The Risky Bizniz blog has new remixes of The Tough Alliance and Studio: http://riskybizniz.blogspot.com/2007/04/spring.html

The Tough Alliance present "25 summers and runnin'": http://www.sincerelyyours.se/video/25%20Summers%20And%20Runnin%27.html

MP3: [ingenting] - Hollywood dreams

I rarely make any attempt to hide my disdain for all things Labrador. Their particular brand of precious twee indiepop just isn't my thing. It's not that I find it unappealing, I just think all sounds so boring and uninspired - something far worse than being polarizing like, say, The Tough Alliance. However, I still give them the benefit of the doubt with every new release, especially since they appear to be so highly regarded. I figure that there's always the chance I'm missing something, but more often than not, I find that my initial hesitations have proved correct. Of course there are exceptions: I've often expressed my respect for Pelle Carlberg and now we can add [ingenting] to list. Simon's review from the other day echoes my own sentiments fairly well, though I'd probably use different artists as reference points. The important points: the guitar work is fantastic and yes, this is truly Swedish indie at its best. And yes, "Hollywood dreams" really is the best song on the record.

[ingenting] - Hollywood dreams

Didn't make to Tack! Tack! Tack! last night for The Tough Alliance and The Fine Arts Showcase? Here's what you missed: [click here]

Live report: The Tough Alliance (+ The Fine Arts Showcase) @ Tack! Tack! Tack!, London UK 10/16/06

MP3: The Tough Alliance - Leg 7

Not only are The Tough Alliance playing Tack! Tack! Tack! tonight, but they've also got a new album out. It's called "Escaping your ambitions" and it's a new age record. I'm not kidding you at all either - it opens with the sound of lolling ocean waves and seagulls and features tons of synthtones with the attack set so soft, it feels like a feather against your eardrum. No heavy house beats, just a smattering of table. No vocals except for a few short samples. Nope, all you get is the soothing sounds of Swedish new age music. My wife the ex-massage therapist commented that she could imagine doing a session with this as the soundtrack. What's more: I actually really like it. I was surprised at how much I liked TTA's previous EP, but this is ridiculous. What's wrong with me? Am I getting soft?

The Tough Alliance - Leg 7

Download The Embassy and The Tough Alliance: http://www.theembassy.info/embassy_tta-dont_close_your_eyes.mp3

Check it, a new track from The Tough Alliance: http://www.sincerelyyours.se/mp3/TTA%20-%20Don't%20Close%20Your%20Eyes.mp3

Only a few more pre-sale tickets left for next month's Tack! Tack! Tack! show with The Tough Alliance and The Fine Arts Showcase. Better act fast if you want one: [click here]

Klas
By the way
self-released

Klas comes across like a mix between Jesus & the Mary Chain and an early Beck (or a not-as-quirky Adam Green) on this self-released CDR. It's Swedish, lo-fi, melodic and utterly charming. Apparently Klas didn't know when he recorded it that The Tough Alliance already have had the good taste to do a cover of 50 Cent's "Many men", although Klas's fine ninety-six second version (with whistling and all!) sounds very different from TTA's rendition. There's definitely room out there for both covers. Four of the six songs on this CDR can be listened to/downloaded on Klas's myspace page - just one click away!
- Simon Tagestam

Tickets for the October 16 Tack! Tack! Tack! show with The Tough Alliance and The Fine Arts Showcase are now on sale: [click here]

Look to the right and you'll see that this fall's debut Tack! Tack! Tack! show in October will feature return guests The Fine Arts Showcase along with The Tough Alliance. Look for special guest DJs and presale ticket info to be announced soon. In related news, the IAT DJs will be spinning at the Sweden Made Me two-year anniversary party on September 30.

The Tough Alliance asks "Did you know that Leif Loket is Tobjörn from Embassy's uncle?" Nope, sure didn't but I guess I do now.

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. Sufjan Stevens
02. The Knife
03. Radiohead
04. The Tough Alliance
05. Franz Ferdinand
06. The Arcade Fire
07. Arctic Monkeys
08. Phoenix
09. Belle and Sebastian
10. Interpol

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. The Tough Alliance - Silly Crimes
02. The Tough Alliance - Mine Was Real
03. Band of Horses - The Funeral
04. The Tough Alliance - Kill Kill Kill
05. The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
06. Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake
07. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
08. Band of Horses - Wicked Gil
09. Band of Horses - Our Swords
10. Band of Horses - Part One

Think that the chart looks boring? I do. Maybe you should contribute! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

The Tough Alliance
New waves
Sincerely Yours

There are currently more electro duos in Sweden than dog owners, but in my opinion, TTA have always been the leaders of this new movement (whereas The Embassy are the founding fathers). Records like their latest EP make me homesick of Sweden. I want to enter a café, go to a club, be at a gig when the band's not playing, turn on the radio, sit in a park, and hear these songs. I can't wait until a future warm summer day at a festival when I'll be sitting in the grass, drinking beer, and listening to "25 years and runnin'" coming out of some dodgy cassette player. I wasn't too sad when TTA left their former label Service, since I assumed they'd continue to write killer tunes. This EP proves that I was right not to worry.
- Simon Tagestam