Jens Lekman - Erica America (+ new album details)
"Erica America" is the first sample tune from the upcoming Jens Lekman album "I know what love isn't", just confirmed for release on September 3 in Europe, September 4 in the US via /.
Label: Service
http://www.srvice.com/
Reviews: Ikons - s/t / Jens Lekman - Nights falls over Kortedala / The Embassy - A compact disc including the Embassy / Cat5 - Play this loud/Sexy CDS / The Tough Alliance - The new school / The Tough Alliance - Holiday EP / The Embassy - Wearing our pop art hearts on our sleeves EP
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Viewing posts 1-15 out of 22Reviews: Ikons - s/t / Jens Lekman - Nights falls over Kortedala / The Embassy - A compact disc including the Embassy / Cat5 - Play this loud/Sexy CDS / The Tough Alliance - The new school / The Tough Alliance - Holiday EP / The Embassy - Wearing our pop art hearts on our sleeves EP
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Ikons - Sister (video)
New stuff from Ikons off their forthcoming album "Life rhythm", due out in May via . Seems like they've officially abandoned their previously darker, more interesting and instrumental/Kraut-heavy sound for a lackluster baggy/Madchester sort of pop thing. Forgive me if I can't conceal my disappointment, but this isn't very good.
Ikons - Free spirit
Via , here's a new track from Ikons which shows the band going in a far less dark direction than before: http://servicedecennium.tumblr.com/post/18553370783/ikons-free-spirit-on-all-three-albums-coming
An argument with myself on pic disc
is doing a picture disc 12" version of the new Jens Lekman EP: http://srvc.se/jens-lekman/an-argument-with-myself%21
New album confirmed for Shine 2009
The new album "Realism" from Finnish electronic pop duo Shine 2009 has been confirmed for release on April 12 via offshoot label .
Forest LP preview
has announced that they will be releasing Forest's self-titled debut LP on February 21 in a limited edition of 250 copies. Preview here: http://srvc.se/forest/forest
Cascine signs World Tour
offshoot label has announced the signing of new Swedish act World Tour. Check out their debut single "Sparks" here: http://www.cascine.us/world-tour-sparks.php
Forest - Soon be over
Preview the new single "Soon be over" from Forest, out soon via : http://srvc.se/forest/forest-soon-be-over
Service begets Casine
has launched a new US-based offshoot label called with a focus on "alt-pop and experimental electronic music with a major-key bent." Their debut release will be an EP from Finnish duo Shine 2009 called "Associates" with an album to follow in 2011. Samples and more info: http://www.cascine.us/
Imperial launches publishing offshoot
is following ¹ into the publishing business with "Va för jävla pack e ni?", a tome on Sweden's football hooligans. Or something like that. More info at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Va-for-javla-pack-e-ni-Berattelsen-om-Stockholms-fotbollsklackar/115792455139673
Service to publish a book
is branching out from the record business and will be publishing a book: http://srvc.se/service/fula-edith-en-dag-blev-vi-stora
More here: http://fulaedith.blogspot.com/
Service now streaming
is now streaming their entire catalogue at their newly revamped website: http://srvc.se/
Ikons
s/t
Service
There's nothing quite like the feeling induced by an airy, nostalgic collection of music that appeals to all the senses rather than simply landing on the ears and, well, sounding like the average album does. Thankfully, "Ikons" is not your average album. Simply listening to this results in a variety of sweeping images being projected into the mind's eye. For example, opener "Slow light" conjures up images of gliding through clear blue skies, ultimate freedom and joy at the forefront of the imagination. And maybe this isn't even the correct interpretation -- if there is one. That's one of the appeals of this album; the ability to induce imaginative visuals and for each listener to have his own ideas of what the music represents. Vocals are used very sparingly here, and when they do appear they offer a distinct '80s new-wave aura that fits perfectly with the rest of the music. "Ikons" is one of those albums that offers a wide variety of styles from song to song while remaining completely coherent as a single entity. There's the chill-out ambience of "Domine", the anthemic "Bye", the pure rock of "The hawk" and everything in between. The oblique return to "Slow light" for closer "Untitled" works unbelievably well in winding the album down on a positive note. While "Ikons" is a wonderful album sonically, it must surely come into its own in the live environment, since an integral part of the band's lineup is visual artist Patrik Johansson, who plies his trade onstage by creating stunning visual concepts to complement the music. They've been lauded for their live shows in the past and one can only imagine how sublime the coupling of the two artforms would work in that setting.
- John Norby
Lake Heartbeat vinyl on the way
will be pressing a limited run of Lake Heartbeat LPs which should hopefully be ready by mid-April, just in time for Record Store Day.