Pitchfork on Anna Ternheim's US debut "Halfway to Fivepoints": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/146209-anna-ternheim-halfway-to-fivepoints
Fredrik, the Swedish electronic/experimental pop act featuring members from The LK and Scraps of Tape, will be touring the US in November:
11/05 - DC9, Washington DC
11/06 - Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD
11/07 - Cake Shop, New York, NY
11/08 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
11/09 - Brillobox, Pittsburgh, PA
11/12 - TT the Bear's, Boston, MA
11/13 - Space 538, Portland, ME
11/15 - Piano's, New York, NY
The band's excellent album "Na na ni" finally gets a US release on CD + vinyl on October 28 via The Kora Records.
MP3: Skepticism - The arrival
Skepticism are Finland's undisputed champs of funeral doom. They pioneered the genre back in the early 90s and they're still leading the way today as one of the world's slowest, most heaviest bands with the release of "Alloy", quite possibly their best album yet. As always, the monstrous pipe organ takes center stage, but as their recordings have gotten better, the band has learned to balance their sound more evenly across the board. No longer are the guitars huge wash of white noise, neither are the vocals an indecipherable rumble. The drummer still refuses to employ a proper snare drum, but that's always been part of their charm. And speaking of charm, I have to say that "The arrival", the album's opening track, might be Skepticism's catchiest material yet. It's not just totally crushing, it's also incredibly melodic and daresay, uplifting in its majesty. That's the thing about funeral doom - it doesn't just wallow in misery, it revels in it. As Aleister Crowley says in "The Titanic", "A crown of thorns is still a crown!"
Skepticism - The arrival
Swedish emo-pop act Kid Down is now streaming their new album "I want my girlfriend rich" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kiddown
Tiger Lou tourdates are now updated in the sidebar. The new album "A partial print" is out October 22 and unfortunately no, I haven't heard it yet.
OT: Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten is shutting down their English language news service: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2712652.ece
Swedish rockers Dollhouse will release a new 7" featuring the single "Still got soul" sometime in November via French label Longfellow Deeds. The band's new, now-delayed album will follow in January.
Swedish gothrock act Woland has a new single called "Manhunt" out today on National Records which is also the title track from their forthcoming album. Hear it at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wolandsweden
The Haunted will be touring extensively over the next few months and have even started to line up summer 2009 festival dates. Head to their website for details: http://www.the-haunted.com/
Efterklang has a brand new video for the track "Horseback tenors" posted for free download: http://efterklang.net/home/2008/10/13/day-1-efterklang-gift-week-world-premiere-of-new-video/
Stay tuned for more giveaways over the next few days as the band has dubbed it "Efterklang Gift Week".
Swedish surf trio Langhorns are reuniting for a couple shows in Germany this coming February:
02/13 - 59to1, München
02/14 - Bodega Bar, Wangen Im Allgäu
Danish indie label Tigerspring (Choir of Young Believers, I Scream Ice Cream, Taxi Taxi) has signed Århus-based act Messy Shelters, the solo project of Mikkel Bolding. Look for the EP "Abandonship" in early November, but in the meantime you can listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/messyshelters
Danish pop artist Aura is having her album "Columbine" released throughout Europe via parent label Sony BMG, starting with Spain and then continuing on to elsewhere early next year. Listen at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/auradione
Discobelle has a track from sometime Timbuktu live backing band Damn! who are now breaking out on their own: http://www.discobelle.net/2008/10/13/im-not-going-to-live-another-day-without-you-girl/
MP3: Katzenjammer - Le pop
You should know by now that I love almost anything that manages to incorporate traditional folk into modern music, so you shouldn't be surprised that I'm enjoying Norway's Katzenjammer quite a bit. Countrymates Kaizers Orchestra are a good reference point, 'cept that KJ borrow more from bluegrass than purely European/Gypsy folk. And they're also a heckuva lot more fun, something very very obvious on "Le pop", the title track to their debut album. The 'grass isn't so apparent here as the lilting circus music takes center stage, but I assure you - it's there. And those tight vocal harmonies might have you thinking Pipettes, but they do just as well in rootsier settings. Regardless, I love the seasickness-inducing bombast and that's all that matters. Once again: very fun and right up my alley.
Katzenjammer - Le pop