Swedish retro rockers Dollhouse are streaming their entire album "The royal rendezvous" (produced by Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters) at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rockandsoul
MP3: Quagmire - Pre-emptive retaliation
To be completely honest, I've always kinda Quagmire (nee QGMR) to be noiserock also-rans. They've had a few good moments, but they've always paled in comparison to the acts of the 1st tier. Until now, that is -- the band's new album "We know we don't know" is far and away the best thing they've done. Less pedantic noodling, more drive ala Drive Like Jehu. "Pre-emptive retaliation" buzzes and hums along, sounding not too unlike Division of Laura Lee, 'cept that Quagmire does better on the chorus by throwing in some excellent dual-guitar melodies that push them closer to Seven Feet Four territory. Above all, I'm just happy there's still bands out there making this kind of music and doing it well. Shame that they're still the same folks doing it as back in the day, but what can you do?
Quagmire - Pre-emptive retaliation
The video for They Live By Night's new single "Catching up" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcaOSDS7jaw
Said single will be officially released in mid-September via Razzia Records with a full-length to follow in October. And in case you were wondering, the clip was shot with a Phantom high-speed camera which means that the actual action you see only took about 4 seconds total.
Killerchaps
Lingua franca
Adore Music
"Lingua franca" kicks off like an early punk album, back when the fledgling movement still continued on the rock'n'roll influence and twang of their few predecessors. Killerchaps' ability to combine this sound with the tropes of the contemporary indie rock scene often yields fantastic results. The influence of bands like Franz Ferdinand, another act who cuts a wide swathe through genres, is easily heard on "Got to go" and the album's extraordinary closing track "What in the world have I done". This British influence is noticeable throughout the album -- "Damn this child" and "Knee high water", two of the album's other standout tracks, feel particularly much more British than Scandinavian in their combination of influences and sounds. Despite the slew of solid songs on "Lingua franca" though, about a third of the album feels very 'par for the course.' It's a shame, I would have loved to give Killerchaps an 8 out of 10. It'll happen one day, I'm quite sure of that.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Shout Out Louds and Peter Bjorn and John will head to Brazil next month:
09/19 - Teatro da UFPE, Recife
09/20 - Praça Waldemar Henrique, Belem
09/22 - Era So O Que Faltava, Curitiba
09/23 - Studio SP, São Paulo
09/24 - Studio SP, São Paulo
The epic Shining/Enslaved collaboration "Nine nights in nothingness - Glimpses of downfall" was recorded by NRK when it was performed at Molde this summer and will be rebroadcast on the air and online in late August/early September. Details here: http://www.shining.no/v1/news.php
If you haven't scored yourself a copy of the Lögnhalsmottagningen 7" yet, act soon 'cuz all remaining copies (what few there are) will be pulled on September 1. Otherwise, keep an eye out for a 40-track LP in the near future?
Swedish punkrockers Randy will play Spain in November: http://www.randytheband.com/?NODE=162
Keep an eye out for Swedish tourdates too!
Novoton Records (Antennas, Pascal) has signed Hyper Plastic (ex-This Perfect Day) and will be releasing a 12" vinyl EP in early November. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/hyperplastic
Norwegian metal act Cronian, the project of Øystein G. Brun and Vintersorg of Borknagar, has signed with Indie Recordings and will be releasing their sophomore album "Enterprise" on October 27. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/cronian
Alog will be heading to Japan in late October along with fellow Norwegian sound artists Alexander Rishaug/Marius Watz and Jana Winderen:
10/22 - tba, Osaka
10/23 - tba, Kyoto
10/24 - Loopline, Tokyo
10/25 - tba, Tokyo
Century Media has licensed Dead To This World and Helheim from Dark Essence Records for release in North America. Look for both band's most recent albums to be released on November 11. More here: http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=11325
MIC Norway reports that Röyksopp have a new album on the way in October: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2008082613304989829251
The Danish venue Rust has started a digital record label whose goal will not be to compete with other traditional labels, but instead will focus on sideprojects, remixes and other b-side type releases. First up on October 6 will be the EP "Der er noget galt i himlen" from Lad De Små Børn, a project of Thomas Buttenschøn and Mathias Lyhne. From there, they plan on putting out other new releases every month with EPs on the way from Forest & Crispian and We Go Ego already confirmed. More here: http://www.myspace.com/rustmusicdk