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The shambling honky-tonk goth of Chronic Heist is both familiar and other-worldly, in that I know I've heard it before, but I just can't place it. The trio ambles its way through a two-track workout on this 7", drunkenly wobbling and menacing, though desperate to hold on to the last remnants of cocktail pianist geniality. There's something not quite right in that smile, so don't make eye contact. No, this is not the peppy jazz of Miss Li, nor the confessional musings of Frida Hyvönen; this is darker, weirder. They've got swing though, that's for sure. Those of you curious to explore the outlying edges of DIY post-hardcore/indie experimentalism, ala Tar...Feathers, Knife and Ape, et al are sure to find something to like, but I suspect casual indie heads will remain vexed. As for me, the band continues to try new things and I enjoy that, I just don't think they've perfected it yet.
- Avi Roig
Norwegian artsy shoegazers The Low Frequency in Stereo have signed with Rune Grammofon and will be releasing their new album "Futuro" on January 12. Preview a few tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lowfrequencyinstereo
UK-based Swedophiles Tack! Tack! Tack! are taking it back to Sweden with a tour/lecture series later this month. Dates and details at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tacktacktack
Quoteth the press release: "The keynote lectures will present a roadmap of the Swedish music ecosystem, alongside takeaways for how to leverage social media tools to reach an international audience of tastemakers and superfans."
Magnus Lindberg, drummer for Cult of Luna and engineer at Tontektik in Umeå, reports that he just finished mixing a new album from Swedish artist Gustav Spetz which is due to be released via Imperial Recordings sometime next year.
The US release of the new In Flames EP "The mirror's truth" is being sold exclusively via Hot Topic and includes three exclusive tracks not available on their most recent album "A sense of purpose".
Weirdcore is giving away a free compilation of Icelandic music: http://www.weirdcore.com/
Norweigian indie act Monzano will tour Japan next summer with support from label Friend of Mine Records. Dates tba.
Ossler (ft. Pelle Ossler, ex-Wilmer X) will finally hit the road in support of their new album "Ett Brus" in January.
Swedish progg act Gösta Berlings Saga reports that basic tracking for their new record is complete. Check out their studio blog for pics and video clips: http://www.gostaberlingssaga.se/gbs2/2008/11/initial-recording-session-completed/
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Vamp - St. Mandag
02. Erlend Bratland - True Colors
03. Bjørn Eidsvåg - Pust
04. Satyricon - The Age of Nero
05. Ingemars - I Finnskogens rike
06. Åge Aleksandersen & Mikael Wiehe - To stemmer - 14 akustiske sanger
07. Radka Toneff - Butterfly
08. Marit Larsen - The Chase
09. Herborg Kråkevik - Annleis enn i går
10. Odd Børretzen/Lars Martin Myhre - Syv sørgelige sanger og tre triste
11. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Mål & Mening
12. Odd Nordstoga - Pilegrim
13. Karpe Diem - Fire vegger
14. Rita Eriksen - Hjerteslag
15. Maria Mena - Cause & Effect
16. Øystein Sunde - Meget i Sløyd
17. Diverse artister - Mgp Jr 2008
18. Halvdan Sivertsen - Mellom oss
19. Ida Jenshus - Color of the Sun
20. Thomas Brøndbo - Du sa æ va en drøm
Fysisk Format has delayed the release of Next Life's new album "The lost age" to the first week of 2009.
Luxury has signed legendary Gbg-based indie act Franke and will be releasing a new 7" from the band in December with a new full-length to follow on January 14. Whether they'll live up to expectations remains to be seen, all I know is that they were awful at Way Out West two years ago. Take that with a grain of salt though - my understanding is that they've always been a bad live act, so maybe the music will still be alright.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy's new album "The cross of my calling" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/internationalnoiseconspiracy
So is Titiyo's new record "Hidden": http://www.myspace.com/titiyo
PopMatters on the US release of Fredrik's fine album "Na na ni": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/65538-fredrik-na-na-ni/
Chronic Heist