Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
03. The Refreshments - Easy to Pick Up, Hard to Put Down
04. Björn Skifs - Skifs Hits!
05. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
06. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
07. Alcazar - Dancefloor - Deluxe
08. Lisa Ekdahl - Olyckssyster
09. Mats Bergmans - Vänd dig inte omo
10. Stefan Nilsson - Så som i himmelen
11. Europe - Start from the Dark
12. Anna-Lotta Larsson - Känn en doft av kärleken
13. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
14. Rebecka Törnqvist - Travel Like in Songs
15. Stefan Sundström - Hjärtats melodi
16. Mando Diao - Hurricane Bar
17. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
18. Blacknuss - Gold
19. Shirley Clamp - Den långsamma blomman
20. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives

Aftonbladet reports that there are still unresolved issues between Universal Records and Burning Heart concerning the former's signing of The Hives: http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,546598,00.html (in Swedish)

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
02. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
03. Lisa Ekdahl - Olyckssyster
04. Europe - Start from the Dark
05. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
06. Björn Skifs - Skifs Hits!
07. Anna-Lotta Larsson - Känn en doft av kärleken
08. Alcazar - Dancefloor - Deluxe
09. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
10. Rebecka Törnqvist - Travel Like in Songs
11. Mando Diao - Hurricane Bar
12. Mats Bergmans - Vänd dig inte omo
13. Sugarplum Fairy - Young and Armed
14. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
15. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
16. Stefan Sundström - Hjärtats melodi
17. The Plan - Embrace Me Beauty
18. Maja - Hemligheter
19. Anders Johansson - When I Become Me
20. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart

Mp3 blog Music for Robots posts about Norwegian goth/doom/metal band Theatre of Tragedy: http://music.for-robots.com/archives/000563.html

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Europe - Start from the Dark
02. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
03. Lisa Ekdahl - Olyckssyster
04. Mandi Diao - Hurricane Bar
05. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
06. Alcazar - Dancefloor - Deluxe
07. Anna-Lotta Larsson - Känn en doft av kärleken
08. Rebecka Törnqvist - Travel Like in Songs
09. Anders Johansson - When I Become Me
10. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
11. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
12. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
13. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart
14. Stefan Sundström - Hjärtats melodi
15. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
16. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
17. Stephen Simmonds - This Must Be Ground
18. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
19. Mats Bergmans - Vänd dig inte omo
20. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!

Delusions of Adequacy reviews Hederos & Hellberg: http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewid=4730

Lisa Ekdahl on tour in Scandinavia:

10/05 - Store Vega, Köpenhamn
10/06 - Rockefeller, Oslo
10/07 - Ibsenhuset , Skien
10/08 - Alfred, Hörnefoss
10/09 - Peer Gynt Salen, Bergen
10/11 - Folken, Stavenger
10/12 - Rådhusteatret, SKI
10/13 - Bodö Kulturhus, Bodö
10/14 - Bakkenteigen Kulturhus, Horten
10/15 - Lilleström Kulturcenter, Lilleström
10/16 - Drammens Teater, Drammen
10/30 - Austurbaer, Reykavik
11/01 - Göte Lejon, Stockholm
11/14 - Storan , Göteborg
11/16 - Katalin, Uppsala
11/18 - Konserthuset, Gävle
11/27 - Kalmarsalen, Kalmar
11/29 - Halmstads Teater, Halmstad
11/30 - Gjethuset, Fredriksvaerk
12/01 - Sönderborghus, Sönderborg
12/02 - Paletten, Viborg
12/03 - Godset, Kolding
12/04 - Train, Århus
12/05 - Skråen, Ålborg
12/07 - Store Vega, Köpenhamn
12/08 - Klauzdal, Herlev
12/09 - Viften, Rödovre
12/10 - Trommen, Hörsholm
12/11 - Bornholms Musikhus, Rönne

Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lisa Ekdahl - Olyckssyster
02. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
03. Alcazar - Dancefloor - Deluxe
04. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
05. Anna-Lotta Larsson - Känn en doft av kärleken
06. Vikingarna - Bästa Kramgoa Låtarna
07. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 Fel
08. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart
09. Stefan Sundström - Hjärtats melodi
10. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
11. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
12. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten - Det Bästa
13. Shirley Clamp - Den Långsamma Blomman
14. Stephen Simmonds - This Must Be Ground
15. Gyllene Tider - Gt 25 - Samtliga Hits!
16. Ana Johnsson - The Way I Am
17. Melody Club - Face the Music
18. Nic & the Family - Hej hej skiva
19. Sandelin & Ekman - I stereo
20. Teddybears Sthlm - Fresh

I didn't realize it yesterday, but that upcoming Circle tour in the UK is in support of their new album "Empire", a new limited-edition vinyl-only release from Riot Season Records. The record contains two extremely long live tracks, "Dragon" and "Empire" and you can get more info here: http://www.riotseason.com/

Lisa Ekdahl will release her new album "Olyckssyster" on September 15. This will be her seventh album, her first in almost eight years. It was produced by Lars Winnerbäck and features a guest appearance from Eva Dahlgren.

