also: excellent use of the guitar/drums/vocals trio format. It actually took me a few listens before I noticed the lack of bass (that, or maybe I've been living in Olympia too long). Not that band suffers for it, in fact, I'd say the extra spaciousness afforded by the lack of low-end allows for far more creative opportunities. They rise to the occasion quite nicely.
Kari Harneshaug - Capturing the moments of youth
Hypertext announce new single
Look for Hypertext to release the new single "Walken" on March 30 along with a new live video showcasing the band playing their four newest singles.