Artist: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
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Blackstrap are a band I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot about in the future as the powers-that-be are pushing them hard. They've got that fresh nü-gaze sound - not too dissimilar from Norwegian acts 120 Days or Serena Maneesh, but will less of the Krautrock drone and more melody. They've also got a much more pronounced rock'n'roll flair ala BRMC, but their Swedish flavor probably leans 'em more towards The Soundtrack of Our Lives. I like it, but there's a distinct lack of personality. It's hard not to listen to everything they do without comparing it to some other band, just as I've done. And I still think Silverbullit is the best band of this style - something that is all too apparent considering that this album starts out exactly the same as Silverbullit's "Arclight". Go find yourself an mp3 of "Run" and compare it to "Winning speech" on Blackstrap's myspace profile. It's ridiculous.
Blackstrap - To far gone
The Soundtrack of Our Lives have a new holiday treat posted at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/officialtsool
On this, their third full-length, the cocky youngsters have grown up. And bear with me here, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Mando Diao still put out dirty rock n' roll with great hooks from the 60's, something they've been doing since the "Motown blood EP". The difference between "Ode to ochrasy" and the previous ones is that this one contains songs. Songs that proves a maturity required in the music scene of today. The record kickstarts with the killer "Welcome home, Luc Robitaille" and you can actually feel their ambition to make it a Classic. And I'm the first to admit that I have been wrong when doubting in these guys. Up until now. 'Cause really, every song featured is a damn fine song. From the mellow, soulful "Josephine", to the euphoric "Song for Aberdeen", through to "TV and me", the single that's a fairly big radio hit in Sweden as we speak. I imagine that the decision of having Calle Olsson (Union Carbide Productions, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives) producing was a healthy thing to do. But - and there is a but - the only thing I object against is that, while the production is a craftmanship as good as any, it's not as in-your-face as I want this type of rock n' roll to be. But that's a secondary comment. The primary thing is that Mando Diao have made a record that, if there's any justice in the world, should be remembered for a long time. Time will tell.
- Jonas Appelqvist
November's album of the month selection is a no-brainer: of course I'm going to pick the soon-to-be-released Hello Saferide LP that I'm putting out. The vinyl is due to arrive on Friday, so order now and you might even get it by Monday. How awesome would that be? Also, be sure to note that I'm also taking preorders for the super awesome Razzia Christmas comp "Oh no... it's Christmas!". Featuring brand new songs from the likes of Hello Saferide and Firefox AK with Tiger Lou as well as old holiday chestnuts from The Soundtrack of Our Lives and more! You know you need it! That's not all either - I've also got the new retrospective CD from Danish post-punk act De Må Være Belgiere as well as that new-fangled "Svenskt" compilation. What are you waiting for? Get shopping!
The tracklist for Razzia's "Oh no, it's Christmas" compilation has been finalized:
01. Konie - "Oh yeah, it's Christmas"
02. Hello Saferide - "iPod X-mas"
03. Kristofer Åström - "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus"
04. Laakso - "Merry Christmas"
05. The Thousand Dollar Playboys - "A very sepcial Christmas"
06. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Jingle Hell (stuck in the chimney)"
07. Dreamboy - "Christmas kisses"
08. South Ambulance - "Hangin' in a tie"
09. Firefox AK & Tiger Lou - "Christmas eve"
10. Friska Viljor - "Oh no, this is what I feared all along"
11. Maia Hirasawa - "You were all there"
12. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Jullåten 2004"
13. The Tiny - "No money (for X-mas)"
14. Grande Roses - "To bring back Christmas this year"
15. The Perishers - "Blue Christmas"
16. They Live By Night - "Lucia (I deserve some candles in my hair)"
17. Dogday - "Santa will never get here"
18. The Consequences - "Some kind of magic"
19. Indiekören - "Last Christmas"
Y'know that upcoming Christmas comp that Razzia is putting together? I've got a preview of the tracklist:
Firefox AK & Tiger Lou - Christmas Eve
Friska Viljor - Oh no! This is what I feared all along
Hello Saferide - iPod X-mas
South Ambulance - Hangin' in a tie
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Jullåten 2004
Laakso - Merry Christmas
The Tiny - No money (for X-mas)
Maia Hirasawa - You were all there
The Perishers - Blue Christmas
The Soundtrack of our lives - Jingle Hell (stuck in the chimney)
Consequences - Some kind of magic
Grande Roses - To bring X-mas back this year
Konie - Oh, yeah...it's christmas!
Dogday - Santa will never get there
Indiekören - Last Christmas
They Live By Night - Lucia (I deserve candles in my hair)
Dreamboy - Christmas kisses
Kristofer Åström - I saw mummy kissing Santa Claus
As you can see, some of these tracks are old and previously released (TSOOL for instance), but most are new and exclusive to this release. The exact order is still TBD and a few more tracks are due for submission, but I'll definitely be carrying it in the webstore when it's released on November 15.
