The concept of the NONS "Jävla kritiker!" compilation is intriguing: gather up a number of renown critics and have them all write reviews for songs yet to be made. Then have the artists create the song to fit the review. Even though I knew the results would be mixed, I still was incredibly excited to hear it because the idea is just too good. The downside however, is that my Swedish language skills are just not good enough to understand all of the critical essays that are the foundation of the project. Oh well, at least I still have the music, right? Well, the results are uneven, just as I predicted. There are a few diamonds in the rough though - both Andreas Tilliander and Sophie Rimheden contribute nice dancey electronic numbers and Nicolai Dunger's instrumental track is quite good, as is Silverbullit's song. The highlight for me though, is Isolation Years. It's not all that surprising since they have long been one of my favorite bands, but what can I say? The truth is what it is. Read the review and go download the song.
Artist: Isolation Years
Genre: Indie/Pop/Rock
http://www.isolationyears.com/
http://www.myspace.com/isolationyearsmusic
Reviews: Say-nothing day (mp3) / Melting minds (mp3) / Albino child (mp3) / Landslide (mp3) / Sign, sign / Frosted minds (mp3) / Minstrel (mp3)
MP3: Isolation Years - Minstrel
The concept of the NONS "Jävla kritiker!" compilation is intriguing: gather up a number of renown critics and have them all write reviews for songs yet to be made. Then have the artists create the song to fit the review. Even though I knew the results would be mixed, I still was incredibly excited to hear it because the idea is just too good. The downside however, is that my Swedish language skills are just not good enough to understand all of the critical essays that are the foundation of the project. Oh well, at least I still have the music, right? Well, the results are uneven, just as I predicted. There are a few diamonds in the rough though - both Andreas Tilliander and Sophie Rimheden contribute nice dancey electronic numbers and Nicolai Dunger's instrumental track is quite good, as is Silverbullit's song. The highlight for me though, is Isolation Years. It's not all that surprising since they have long been one of my favorite bands, but what can I say? The truth is what it is. Read the review and go download the song.
Isolation Years - Minstrel
New international tourdates for Swedish indie-folk act Amandine:
10/28 - Stockholm University, Stockholm (SWE) w/Isolation Years
11/02 - Diagonal, Forlí (ITA)
11/04 - La Limonaia, Fucecchio (Firenze) (ITA)
11/06 - Zuni, Ferrara (ITA)
11/12 - Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA w/American Analog Set
11/16 - The Middle East, Cambridge, MA w/Tristeza
11/18 - North Six, Brooklyn, NY w/Tristeza
Umeå's Anna Leong has left Chalksounds and is currently recording a new album with Daniel Berglund (Isolation Years) at Second Home Studios.
"Jävla kritiker!" (Fuckin' critics!) is the name of an interesting new comp from NONS, due out January 18 next year. The idea for the record is backwards - first the critic writes the review and then the musician creates the song. Artists set to appear include IAT favorites Isolation Years and Silverbullit along with many other fine artists such as Sophie Rimheden, Andreas Tilliander, Nicolai Dunger, Håkan Libdo and more. More details: http://www.nons.se/javlakritiker/
Umeå's Klubb Modos is hosting their most amazing night ever on November 12 with an extra-special NONS-tribute night at Scharinska Villan. Not only will Isolation Years and The Perishers be performing live, but Puffin, the band of label founder Per Helin will reunite! And the NONS record crew will be on-hand to DJ as well. Should be an amazing time, I'm sure. For those that are unaware, NONS (North of No South) is one of Sweden's premiere indie labels, releasing records from bands like Komeda, Dr. Kosmos, Ray Wonder, Silverbullit, Komeda and more.
Fredrik Fagerlund (Facer, Diamond Dogs) will be releasing his debut solo album "International" on Smilodon Records in the near future. A number of guests from the bands Isolation Years, Deportees, Perishers and Diamond Dogs join him on the recording and the sound is said to be "like a meeting between Tom Petty, Coldplay, Radiohead and Chris Isaak."
This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:
01. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
02. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
03. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
04. Darin - Why Does It Rain
05. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
06. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty Love
07. Peshi - Hush Hush
08. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
09. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
10. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
11. Firefox - What's That Sound
12. Röyksopp - Only This Moment
13. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
14. Alcazar - Start The Firt
15. Jori Hulkkonen - Lo Fiction
16. Marion Raven - Break You
17. JR Ewing - Fucking & Champagne
18. Madrugada - Stories From The Streets
19. Oscar Sharp / Melo - Runaway
20. David Sandström - Here Is For Summer
Challengers:
01. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
02. Prominent - Lucky Day
03. Isolation Years - Yellow Cross On Blue
04. The Rasmus - No Fear
05. Him - Wings Of A Butterfly
Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753
The upcoming 7" single from Amandine will be for the song "Halo" and will include the exclusive b-sides "Sparrow" and "Between what he's saying and what he regrets". It comes out September 5 via FatCat. I've been listening to my advance copy of the new album quite a bit and can heartily recommend these guys for anyone into downer folky music. Think Isolation Years crossed with Songs: Ohia.
Swedish indie/folk-pop act Pello Revolvers have posted two tracks from their new EP "No spare tyres" for free download: http://www.pellorevolvers.com/
I can't exactly pinpoint who these guys remind me of, but I dig it. They don't sound totally similar, but I suspect that fans of Isolation Years might appreciate them.