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.

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

Today's Friday track pick comes from one of my favorite bands: Silverbullit. Not only did they put on the best show I saw last year (at Umeå Open), but their most recent album "Arclight" from 2004 easily ranks as one of the top records of the new millennium. This song I'm posting today comes from their second album "Citizen bird", the name of which became their adopted moniker when they released the disc in the US. I saw, ahem, "Citizen Bird" open for The Soundtrack of Our Lives in SF way back when, but it was only me and a couple Swedish expats who were excited. It's a shame too because who knows if the band will ever make it back over here? Maybe guitarist Andreas Nilsson's video work (The Knife, etc.) will help the band get noticed. I hope so. If people want crazy art-rock walls-of-swirling-guitar-noise they need to forget about Serena Maneesh and get the real deal.

MP3: Silverbullit - Magnetic city

Today's Friday track pick comes from one of my favorite bands: Silverbullit. Not only did they put on the best show I saw last year (at Umeå Open), but their most recent album "Arclight" from 2004 easily ranks as one of the top records of the new millennium. This song I'm posting today comes from their second album "Citizen bird", the name of which became their adopted moniker when they released the disc in the US. I saw, ahem, "Citizen Bird" open for The Soundtrack of Our Lives in SF way back when, but it was only me and a couple Swedish expats who were excited. It's a shame too because who knows if the band will ever make it back over here? Maybe guitarist Andreas Nilsson's video work (The Knife, etc.) will help the band get noticed. I hope so. If people want crazy art-rock walls-of-swirling-guitar-noise they need to forget about Serena Maneesh and get the real deal.

Silverbullit - Magnetic city

Finally, a link to the video for the new Knife single "Silent shout": http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=1c4bba8a-2416-4e88-82c1-ae40b49e38c1&delivery=stream
The clip was directed by Andreas Nilsson, better known to some as the guitarist for the excellent band Silverbullit. If you think Serena Maneesh is good, you need to check those guys out right now.

Svenska Kraftekvilibrister, aka experimental noise duo Henrik Rylander and Henrik Andersson, will be playing a special show at GUMP (Jazzhuset, Göteborg) on January 26 with guest guitarists Patrick Caganis (ex-Union Carbide Productions) and Andreas Nilsson (Silverbullit) that will recorded for release via Kning Disk.

This week's Friday pick comes from Swedish artrockers Svenson. I don't know what's up with the band these days, but the album "See you in earth" is something special. Drummer Anders Gustafsson (also in Silverbullit) provides a steady foundation while the rest of the guys do their best to mess things up in all the best possible ways. It's noisy and chaotic, but always fun. Unlike many similar-sounding acts, Svenson never succumbs to darkness or tries to act grim. Never underestimate the importance of a healthy sense of humor! Take pleasure in sonic destruction! Buy it here.

MP3: Svenson - Don't get lost

This week's Friday pick comes from Swedish artrockers Svenson. I don't know what's up with the band these days, but the album "See you in earth" is something special. Drummer Anders Gustafsson (also in Silverbullit) provides a steady foundation while the rest of the guys do their best to mess things up in all the best possible ways. It's noisy and chaotic, but always fun. Unlike many similar-sounding acts, Svenson never succumbs to darkness or tries to act grim. Never underestimate the importance of a healthy sense of humor! Take pleasure in sonic destruction! Buy it here.

Svenson - Don't get lost

Photo: Henrik has updated with new pics of Monkeystrikes, Silverbullit, Mattias Alkberg BD and Håkan Hellström: http://www.photohenrik.com/

Podcast: Build it up, break it down, mess it up

The Kongelige Teater in Köpenhamn, Denmark will be using music from Sweden's Silverbullit in an upcoming ballet production entitled "To die for" which will premiere on October 8. It's not quite as awesome as Entombed's "Unreal estate" IMO, but still very cool.

"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.

Top fives: 2005 so far

Damo Suzuki of Can has selected Silverbullit to be his backing band when he performs at Club Nefertiti in Göteborg on June 4. It should be interesting, as Damo is currently touring the world performing 100% improvised sets with different backing bands all over the world. Hopefully someone will be taping it.