Mixtapes & Cellmates no more

Mixtapes & Cellmates are done: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=45573432&blogId=538015369

Mixtapes & Cellmates
Rox
Nomethod

Returning late last year with their proper second record, Mixtapes & Cellmates have improved in every aspect. Whilst their debut and prior EPs were restrained in their reflective qualities, "Rox" sees them invert that. Could it all be the addition of a drummer? Or could it be the leaps and bounds frontman Robert Svensson has made as a songwriter (as evident on his solo debut)? I believe it's that, and the band coming together as a whole. Theor love of early 90s noisy shoegaze is exemplified on songs such as"Soon", "Rain, letters, memories" and "The lesser half of cynical boys", as is the influence of 80s British guitar pop on "Sunday", "All of the above" and "Soft eyes". What set this apart from their comtemporaries whose output may be similar is that Mixtapes take it all a bit further, adding that bit more screeching guitar notes and maxing out their phase pedals. Everything on this has a bit more emphasis, and it all melds together into blissful music.
- Matt Giordano

Alcoholic Faith Mission
Let this be the last night we care
PonyRec/Paper Garden Records

My first exposure to Alcoholic Faith Mission was quite pleasant, but, with the exception of a few tracks, it was not an enduring experience. Still, I knew there was something there, a delicate concept that had not fully formed on "421 Wythe Avenue". In my review I compared the group to acts such as Broken Social Scene and fellow Danes Slaraffenland, whose "Private cinema", while a far more ethereal work, is a kindred spirit of Alcoholic Faith Mission's gentle, yet driven take on pop music. I also noted that "There is a tragic beauty here, one that blends the emotional registers of Mixtapes & Cellmates and Moonbabies, yet remains quite distinctively an original construct, and it is this ingenuity that sets Alcoholic Faith Mission apart from many of their contemporaries." All of this remains true on "Let this be the last night we care", but the promising intimations are now fully realized -- while retaining the airy, spacious attributes of "421 Wythe Avenue", there is an anthemic, Arcade Fire-like quality permeating the compositions; for fear of waxing poetic, it is as though the intricate clouds of dust of their previous effort have found a way to manifest themselves in a more concrete fashion. "Let this be the last night we care" is brilliant -- engaging even at its most haunted and distraught moments, such as "Sobriety up and left"; moving even when playful; gorgeously layered and focused, all in the same breath. I have had the distinct pleasure of reviewing a number of very strong albums over the past few weeks, and still Alcoholic Faith Mission's stands out from the crowd. It's rare to stumble upon an album like this, one that is reminiscent enough of other acts as to be somewhat nostalgic and yet remains so markedly unique, capable of reminding us where we've been while concurrently functioning as our soundtrack to the present.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

Mixtapes & Cellmates - The brighter place to go

Mixtapes & Cellmates are streaming their new single "The brighter place to go" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mixtapesandcellmates

Robert Svensson - Beat EP

There's a new 3-song EP from Robert Svensson (Mixtapes & Cellmates) featuring guest vocals from Jennie Abrahamsson and you can preview it here: http://www.nomethod.se/beat/
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Robert Svensson recording in May

Robert Svensson (Mixtapes & Cellmates) will be going back into the studio in May to record a new solo album. He will be working at Tambourine Studios in Malmö where many classic Swindie records were made and will have Ludwig Böss (Band of Horses, Ray Wonder, etc.) behind the board. Expect a fall release via Nomethod.

Mixtapes & Cellmates tour support

Mixtapes & Cellmates are seeking fan support to help them make it to SXSW: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mixtapesandcellmates/sxsw-2010-or-bust

Sirius playlist week #3

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:

01. Monty - En till himmel
02. TALK 1
03. Gösta Berlings Saga - Kontrast
04. Yamon Yamon - The darker place
05. Next Life - Paladin warrior
06. Haust - Skate rock
07. TALK 2
08. Okkultokrati - On mouth of hells
09. Blood Command - Party all the way to the hospital
10. Karin Ström - Hon som älskade dig
11. Kommun - The open relationship
12. TALK 3
13. Mattias Alkberg - Nya nya testamentet
14. Boy Omega - Follow the herd
15. No Hope for the Kids - Century of warfare
16. Labbet feat. Russell Morgan - Heart and soul of a lion
17. TALK 4
18. Champagne Riot - The champagne anthem
19. Movits! & Zacke - Först tar vi Manhattan
20. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soon
21. TALK 5
22. No Balls - Suffering contest

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soft eyes

Check out the new Mixtapes & Cellmates video for their latest single "Soft eyes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmMJs0IrrU0

Top 10s for 2009: Nomethod Records

Mixtapes & Cellmates aim for Japan, UK, release new single

Mixtapes & Cellmates will have their latest album "Rox" released in Japan on December 16 via Quince Records and then in the UK on March 22 via One Little Indian. UK folks also get treated to the "Soon" single which will precede the album on January 25. And finally, in other news, the band will release the new domestic single "Soft eyes" on December 13, complete with video.

First list of SXSW 2010 acts confirmed

Scandinavian acts confirmed for SXSW 2010: Ólöf Arnalds, Julian Berntzen, Adiam Dymott, Francis, The Kissaway Trail, Unni Lovlid, Lowood, Mixtapes & Cellmates, Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks), Movits! and Surrounded.

Musik med Mixtapes & Cellmates

Watch Mixtapes & Cellmates perform live for PSL: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2009/10/30/musik-med-mixtapes-cellmates/

MP3: Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soon

All hail the new indie rock'n'roll! I'm fine with their excursions into glitchy electronica, I really am, but Mixtapes & Cellmates sure sound best when they crank up their instruments and play as a band, complete with live drums and all the trimmings. "Soon" isn't exactly 90s Swindie revival, but it's got that spirit and takes me to that same place, the same same way bands like Starmarket and KVLR used to. Man, do I love those raucous drum fills and squeals of feedback! Haven't heard the full album yet (preview here), but if it's all like this, it's gonna be brilliant.

Mixtapes & Cellmates - Soon

Nomethod moves up Aerial, more

Nomethod has moved up the release of the new Aerial album "Put it this way in headlines" to October 22. Expect preorders to be available soon. In related news, labelmates Mixtapes & Cellmates will release their new album "Rox" on October 28 and it will also be available on both 12" vinyl and cassette. The 2nd single "Soft eyes" will be released the same day and will be available as a limited 7" via Fasaden Records b/w the songs "A brighter place to go" and "On fire".