I forget who exactly is in Smile, but I'm pretty sure it's folks from Caesars and Peter Bjorn and John or something along those lines. Anyhow, apparently this is label collective 's first-ever music video. File under: friend rock.
On May 30 esteemed Swedish experimental label will release the new LP "Paddan och hunden", a collaboration album featuring Joakim Åhlund (Caesars, Teddybears, Les Big Byrd, etc.) and visual artist Jockum Nordström. Full details: http://www.kningdisk.com/index_kd091.htm
Here is the video for The Asteroids Galaxy Tour's new single "Heart attack" which has a heavy Caesars-like refrain, though I can't place exactly what song it reminds me of. Anyhow, look for the Danish pop act to release their new album "Out of frequency" in the US on January 31, Europe on February 24.
Could it be that Les Big Byrd (nee Big Byrd), the all-star Krautrock-ish sideproject of Jocke and Nino from Caesars with Frans of Fireside, is reactivated? I haven't heard any news, but there's a slew of new video clips on Vimeo posted under Patrik Instedt's account.
Big Byrd, the Stockholm-based supergroup featuring Jocke Åhlund (Teddybears, Caesars), Nino Keller (Caesars), Frans Johansson (Fireside) and Carl Zim Lundell, have a new 7" single coming out on Startracks on April 2 featuring the track "Anna Belle". Preview at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bigbirdtheband
PopMatters on the new Caesars album "Strawberry weed": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/61931/caesars-strawberry-weed/
King of All the AnimalsI've always held a soft spot in my heart for Tigerbombs, mostly as a damned fun summer band, though Pepe Trouble's solo act took me by surprise: not only in solidifying his songwriting amongst the strongest summer-pop work out there, but also by branching out his pop craftsmanship along more serious avenues. With a truly all-star Scandinavian cast, including Astrid Swan, Samae Koskinen (of Sister Flo), and Sweden's The Mopeds, amongst many, many others, King of All the Animals is a talented collection of tried and tested musicians, and "Paper beats rocks" is even further testament to this statement. Instead of the Caesars (Palace)-like tact that Tigerbombs adopt -- chock full of rock organ hooks and fills -- King of All the Animals is a much more typically Scandinavian pop group. "1000-mile-heartache" feels like it fell straight out of a 80s coming-of-age film, a Modern English vibe wrapped around an almost Shout Out Louds-type delivery. "Everything burns red" bristles with perfect guitar hooks and the layered, saturated approach that Moonbabies have perfected. There are a few stumbles on the record, all of which are easily forgiven (and almost more easily forgotten as one become more familiar with the album), and none of which even mildly threaten to derail this proficient and entertaining work. Listen to "The Cologne beat" and you'll know exactly where all my excitement for "Paper beats rock" comes from.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
CaesarsWhen "Strawberry weed" is played in my iPod, the first association that comes to my mind is: Coldplay. This might be outlandish, but it's true. If we throw in some Beach Boys, Beatles and Rolling Stones, then we have a recognizable sound, describing Caesars' new album. I expected to hear something more rebellious and edgy, going more back to their hit "Jerk it out", but didn't. This isn't something you want to scream from the top of your lungs to at festivals, this is something more mature, and something you might want to listen to at a sunny day at the beach. The album consists of 24 songs, it's a double album and frankly, I ain't praising that, even if Ebbot Lundberg deserves admiration, doing a fine job producing this. My 'too much feeling' means that Caesars is that kind of band that can bore you, therefore one good, crammed CD could have been enough. However, in this case, "Strawberry weed", "Fools parade", "You nailed me" and "Boo boo goo goo", does it for me; they are catchy and, should we say, MTV material. But I still wonder why you want to throw in something such as "Solina": a 2:59 long, acoustic song, without César Vidal's easily broken but beautiful voice? It's a small pause in the middle of it all that gives me the feeling of a computer game. To the positive parts, the overall impression is that it makes me darn pleased that the band gives us something new, these dudes knows how to do it despite my words above, and let's face it, Caesars are Caesars and as in a salad, you will always get that little extra parmigiana that gives you a tasty experience and some energetic fuel in the end. "Boo boo goo goo" is a perfect example of that. In the end, after hours of listening somehow this poppy, indie sound gives me almost the same feeling as the beach boys, and it makes me say; Strawberry Field... you nailed me!
- Therese Buxfäldt
Caesars' most recent album "Strawberry weed" will finally get a US release on August 19 via Astralworks.
Here is the It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 albums of the week:
01. Caesars – Strawberry Weed
02. The Mary Onettes – The Mary Onettes
03. Håkan Hellström – Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
04. Okkervil River – The Stage Names
05. Jens Lekman – When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog
06. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names – #3
07. Kings of Convenience – Quiet Is the New Loud
08. Hot Chip – The Warning
09. Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
10. Kings of Convenience – Riot on an Empty Street
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This week's It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 tracks of the week:
01. Hot Chip – Ready for the floor
02. Gentle Touch – Once you used to
03. Caesars – Boo boo goo goo
04. Familjen – Det snurrar i min skalle
05. Markus Krunegård – Jag är en vampyr
06. Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma
07. Caesars – Strawberry weed
08. Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
09. Lykke Li – I'm good, I'm gone
10. Shout Out Louds – Tonight I have to leave it
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
Check out a video of Caesars visiting a Swedish retirement home to promote their new record: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=30012929 (in Swedish, but subtitled)
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
02. Tomas Andersson Wij - En sommar på speed
03. Jill Johnson - Music Row
04. Carola - Främling 25 år
05. Neverstore - Heroes wanted
06. The Cardigans - Best of
07. Fernandoz - Anders & Git - En helt ny dag
08. Caesars - Strawberry weed
09. Kikki Danielsson - Kikkis bästa
10. Lykke Li - Youth novels
11. Takida - Bury the lies
12. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
14. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
15. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
16. Marie Picasso - The secret
17. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
18. Säkert! - Säkert!
19. Sara Isaksson & Anders Widmark - Pool of happiness
20. Björn Skifs - I2I
This week's It's a Trap! Last.fm listening group top 10 artists of the week:
01. Radiohead
02. Jens Lekman
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Lykke Li
05. Band of Horses
06. The Cure
07. Hot Chip
08. Shout Out Louds
09. Caesars
10. Kent
Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/
