Ex-Imagine I Had Hands frontman Adam McCormack has new solo music posted on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/adammccormackdk
MP3: High Hats - The end
I was charmed instantly by the High Hats when I first heard "Bitterswede", but their new free EP release "The Montpellier Sessions" seals the deal. They might not be from Göteborg proper, but they embody everything about that classic sound that I've come to love; a perfect balance of snotty punk and charming indiepop with an energy level that puts them on the edge of disaster. Even a false start can't destroy the greatness of "The end", in fact it might even make it better. And those gloriously out-of-tune vocals? It wouldn't be the same without 'em. The la-la-las seal the deal. There's a lot of people out there putting music up for free download, but it is incredibly rare that it's as good as this (unless you get it from me). Very recommended!
High Hats - The end
Eldkvarn
Hunger Hotell
EMI
What first comes to mind listening to Eldkvarn's new record "Hunger Hotell" is how their watermark, the lyrics, are still there; how nostalgia still dominates the music. Listening through the album, I soon realize most of Eldkvarn is left, nothing has really changed; they are still playing their blues-ish sound, just like before. They have added some extra edge that that does at times remind of the old Eldkvarn from the 80s; a guitar riff here and there, but the basics are the same. Just like with "Atlantis" and "Svart blogg", Eldkvarn has been cooperating with The Bear Quartet's Jari Haapalainen and the two have again produced a great and exciting album, one of the most energetic and aggressive records Eldkvarn has ever released and quite possibly the best. It's not hard to notice that Eldkvarn continues to be more and more productive over the years and it is very nice to see that after 30 years, they are still on the right track.
- Morten Frisch
Dead Frog Records has a brand new Christmas track from Rogalski posted for free download: http://www.deadfrogrecords.com/2008/12/rogalski-jul/
Finnish hardcore act Phoenix Foundation are streaming two new tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/phoenixfound
For for their new self-titled album in mid-January via Combat Rock Industry.
Anna Ternheim's new video for "Summer rain" is now online: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=47891728
Guest vocalists on said track include Ane Brun, Nina Kinert, Ellekari Larsson (The Tiny) and Klara Söderberg (First Aid Kit).
Up-and-coming Danish act Atoi will be releasing the new EP "Tonight" on January 12 to be followed by the full-length album "Youth machine" on February 9. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/atoidk
Math-metal nerds get stoked: Meshuggah and Cynic are touring together in February: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=11874
Marit Bergman's latest single "1985" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/maritbergman
Motel De Moka include Paavoharju, Tape and Lykke Li in their best-of-2008 list: http://www.moteldemoka.com/2008/12/08/mokas-top-10-albums-2008/
The Milk Factory on Norwegian trumpet player Arve Henriksen and his new album "Cartography", out on ECM: http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/st/2008/12/arve-henriksen-cartography-ecm-records/
The Svenska Musikerförbundet is the new owner of Digfi as of December. Read more: http://www.digfi.com/default.aspx?id=12199 (in Swedish)
The Confusions' new video for the track "Strangers" is now online: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=47666571
The band is also offering the track as a free download for a limited time: mp3 / mov
The Washington Post Express previews an upcoming live appearance from Norwegian jazz duo Eivind Opsvik and Hakon Kornstad, their very first appearance together in the pared-down format: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/12/long_distance_swing_eivind_opsvik_hakon.php