Center of the Universe - Astral harrassment

The new Center of the Universe album "Astral harrassment" is being given away as a free download via Bandcamp: http://meau.bandcamp.com/album/astral-harrassment

The Samuel Jackson Five - Electric crayons

New sounds from Norway's The Samuel Jackson Five featuring guest vox from Thomas Bratlie of Rumble in Rhodos and clarinet action from Jørgen Sissyfus Skjulstad (Center of the Universe). RIYL Scraps of Tape.

Various Artists
Metronomicon Audio compilation 5​.​0
Metronomicon Audio

Fifth signature compilation from the very cool Oslo-based label Metronomicon Audio, celebrating their five years of existence and a variety and diversity of styles. The label's ability to act as an umbrella collective works when the sum of so many contrasting creative devices, at times, outweigh some particulars -- but in the spirit of camaraderie, we're not here to pick those out. Experimental yet smart, the label is a solid example of successful DIY'ing in today's world. The comp could probably roughly grouped into categories: quirky-electronic-based tracks (Hans Ice - "Phone home" / satanicpronocultshop - "Tennnojizoo (remix by Kesalan Patharan)", Toshybot - "Super Nintendo Chalmers"); 80s synth-pop tunes in the vibe of Bill Murray on a karaoke dance-floor (Cyranoarmageddon - "50 cent" / Pilemil - "Back to 1010"); nods to Can (Radio 9 - "Damo Suzuki is staying at my house"); literary freak folk star Magnus Moriarty with, "Distant athletic parts of you" and other serious folk-ies (Yoreyolk - "Eggs" / Feather and Folly - "Emma's island"). My two favourite tracks however, are Hanny - "Can't", female fronted rapping/vocals producing some catchy beats. Then Easy & Center of the Universe - "Bosphorus (Coco high energy rewerk)", mixing the "irresistibly funky sound of Skweee with rich Eastern melodies that one would usually hear in styles like Turkish Anatolian pop, Egyptian our music or dance latest dance sound pounding from a Persian bazaar." If that ain't descript enough for you, let's just say it sounds like the parents have finally reigned home and inundated the kids with who's boss. A comp highly recommended for anyone wanting an appealing taster through Oslo's underground.
- Ann Sung-an Lee

Carve visage: the 7", the remix, the video

Rumble in Rhodos' latest single "Carve visage", the 3rd off their 2011 Spellemann-nominated release "Signs of fervent devotion", is out now on a 7" with a b-side remix by Center of the Universe and a DVD containing the video.

Truls & The Trees + Center of the Universe = Surfing USB

Norwegian indie acts Truls & The Trees and Center of the Universe are putting out a split/collaborative release called "Surfing USB" which of course will come on a USB drive. Download a sample here: http://www.metronomiconaudio.net/mp3/Truls%5ETrees%20vs.%20C.O.U.%20-%20Terrella.mp3
There will be a release show with both bands plus Children and Corpse Playing in The Streets and Pilemil at Parkteateret in Oslo on December 5.

Presenting: Starving Artist Kokebok

A group of Oslo-based artist expats (2 Australians, 1 Canadian) have put together something called the "Starving Artist Kokebok", or "cookbook" for the Norwegian-impaired, a book and CD package featuring artwork, stories and of course recipes from 37 fellow Oslo-based bands, artists and journalists. Also included is a 19-track CD:

01. Simon Says No! - Sleeping Heart
02. Death is Not Glamorous - Clear Lines
03. Lionheart Brothers - Bring it Down (Kokebok Edit)
04. Maribel - Soothe
05. Pica Pica - The Man with the Magic Hands
06. CCTV - We Belong (Radio Edit)
07. Einar Stray - Arrows
08. Pilemil - Ghost
09. Hiawata! - Valley Boys
10. Happy Dagger - 2012
11. Manhattan Skyline - The Below
12. Spirits of the Dead - White Lady Black Rave
13. Årabrot - The Minute
14. The Bee's Niece - Stolen Bike
15. Norma Sass - Japan
16. The Loch Ness Mouse feat. Stella Mwangi - New Graffiti (Single Edit)
17. Center of the Universe - Sing it Again
18. Rosix Noir - Binden Sie Meine Hnde (Remix)
19. The White Tiger Prepade - Powerful fast forward knowledge pushing scared inprinted gem stones levitating by seemingly apathic sound movement reactions

Other contributors include Benea Reach, Haust, Je Suis Animal, Lydia Laska, My Little Pony, Silver and lots more. There will be a release party on November 18 at Rubber Soul featuring an exhibition of the original artworks followed by a show at Revolver later in the evening. More info: http://starvingartistkokebok.blogspot.com/

MP3: Center of the Universe - Apokryfa

As long as I don't have to hear the winny of Sissyfus' lackluster, indie-flavored vocals (think Loney, Dear but far less compelling), I can back Center of the Universe. As a long-time appreciator (connoisseur?) of folk-influenced music from Scandinavia, how could I not? They call it "folksploitation" as it's only loosely based on tradition (if that), but I actually think that strategy works out to their benefit as they're not hemmed in by imaginary boundaries. Melodies of the Middle East co-mingle with sounds of the northern climes and get funneled through the psychedelic vision of the aforementioned Sissyfus to be transformed into something unique. "Apokryfa" is the title track of the third part of their just-completed trilogy, an album they say is about origin. I don't know about that, I just love the way they jam out this odd-timed number and turn it into a total workout. Keep the indierock tendencies to a minimum, please. Prog is all good by me.

Center of the Universe - Apokryfa

New Center of the Universe album in May

Center of the Universe have completed the final part of their space + time trilogy "Apokryfa" and will be releasing it on May 18 via Metronomicon Audio. Download a sample: http://www.metronomiconaudio.net/audio/cou/mp3/Apokryfa%20-%20Period%20of%20time.mp3

Even though it's probably a ploy to raise money to get the thing pressed, I'm excited to report that Duplicate Records is taking preorders for the upcoming gatefold 2xLP Beyond Dawn remix album. It's limited to only 500 copies, so if you're interested, you may want to act fast. Prices are 200 nok in Norway, €23.5 for Europe or $28.50 for the US, not including shipping and handling. Paypal bdremix@duplicate-records.com with your order. Oh, and in case you were wondering, here's the tracklist:

A1. TRNQL – Rune Lindbæk 3:57
A2. Bloody Comeback – Trulz & Robin 6:48
A3. Far From Showbiz – Snuten 5:26

B1. Bloody Comeback – Martin Horntvedt 4:33
B2. Severed Survival – Center Of The Universe 10:15

C1. Increasing the Gravity – Exhale 3:20
C2. Strange Relief – Origami Galaktika 11:34

D1. Among the Sedatives – Verbose 4:52
D2. Far From Showbiz – Bjørn Svin 5:41
D3. Strange Relief – The New Men 7:00