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Per Gessle - Mazarin
02. Lisa Miskovsky - Fallingwater
03. José González - Veneer
04. Tomas Andersson Wij - Stjärnorna i oss
05. Moneybrother - Blood panic
06. Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis Vreeswijks bästa
07. The Knife - Deep Cuts
08. Broder Daniel - Cruel Town
09. Sophie Zelmani - Love Affair
10. Backyard Babies - Stockholm Syndrome
11. Jill Johnson - Roots and wings
12. The Latin Kings - Omerta
13. Elin Sigvardsson - Saturday Night Naive
14. Pugh Rogefeldt - Pughs bästa
15. Peter LeMarc - Det som håller oss vid liv
16. Miio - På vårt sätt
17. Bo Kaspers orkester - Vilka tror vi att vi är
18. Lisa Nilsson - Samlade sånger 1992-2003
19. Markoolio - I skuggan av mig själv
20. Lisa Ekdahl - En samling sånger

New pics up at Musique One Stop: Bergman Rock, Komeda, Disfear and Lisa Ekdahl.

Here's this week's top 10 Nordic video chart from YLE/Morjen:

01. Glitz - Away from you (FIN)
02. Technicolour - Fireflies (FIN)
03. Nina Rochelle - Taxi 43 (SWE)
04. The Rasmus - The first day of my life (FIN)
05. Garbo - Won't be in your way (DK)
06. Xantom - Miss you (DK)
07. Johnny Deluxe - Elskovspony (DK)
08. Zen Café - Piha ilman sadettajaa (FIN)
09. User - To feel (SWE)
10. Jonna - Kaikki talossa (FIN)

Challengers:
01. The Latin Kings - Cashen dom tas (SWE)
02. Klovner i kamp - Konger i kamp (NOR)
03. Fintelligens - Vaan sil on väliä (FIN)

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Peter LeMarc - Det som håller oss vid liv
02. The Refreshments - Rock 'n' Roll X-mas
03. Markoolio - I skuggan av mig själv
04. Peter Jöback - Jag kommer hem igen till jul
05. Lisa Miskovsky - Fallingwater
06. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
07. Per Gessle - Mazarin
08. Backyard Babies - Stockholm Syndrome
09. Lasse Stefanz - Det här är bara början
10. Lars Roos - För de som älskar
11. José González - Veneer
12. Bo Kaspers orkester - Vilka tror vi att vi är
13. Mauro Scocco - La Dolce Vita
14. Carola - Jul i Betlehem
15. Christer Sjögren - För kärlekens skull 14 visklassiker
16. Helen Sjöholm / Anders Widmark - Genom varje andetag
17. Mats Ronander - Bästa
18. Bamse - Bamses dunder-hits
19. Broder Daniel - Cruel town
20. Lisa Ekdahl - En samling sånger

By way of Dagensskiva, here is thist week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) The Coral "Bill Mc Cai" 02. (02) The White Stripes "The Hardest Button To Button" 03. (03) Moneybrother "It's Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna" 04. (NY) The Radio Dept. "Pulling Our Weight EP" 05. (04) The Chemical Brothers "Get Yourself High" 06. (05) Niccokick "Turn 27 EP" 07. (12) The Cardigans "Live And Learn" 08. (15) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "We're All In Love" 09. (11) Monastir "The Shape Up EP" 10. (08) Timbuktu Med Peps "Dynamit"

11. (NY) Yo La Tengo "Today Is The Day EP" 12. (NY) Chicks On Speed "Wordy Rappinghood" 13. (10) Laakso "Demon" 14. (07) Daft Punk "Something About Us" 15. (09) Rocky Dennis "Maple Leaves EP" 16. (NY) M.A.S.S. "Live A Little" 17. (NY) De Stijl "My Own Way" 18. (NY) Radiohead "2+2=5" 19. (18) Travis "The Beautiful Occupation" 20. (NY) The Knife "Handy-Man"

