Report: Swedish Music Seminar 10/26/06

MP3: Ella Rouge - Manhattan

I've mentioned my appreciation of Christian music a few times here and there, but I think some clarification is in order. When I talk about good Christian music, I mean passionate stuff like Namur and Isolation Years or 16 Horsepower and even the Louvin Brothers. It's important to note that except for the latter, all of these acts consider themselves musicians first, Christians second. The mission is to make music, not necessarily spread the gospel, though inevitably their convictions are reflected in the music. Want an example of what not to do? Listen to today's mp3 from Ella Rouge. This is exactly the kind of empty, vapid music that gives Christian rock such a horrid name. If the Holy Spirit moves you in profound ways, the music should reflect that. Hiring a gospel choir to double the final chorus is no substitute for real emotion. The first couple songs on their record aren't so bad - overproduced and generic yeah, but listenable. I probably wouldn't change the channel if they came on the radio. But this song? Terrible. Painful even. Download at your own risk. Some trivia: The band features the vocals of one Ludwig Andersson, son of Benny from Abba. Though technically proficient in every way, I feel his talents could be put to much better use.

Ella Rouge - Manhattan

The latest Swedish student radio top 20 chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
03. (04) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
04. (02) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
05. (13) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
06. (NY) The Fine Arts Showcase - "Chemical Girl"
07. (06) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
08. (05) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
09. (NY) The Sorayas - "Hours to Days"
10. (08) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
11. (NY) Unarmed Enemies - "Missing Out"
12. (14) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
13. (NY) Dannii Minogue & The Soul Seekerz - "Perfection"
14. (10) Baby Shambles - "Albion"
15. (11) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
16. (NY) Queens of the Stone Age - "Burn the Witch"
17. (07) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
18. (NY) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Weight of the World"
19. (17) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
20. (20) Röyksopp - "What Else Is There?"

Leaving the chart: Architecture in Helsinki, Christian Kjellvander, Ella Rouge, Lethal Bizzie, Stereophonics and Test Icicles.

This week's top 20 Swedish student album chart:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - "I Bet U Look Good on the Dancefloor"
02. (03) Franz Ferdinand - "Walk Away"
03. (NY) The White Stripes - "The Denial Twist"
04. (09) David Sandström Overdrive - "The Crotch of a Saturday"
05. (NY) El Perro Del Mar - "God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)"
06. (07) Róisín Murphy - "Sow Into You"
07. (20) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Is This Love?"
08. (08) ObnoXiuz - "Lägg benen på ryggen och dra"
09. (NY) Lethal Bizzie - "Fire"
10. (NY) Baby Shambles - "Albion"
11. (05) The Embassy - "It Pays to Belong"
12. (05) Test Icicles - "Circle Square Triangle"
13. (17) Gorillaz - "Dirty Harry"
14. (11) Goldfrapp - "Number 1"
15. (NY) Ella Rouge - "Jekyll N Hyde"
16. (04) Christian Kjellvander - "Drunken Hands"
17. (06) Saïan Supa Crew - "La Patte"
18. (ÅT) Architecture in Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind"
19. (NY) Stereophonics - "Devil"
20. (13) Röyksopp - "What Else Is There?"

Leaving the chart: Karl Larsson, Kristian Anttila, Le Sport, Rihanna, Sophie Zelmani, Tiger Lou and The Sunshine.