Pitchfork does the guest list thing with Lykke Li: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/144742-guest-list-lykke-li
MP3: Reeperbahn - Havet ligger blankt
More homemade vinyl rips yet again this week -- in case you missed it, I posted an old Bitch Boys track from their New Romantic period last week and if you head back a full month, you'll find a link for the full Viking Truckers album in the comments. Today's selection: Reeperbahn with "Havet ligger blankt" ("The sea is blank"), the first track off their 1979 self-titled debut, easily their finest hour. I do like their later, more postpunk years, but when they first hit the scene as a punky power-pop band, that's when they were at their best. There's definitely a bit of the spirit of '78 in this one too, though it's tempered by jangly guitars and a catchy chorus. No synths in sight and nowhere near as theatrical as The Rezillos, but still kind of the same vibe, especially in the bass playing. Know your history!
If people are interested in hearing more please let me know in the comments.
Reeperbahn - Havet ligger blankt
Pitchfork picks up the new Hello Saferide single "Anna" for the Forkcast: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/144677-new-music-hello-saferide-anna-mp3
Various Artists
Allt ljus på oss!
Mister Suede Records/Plugged Records
The only thing worse than listening to a comp of unsigned bands is being the poor schlub whose job it is to sort through the countless no-name acts to decide who makes the cut. Even the mere suggestion makes me shudder -- for all the talk about the increasingly level playing field, let it be know that just because you can make a record, doesn't mean you should. Anyhow, as one would probably expect, this AllEars.se sampler is a mixed bag with near-nil flow and very little replay value. The majority of the acts aim squarely for the middle and don't disappoint in that regard, but unless you're in one of these bands or related to someone who is, who cares? How much mediocrity can you handle? As for the exceptions, let's run them down: Icke Lika Med stands out by injecting a bit of progg into their whitebread rock and Mourning Tears pulls off a competent goth/classical/martial neo-folk instrumental. Glass, the only band here that I've actually heard before, submits a solid midtempo power-pop track and are followed by The Lonesome Whistle Boys, a band who display a firm grasp of the valued "less is more" concept with a track that comes in just under 1:40. That's an admirable decision, especially since it actually makes me curious to hear more. Finally, CCT-Band deserves a mention as well for their confident swing-time jazz -- par for the course, yet aberrant when it comes to this collection. As for everyone else, well... they aren't awful. It's best I leave it at that.
- Avi Roig
Norwegian melancholy pop act Washington will release their new album "Rouge/Noir" on October 31 via Glitterhouse Records and you can now preview two tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/washingtonband
Swedish electronic soul act Ghost vs. Sanne is doing a string dates in the Northeastern US this September:
09/06 - Joe's Pub, NYC
09/06 - Times Square Arts Center, Artist's Magazine R&B Showcase, NYC
09/18 - Callahan's Club, East Meadow, NY
09/20 - NuBlu Club, NYC
09/26 - The Loft at Tommy Doyle's, Boston, MA
Go here for samples: http://www.myspace.com/ghostvssanne
The excellent Swedish pop-punk act Smalltown reports that their new album "Implosion" is mixed and mastered. The band describes it by saying "it is very different from the last one, while still sounding very much like Smalltown. If that makes sense. We've tried some new stuff, with a lot of different instruments and other things." All that's left is the layout and then it's up to labels Combat Rock and Deranged to see it released.
Norwegian artist Petter Carlsen reports from the studio that a new album is on track for a January release.
IAT.MP3 netlabel alums Imagine I Had Hands have another new track up at myspace, the last of the four they recorded with Jakob Hvitlov (Barra Head): http://www.myspace.com/imagineihadhands
Kingsize Magazine has a new track from Swedish rap artist Lazee available for free download: http://www.kingsizemagazine.se/media/lazee_king_of_europe.mp3
Look for his debut album "Setting standards" to be released next week on August 27.
Skivkoll has the tracklist for the new Olle Ljungström tribute comp "Andre sjunger Olle Ljungström", due out September 24: http://www.skivkoll.se/2008/08/21/andra-sjunger-olle-ljungstrom/
A few of the artists participating are Joakim Berg (Kent), Thomas Di Leva, Andreas Mattsson, Tomas Andersson Wij plus a duet with Ane Brun and Emil Jensen.
Denmark's Blue Foundation is collaborating on a track with American artist Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon). Expect a new EP by the end of the year.
Björn Kleinhenz's new seven-song EP "The rain fish / 217 km" will be out on September 1. Ordering info at his website: http://www.kleinhenz.se/
PopMatters on Icelandic artist Mugison: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/61316/mugison-mugiboogie/
Also reviewed, Lykke Li's "Little bit EP": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/62211/lykke-li-little-bit-ep
22, the (disappointing) new band of ex-Gåte guitarist Magnus Børmark, will release their debut EP "22 E.S.P (Extended Sensory Play)" on August 22 before heading off on a twenty-two date tour of Norway. Dates and samples: http://www.myspace.com/tjueto