Leaving the chart:
06. Paris "Rainy Day In London"
13. Bring Me The Fucking Riot...Man "Lolita Riotta"
14. The Legends "There And Back Again"
16. Guided By Voices "The Best Of Jill Hives"
17. Slow Train Soul "In The Black Of Night"
19. Primal Scream Ft. (Kate Moss "Some Velvet Morning"
20. The Bear Quartet "Ask Me, Don't Axe Me"

As you've probably already heard, the first couple bands for next year's Hultsfred fest have been confirmed: Broder Daniel, C.Aarmé, Rocky Dennis, The Legends, Snook and The Kid. The show isn't until next July, but tickets go on sale at the end of December. Details: www.rockparty.se

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Peter LeMarc - Det som håller oss vid liv
02. Lisa Miskovsky - Fallingwater
03. Backyard Babies - Stockholm Syndrome
04. José González - Veneer
05. Lasse Stefanz - Det här är bara början
06. Per Gessle - Mazarin
07. Bo Kaspers orkester - Vilka tror vi att vi är
08. Mauro Scocco - La Dolce Vita
09. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
10. Christer Sjögren - För kärlekens skull 14 visklassiker
11. Mats Ronander - Bästa
12. Peter Jöback - Jag kommer hem igen till jul
13. Bamse - Bamses dunder-hits
14. Broder Daniel - Cruel town
15. Helen Sjöholm / Anders Widmark - Genom varje andetag
16. Lars Roos - För de som älskar
17. The Latin Kings - Omertá
18. Lisa Ekdahl - En samling sånger
19. Christian Kjellvander - Introducing the past
20. Anna-Lotta Larson - Tidlöst

It's that time of year again - the time when they start handing out those year-end accolades and up first is the 25th annual Aftonbladet Rockbjörnen. Write in your suggestions for nominees here: http://www.aftonbladet.se/rockbjornen. And if you're feeling uninspired, maybe this will give you some good ideas on who to suggest. (in Swedish)

Here's the top 20 Swedish albums of the week, as reported by Aftonbladet:

01. Backyard Babies - Stockholm Syndrome
02. Lisa Miskovsky - Fallingwater
03. Lasse Stefanz - Det här är bara början
04. José González - Veneer
05. Bo Kaspers orkester - Vilka tror vi att vi är
06. Christer Sjögren - För kärlekens skull 14 visklassiker
07. Per Gessle - Mazarin
08. Lisa Ekdahl - En samling sånger
09. Helen Sjöholm / Anders Widmark - Genom varje andetag
10. Bamse - Bamses dunder-hits
11. Broder Daniel - Cruel town
12. The Latin Kings - Omertá
13. Hammerfall - One Crimson Night
14. Carola - Guld platina & passion - det bästa
15. Anna-Lotta Larson - Tidlöst
16. Fred Åkerström - Freds bästa
17. Christian Kjellvander - Introducing the past
18. Bosson - Rockstar
19. User - User
20. Pauline - Candy rain

Swedish jazz/pop singer Lisa Ekdahl makes an appearance on the new Rod Stewart jazz song and standards album "As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 2", lending her vocals talents to the track "Where Or When". It came out this week on J-Records. Preview Lisa's recent comp album "En Samling Sånger" in a flash jukebox right here.

Lisa Ekdahl is heading out on a full Scandinavian tour in support of her new best-of compilation album "En Samling Sånger". The dates:

10/31 - Trommen, Hörsholm (DK)
11/01 - Magasinet / Amfiscenen, Odense (DK)
11/04 - Musikhuset, Århus (DK)
11/05 - Skråen, Ålborg (DK)
11/06 - Vega, Köpenhamn (DK)
11/10 - Göta Lejon, Stockholm (SWE)
11/11 - Konserthuset, Göteborg (SWE)
11/12 - Katalin, Uppsala (SWE)
11/15 - Grieghallen, Bergen (NOR)
11/16 - Nötteröy Kulturhus, Tönsberg (NOR)
11/18 - Hamar Kulturhus, Hamar (NOR)
11/19 - Sandnes Kulturhus, Sandnes (NOR)
11/20 - Rockefeller, Oslo (NOR)
11/23 - Konserthuset, Malmö (SWE)
11/28 - Konsert & Kongress, Linköping (SWE)

Lisa Ekdahl will release a best-of CD on October 15 called "En Samling Sånger". Look for the new single "Nästa Dag" and a tour soon. Read the full press release. (in Swedish)

In my continuing quest to open your ears to new music, there's some new mp3s on the right. First is Jaga Jazzist with the title track from their upcoming US debut "Animal Chin". They do a combination of jazz with electronic elements that's actually really, really cool. Normally I wouldn't expect myself to get into something like that, but they're really good. Next is three tracks from The Haunted's performance at Popstad. If you're into metal, you should already know these guys. Ex-At The Gates/Seance, total Slayer-worship. Can't go wrong with that.

