The Cardigans are the first band confirmed for the 2012 edition of Hultsfredfestivalen where they will be performing their 1998 album "Gran Turismo" in its entirety. This will also be the band's first live gig on Swedish soil since 2006.
Apparently The Cardigans are suing The Hives over an unpaid loan: http://gaffa.se/nyhet/48972 (in Swedish)
Brothers of End continue on their path of understated soft-rock melancholia with their sophomore album "Mount inside", due out April 13, with single "Stare at the sun" leading the way. Aside from the lack of Nina Persson's vocals, this tune isn't too far off from the (latter-era) balladeering of the members' other band The Cardigans. Which of course is no bad thing, just don't expect them to indulge in other similar 70s-rock tropes elsewhere on the record. I think I'm also hearing some late-90s Britpop here too, peak-era Travis perhaps? Again, not a bad thing at all as far as I'm concerned. Brothers of End keep things chill and it works, though I fear it may lead to them being unfairly passed over. As much as I enjoy gentle bum-out music, I get the feeling the sentiment is not widely shared these days.
Brothers of End - Stare at the sun
Hari and AinoThe band's self-titled full-length was just okay, but give me two all-star tracks with zero filler and you'll hear no complaints whatsoever. Once again, Hari and Aino play the kind of professional upbeat indiepop you should be familiar with from The Cardigans' early records, but never too sweet or cloying, nor too cute for its own good. What's left is what's most important; the strong, yet understated female vocals, the super-crisp rhythm section and the kind of guitar playing that perfectly suits each part, always with just the right amount of notes and not one iota more. The band's sole misstep is the keyboards on the flip, my pick for the single's best track and a totally unnecessary addition for an already effective arrangement. Beyond that, this is exactly the kind of pop I like to hear from a label like Cloudberry.
- Avi Roig
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show Sirius XMU:
01. Joensuu 1685 - I'm on fire
02. TALK 1
03. Boy Omega - Dinosaur drugs
04. Katatonia - Forsaker
05. Moloken - Die fear will
06. TALK 2
07. Rising - Dead kings
08. The Cardigans - Erase/rewind
09. The Amazing - Dragon
10. TALK 3
11. The First Miles - Black heart
12. [ingenting] - Medan vi sov
13. Skriet - Kärlekens land
14. TALK 4
15. Abandon - It's all gone
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.
Another Swedish supergroup tip via PSL: Brothers of End, featuring Bengt Lagerberg and Lars-Olof Johansson Ståle from The Cardigans plus their childhood friend from Jönköping, Mattias Areskog (Consequences, Marit Bergman, Friska Viljor, etc.). The group's debut album "The end" will be released October 14; in the meantime, hear a track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brothersofend
A CampIf A Camp's female vocalist sounds familiar, it's because you've almost certainly heard her before. Nina Persson is also lead singer of The Cardigans, one of Sweden's biggest musical exports, and A Camp is her side project. Their first album gained wide critical acclaim in 2001, but, due to the continued commercial success of The Cardigans, only now have they had time to follow it up.
Having read that A Camp showed a darker side to Nina, I expected something much more serious, and perhaps even boring, than I actually found on "Colonia". In fact, it has more hooks than some of The Cardigans' recent albums. If I had been told it was their new release, I wouldn't have guessed otherwise.
The highlight for me is certainly "Golden teeth and silver medals", a charming duet with Nicolai Dunger with wonderfully poetic lyrics. Rousing lead single "Stronger than Jesus" is another favourite, along with tribal romp "Here are many wild animals". Contemplative ballads sit side by side with quirky pop songs on this album, which has already earned Nina the front cover of British broadsheet The Independent's Sunday supplement.
It seems an unfortunate irony that this side-project, intended to be a break from the limelight for Nina, is pushing her right back into it. Yet for fans of her work with The Cardigans, it's a lovely treat to find that the wait for their new album was not such a long one after all.
- Jessica Popper
A Camp, the solo project of Nina Persson from The Cardigans, will release their new album "Colonia" in the US/North American on April 28 via Nettwerk.
Nina Persson of The Cardigans is ressurecting her solo project A Camp and will be releasing the new album "Colonia" on January 28. The first single "Stronger than Jesus" will be out November 17. Read more at the band's website, if you can figure out how to navigate the annoying all-Flash design: http://www.acamp.net/
Therese is spot-on in her assessment of Hari and Aino. Comparisons to early Cardigans are unavoidable as they both feature a female-fronted lineup with a similar sweet, cocktail party pop sound and easy-going vibe, though I do disagree about the best song -- "Finland" wins it for me with it's light disco feel and subtle rhythmic intricacy. However, we both agree it's a bit on the restrained side. I understand they're after a very clean, refined sound, but I don't think a little extra excitement would get in the way. As is, it's perfectly pleasant and undemanding. The Cardigans always took more chances, still do in fact. As nice as this is, nice doesn't win.
Hari and Aino - Finland
Hari and AinoTo me, Andrea Dahlkild, lead vocals in Hari and Aino, is a blend between Duffy, Maja Ivarsson and Nina Persson. She is edgy in a sophisticated & balanced way. I ain't eager to go to one of their shows since I don't think that will be needed to change my impression. The Cardigans are not a secretly professional band, but it sometimes falls flat; Hari and Aino reminds me of that. You know when there is a possibility to listen too much of something effecting in sickness to your ears. The album withholds 10 songs, a perfect number! This is sweet indie pop, not cocky, political, heartbreaking songs; no, we are talking about a hint of shyness and pulsating sympathetic music that are feeding your hungry music veins. Finland apparently has a big influence on them (see "Finland") and I really have to ask them why; going on talking about their other songs, I must say that "Seasons" is causing good vibrations and is unquestionably their best hit. Also, I recommend "Your heartache and mine". This Stockholm based band has very good potential, I just want them get wild here and there, to surprise. I wish them my best and think y'all out there should give this little twee beautiful album a listen.
- Therese Buxfäldt
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons
02. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
03. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
04. Sibel - The diving belle
05. Jill Johnson - Music Row
06. Takida - Bury the lies
07. Kikki Danielsson - Kikkis bästa
08. Meshuggah - Obzen
09. Fernandoz - Anders & Git - En helt ny dag
10. The Cardigans - Best of
11. Tomas Andersson Wij - En sommar på speed
12. Carola - Främling 25 år
14. Eskobar - Death in Athens
15. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
16. Lykke Li - Youth novels
17. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
18. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (new edition)
19. The Poodles - Sweet trade (new edition)
20. Tommy Körberg - Rakt upp och ner
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
02. Tomas Andersson Wij - En sommar på speed
03. Jill Johnson - Music Row
04. Carola - Främling 25 år
05. Neverstore - Heroes wanted
06. The Cardigans - Best of
07. Fernandoz - Anders & Git - En helt ny dag
08. Caesars - Strawberry weed
09. Kikki Danielsson - Kikkis bästa
10. Lykke Li - Youth novels
11. Takida - Bury the lies
12. Amy Diamond - Music in motion
14. Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
15. Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
16. Marie Picasso - The secret
17. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
18. Säkert! - Säkert!
19. Sara Isaksson & Anders Widmark - Pool of happiness
20. Björn Skifs - I2I
