I'm not a big fan of supergroups; throwing a bunch of celebrities in a room usually results in extreme hype and ambiguous substance. Half-formulated or compromising in studio = lacklustre songs. Such is not necessarily the case with latest addition Casablanca, featuring Alice Cooper's guitarist Ryan Roxie, Erik Stenemo from Melody Club, Swedish football star Mat Rubarth, Josephine Forsman from Sahara Hotnights on drums, and Anders Ljung from Space Age Baby Jane on vocals. It's the kinda Guns'n'Roses-cum-Journey revival Swedes adore, thrown in a typical 80's epic love battle between hair product and tight jeans brand. The album art directly mimics The Warriors, in that New York 80's spray-painted "Apocalyptic Youth" type. The music's less raw then Alice Cooper or Thin Lizzy that's for sure, and a bit more predictable like Whitesnake or Rod Stewart. If you're into that sort of thing, it'll probably get yr head nodding. The title track's got a formulaic radio rock feel, while fast-paced next track and sugary chorus-friendly "Downtown" echoes a path the Hotnights were once on. The album's production hums big, fat and Eighties, and Josephine's solid, tasteful rock drumming shines brightly, serving as a strong backbone. They definitely show some experienced songwriting; "The juggler" is a smart, feel-good tune. But in general, the cheesy bandana-riffing and melodramatically sung verses such as on "Love and desperation" are a bit overly harry for me. I mean it kicks off with, "HUSH, NOW, THUNDERCHILD", and by track 9, "Last of the Rockstars", I'm experiencing déjà vu. Get the picture? But hey, I ain't gunna rag on something some people, especially in the backwoods country, might clearly enjoy. - Ann Sung-an Lee
Casablanca, the new Swedish supergroup featuring members from Sahara Hotnights and Melody Club, have confirmed that their debut full-length "Apocalyptic youth" will be out on March 16, 2012 with the new single "Love and desperation" preceding it on January 20.
I suspect I'm not the only one who reviews all-girl rock bands with a higher-than-usual bout of optimism, a utopian belief that one day chicks can tip the profane masculine iceberg known as R'N'R -- but who also, when duly disappointed, applies as swift and sharp double-edged Kenzo sword. As a disclaimer, I'd like to say I began listening to this record in a key of "10". Anyone who's been privy to modern chick bands -- yes, 80% of which I believe royally suck -- still, without a doubt know the two stalwarts from the 2000s onwards are: The Donnas and the band under review, Sahara Hotnights. This year they've come out with their 6th, "self-titled" album, after having released only covers in 2009. My quip with these two bands is, however talented or resilient they've been, is that they've wavered musically by dabbling in too many styles, trying on various genres like prom dresses. The Donnas went from their days as safety-pin wearin' punks to Sheryl Crow wannabes, to now- a glossy, cock-rock, hair-metal image. WTF? While Sahara Hotnights haven't undergone nearly as drastic an image change, blanket marketing of their hits as "garage punk" vs. "80's radio pop" often left me in wonderment. But their super cool stage candour and Maria Andersson's powerful voice tended to make them the favourite of the pair.
This album certainly proves they cohere as a band, if not in a slightly more grown-up way. They can croon with the age-wisdom of blues devotees and chant joyfully like teenagers at a rally. Yet, as a complete entity, this album blows. Maybe I come with too high of expectations... but so much feels wrong. The song order, the monotonous lyrics, the flow and surprisingly, the lack of self-realization where their strengths lie. Then again, maybe I'm over-intellectualizing it and should retreat as a goofy geezer whose pants wet at any band sounding remotely like The Shangri-Las or Huggy Bear.
Naw.
I mean, if SH wrote an album of songs as meaty and compact as "781", track seven, I wouldn't be complaining. Sure, it sounds like a throwback, but we've already discussed how these ladies have been successfully doing just that the last decade. It's straight, ballsy and to the fuckin' point and that's exactly what I want to hear.
Sometimes I feel talking about girls in rock is like talking about reverse discrimination in the workplace. To compensate for the lack of badly needed estrogen, some subconsciously devalue what would be harsh standards applied to the same music performed by dudes. Sahara Hotnights have all the potential in the world to change how we see music, and they undoubtedly know how to rock, but their latest [and last, so it seems -Ed.] shows the iconic album we dream for, still remains en route. - Ann Sung-an Lee
Sahara Hotnights will be taking an extended break after the conclusion of their fall tour. 'Tis a shame I think since their latest record is pretty great.
Sahara Hotnights have been sort of treading water with their last few records in the sense that they've all left me feeling little more than indifference, but their new self-titled release is a triumph. It's just so refreshing to hear a confident and mature rock record, something of a rarity nowadays. Also, as someone who used to bemoan the lack of youthful vigor so present in their early career, it's a pleasure to hear them move beyond. Inspiring even. Many bands don't make it past those awkward teenage years and, if they do, rarely do they come out on the other side with such grace. Kudos!
Sahara Hotnights will be releasing a new single called "Oh's" at the end of the month with a new self-titled album to follow in late May, their sixth album overall.
Swedes love to spend winter vacation in Thailand, why not send them a bunch of bands for entertainment (and charity)? Check out the ReEarth Festival in Koh Samui, Thailand on February 25-26: http://www.reearth.me/
Acts confirmed include Timbuktu, Sahara Hotnights, Looptroop Rockers, Chords and more.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Bröderna Lindgren - Annan sort (feat. Britta Persson)
02. TALK 1
03. Rigas - Tonite
04. Sienna Root - The road to Agatha (Ahir Bhairav)
05. The Gentle Act Incident - The city doesn't know me
06. Asha Ali - Hurricane
07. TALK 2
08. Agent Side Grinder - Die to live
09. Moloken - My enemy
10. Boys of Scandinavia - Good looking
11. TALK 3
12. Sivert Høyem - Moon landing
13. Moonbabies - Take me to the ballroom
14. The Movements - Save me
15. TALK 4
16. Mikkel Meyer - Tunge (feat. Non)
17. Sahara Hotnights - Impressed by me
18. Samuraj Cities - The weekend is almost over
19. TALK 5
20. Adjagas - Mánu rávdnji
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.
Casablanca
Sahara Hotnights