Dagensskiva reports that Kamera had a bunch of gear stolen along with Ed Hartcourt's favorite leather jacket from their show at KB in Malm�. Among the missing instruments are a Mexican-made Strat, an Ibanez SG-style guitar and an Ibanez SG-style bass. Read more.

Hell On Wheels have announced that "It's Wrong Being a Boy" will be their new single out on May 8. They'll be shooting a video for the track this evening around the rural suburbs of Stockholm.

Elisa TV has posted V�rttin�'s video for "Tuulen Tunto" (To Feel the Wind) for viewing: RealMedia 1 / RealMedia 2 / Windows
It was filmed on February 28 at Aleksanterin Teatteri by Deco Media for the Finnish TV program 'Levyraati'.

Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet is the recipient of the Arnold R�rlings-scholarship. Read more.

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine of all places has reviewed David & the Citizens "For All Happy Endings":

Who�s got "Swedish fever"? It's time to retire your Abba records-guilt free! David & The Citizens are the best thing to come from Sweden since the bikini team. They have a unique, unclassifiable sound that's been compared to Beck, the Rolling Stones, and Belle And Sebastian. Regardless of that, it�ll make you wanna pick up your accordion and start dancing. With catchy song titles like "Now She Sleeps in a Box in the Good Soil of Denmark," how could you go wrong? Definitely a must-buy.
- J.T. Kitzmiller

NRK has posted a plethora of pictures from the Inferno Festival in Norway. Immortal, Red Harvest and Opeth are just three of the bands featured. On-demand video footage coming soon, too.

The Knife will be doing the soundtrack for Christina Olofson's upcoming film "Hannah med H" ('Hannah with an H'). The full CD will include some 30-odd tracks and should be out sometime in fall. The move premieres on December 12.

From Sam Roberts' homepage on opening for TSOOL on a few dates around the US:

Our tour with The Soundtrack of Our Lives has also sadly come to an end. They were the model of Swedish hospitality from beginning to end, and we'd like to thank the band and crew for taking such good care of a bunch of Canuck drunks.
There wasn't a single show where they didn't blow our minds- they might just be the best live band in the world. Another thing we learned about our Scandinavian brethren is that they know how to party, and we have been on a strict regimen of vitamins and lentil soup since our return.
Adios for now you crazy bastards...

For an entirely different take than Pitchfork on Turbonegro's new album, read this review from Dagensskiva. (in Swedish)

Miss Universum's (Doktor Kosmos) debut album "Selfelected" comes out May 16. Uje Brandelius helped with the songwriting and Jens Lindg�rd produced. The first single "Fertilize" comes out April 25.

P3 reports that when the Dalai Lama comes to Sweden on June 3 the following artists will be playing: Thomas Dileva, Lisa Ekdahl, Anders Widmark, Sara Isaksson, and Chime Arkhang. Tomas Ledin will host.

Looptroop, Mikael Wiehe, Bob Hansson, Kajsa Grytt and Stefan Sundstr�m are all scheduled to play a big free concert at Mondo in Stockholm on May 11 in a show of solidarity and support for everyone convicted at the EU summit riots in G�teborg back in 2001.

Some new acts confirmed for Hultsfred: Randy, Ursula Rucker, Stefan Sundstr�m, Strebers, Isolation Years, Paola, Kajsa Grytt, Johan Bergqvist and Advance Patrol.

Some of the names for the upcoming Koneisto fest in Finland seem to have been leaked. Here's what I've heard so far: Miss Kittin, T.Raumschmiere, Erlend Oye, Uusi Fantasia, Ed Rush, Ralph Myerz & Jack Herren Band, Gilles Peterson, London Elektricity, Kuusumun Profeetta, Imatran Voima, Youngsters, Didier Sound Spectrum, Datarock, Kaptein Kaliber, and Seb Fontaine. The electronic music event takes place in Helsinki 7/25-7/27.

Here's an e-card for Oslo's Bertine Zetlizt. It includes a short English bio along with 3 song samples and a video.