MI reports that has started a new rock/metal imprint called to be run by ex- exec Johnny Hagel: http://www.musikindustrin.se/artikel/1534/Bonnier_Amigo_startar_rocketiketten_Supernova_Records.html (in Swedish)
Their first release will be Royal Republic's debut album with other releases on the way from Hate Ammo, Three Minute Madness, April Divine, The Animation and others to follow.
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. C.Aarmé - M.P.P.
02. TALK 1
03. Existensminimum - Fuglesang
04. The Animation - Overboard
05. Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen
06. TALK 2
07. AlabamicA - You can't save the world
08. Franke - Skinnad
09. October Falls - III
10. TALK 3
11. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - 1999
12. Wolfbrigade - Barren dreams
13. Viisikko - Vapaus valita
14. Culkin - Payperfist
15. TALK 4
16. Lowood - Crash
17. Cut City - Departure in particular
18. Wardruna - Dagr
19. Laakso - In my blood
20. TALK 5
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.
10 years ago or so I would've been all about The Animation, nowadays not so much. I'm still down for post-"Bends" alt-rock with arena pretensions, but it's no longer the zeitgeist, so to hear new bands with such lofty pretenstions is sort of loaded. Back in the day I sought out all sorts of like-minded aspiring bands- it's how I got into Cave In (via "Jupiter", 'natch), Ben Christophers, Arid and many others. But now? Not so much.
Still, it's hard to fault The Animation for trying. I actually appreciate the fact that there's nothing "indie" about them, besides the fact that they have taken a DIY approach to putting out their own album, but I get the sense that's more out of necessity, not by choice. Songs like "Overboard" are defiantly huge; relics of another era. The vocals drift off into falsetto and bolstered by layers of harmony and a driving beat. Strings enter on the breakdown and carry us through to the climatic final chorus and outro. All very predictable. Yet, it's not without its charms. Catch me on a day when I'm not feeling old and cranky and I might actually cop to enjoying it.
The Animation - Overboard
The AnimationThe Animation gives us typical English alternative rock from the late 80s to early 90s with its underground melancholic sound, first associated with London, nowadays with Göteborg. They sound fascinatingly as British as a band can sound, imagine a blend between Keane, just a bit of Radiohead going into the same sentiment as The Verve and with a small portion of the modern vibe, The Killers. "Everest" is their debut and what a debut then! It's a kickass start for these guys and it will probably grow international, parallel to The Hives. Professional, deep and gloomy could be the headline for this album which contains 11 songs, all worthwhile listening too. Highlights are, without any doubt, title track "Everest", "Overboard", and "Confessions"; where lead vocalist Johan Hasselblom sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. Really, this is a red thread coming back and forth in a few songs, but don't be confused because even so, this is more edgy, more! A promising band for Göteborg, shall we expect internationalism and commercialism? Maybe. However, The Animation, with their brilliant song techniques and great instrumental blend, is something for you out there who are classical alternative rock diggers; heads up for this album.
- Therese Buxfäldt
Swedish act The Animation has a new website- go there to download their latest single "Overboard": http://www.theanimation.se/
Swedish act The Animation is giving away their new single "Overboard" for free: http://theanimation.se/
Look for their debut album in late May/early June.
The Animation are letting fans vote on which song will be their next single: http://www.theanimation.se/vote.htm