Irya Gmeyner is working on a new solo album with Pange Öberg and Ebbot Lundberg (The Soundtrack of Our Lives. Listen to some samples at myspace: http://myspace.com/iryamusic
Heed my battle cry: "Four more years! Four more years!" Yes, It's a trap! turns four tomorrow, thus making me somewhat of an elder statesman on the music blog scene. As I touched on last Friday, I've come a long way from my humble beginnings of sporadic updates and limited content to daily mp3s and news posts. One band that always got me excited back in those early days was The Soundtrack of Our Lives. It often seems like only the most mediocre acts become successful American imports, TSOOL was definitely an exception. They won over crowds not just with great music on record, but also by touring repeatedly and putting on an amazing show every time. The crowd was on the light side the first time they came through SF, but grew substantially on every return trip, a tribute to their effectiveness. Not only that, but they also brought over some great opening acts too: Caesars and Silverbullit. Not that many people cared besides me and a few expats, but I certainly appreciate the effort. Anyhow, one of my favorite TSOOL songs has always been "Nevermore" from 2001's "Behind the music". I just love that riff so much and the solo break is killer, especially when done live. So how about a new record guys?
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Nevermore
The Soundtrack of Our Lives on tour in Australia:
12/02 - Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne
12/08 - Annandale Hotel, Sydney
12/09 - Meredith Music Festival, Meredith
12/12 - The Tote, Collingwood, Melbourne
Weeping Willows have finished recording 15 new songs for their next album! The band says it's a more laidback album with music that is "a nod to their earlier days when the music was more influenced by the 60's." To which I say: awesome. Not that I don't like the band's later material (I do), it's pretty well known that their first two albums are easily their best. Anyhow, the record was recorded in Stockholm with Andy Bell of Oasis and is currently being mixed together with Sigge Krantz. Keyboardist Martin Hederos of The Soundtrack Of Our Lives plays on some of the songs and Patrik Andersson of Barr contributes guest vocals on two tracks. Assuming all goes well, expect a December release.
Stream the Led Zeppelin Polar Prize TV special from Sweden featuring The Soundtrack of Our Lives playing a few Zep classics with help from Nina Persson (The Cardigans) and Maja Ivarsson (The Sounds): http://www.tv4.se/player/categories.aspx?treeId=3013&pid=54314&more=1
The Soundtrack of Our Lives and The Whyte Seeds will tour Europe together in May. Dates soon.
Contrary to what Simon Thibaudeau has to say about it, I actually dig the new Martin McFaul album "Pop mansion". It's got a great 60s psych/folk vibe which reminds me of The Soundtrack of Our Lives' second album "Extended revelation" - mellow, but with a touch of darkness. And besides, I'm a sucker for sweet, fingerpicked guitar. Lucky for you dear readers, you don't need to pick sides. Download today's mp3 and decide for yourself.
This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:
01. (01) Morrissey - "You have killed me"
02. (04) The Radio Dept. - "The Worst Taste In Music"
03. (03) Laakso - "Never Satisfied"
04. (07) Ane Brun w/Teitur - "Rubber & Soul"
05. (05) Arctic Monkeys - "When the Sun Goes Down"
06. (NY) USCB Allstars - "Let's Keep it on Baby"
07. (12) Soviac - "Ogashaga"
08. (06) Dub Sweden - "We're so Loud"
09. (02) Franz Ferdinand - "The Fallen"
10. (11) Hard Fi - "Cash Machine"
11. (NY) Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
12. (NY) Zero 7 w/José Gonzales - "Futures"
13. (17) Jamie Foxx w/Ludacris - "Unpredictable"
14. (18) Placebo - "Song to Say Goodbye"
15. (15) Ghostface Killah w/Ne-Yo - "Back Like That"
16. (16) Håkan Hellström - "Jag hatar att jag älskar dig och jag älskar dig så mycket att jag hatar mig"
17. (13) AFC - "5 för 5"
18. (NY) People Under The Stairs - "Tuxedo Rap"
19. (ÅT) The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Infinite Zero"
20. (NY) Familjen - "Första/sista"
Leaving the chart: Jaheim - "The Chosen One", Damian Marley w/Bobby Brown - "Beautiful", The Streets "When You Wasn't Famous", Firefox AK - "Madame Madame!", Sleepy Brown - "Me, My Baby and My Cadillac" and Robyn - "Crash and Burn Girl"
Contrary to what Simon Thibaudeau has to say about it, I actually dig the new Martin McFaul album "Pop mansion". It's got a great 60s psych/folk vibe which reminds me of The Soundtrack of Our Lives' second album "Extended revelation" - mellow, but with a touch of darkness. And besides, I'm a sucker for sweet, fingerpicked guitar. Lucky for you dear readers, you don't need to pick sides. Download today's mp3 and decide for yourself.
Martin McFaul - Homecoming