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If only the music was original it would make up for the very 2006/7 poor Euro beat and over styling. Universal Poplab are not kitsch enough to be camp, yet still manage to make bad rainbow pop. In fact, let's just lump them in with Slagsmålsklubban, Lo-fi-fnk (yes, darlings they may be) and invite them to start a study group researching Gunther & the Sunshine Girls because on this strength this record, Universal Poplab are out sailing (and those named are a smoke and mirrors). The lyrics are as infantile as this review: "very end is the beginning of a new beginning... end is near a new beginning and it's end, going on and on and on." Horrific.
- Jason Christie
Mainliners are not a new band, but their new self-titled album is the first I've ever heard of them. They're one of those rare bands who I immediately liked from just hearing a few seconds of a track on myspace. Thankfully, the rest of the record doesn't disappoint either - this is easily some of the best Swedish rock'n'roll I've heard in ages. There's a touch of 80s LA hair-metal (think Faster Pussycat), but it's tempered with a rougher, more bluesy vibe. Think more along the lines of early Aerosmith. This particular track I've posted is one of the slower numbers. I guess you could call it a power-ballad. It certainly does have a powerful chorus, as do most of the band's songs. It's nice to hear a band with an organ player who knows how to stick to the background, too. He plays a more prominent role on other tracks, but it's not needed here, so he lays back. That's class. Excuse the hyperbole, but I won't be surprised if this ends up being one of my favorite records this year. It's not groundbreaking, but it sure sounds fresh to these tired ears.
Mainliners - Bourbon and ice
Another surprisingly good record that just came out is Sahara Hotnights's new one "What if leaving is a loving thing". I wasn't sure they were capable of a comeback, but they've gone and proved me wrong. Once you reconcile your expectations and understand that they'll never make another loud rock record like "C'mon let's pretend", you too might be pleasantly surprised. I think the band has always had pop aspirations, they've simply didn't know how to attain them. Hiring Björn Yttling to produce was certainly a big step in the right direction. He's got a great ear for arrangements and the decision to use acoustic guitar as the main rhythm track on opening number "Visit to Vienna" was certainly the right way to go. Build it up with some simple monophonic pianoline doubling the bass and throw in some hand-claps - can't go wrong. Vocalist/frontwoman Maria Andersson gets a little too PJ Harvey with the caterwauling, but overall, I don't think she's ever sounded better. She has always had great attitude, there's no doubt, but she is capable of more. I guess that's what you call maturity, eh? Really well done.
Sahara Hotnights - Visit to Vienna
Check out the video for the new Turbonegro track "Do you do you dig destruction": https://www.cookingvinyl.com/video/turbonegro_dydydd.wmv
The Prisondream is offering up their new single "The department of lost" as a free download, including the b-side: https://www.theprisondream.com/lostminisite.html
The new Blood Music single "Lovely love" is now available for listening at record label Make It Happen's myspace page: https://www.myspace.com/recordlabelmakeithappen
Look for the new album "Threeeps" to be released in September.
Swedish punks Kamikatze will tour Europe next month in support of their new "Jag är defekt" EP: https://www.kamikatze.se/
New José González tourdates, including quite a few in South America:
05/31 - tba, Tijuana (MEX)
06/01 - Puerto 22, Guadalajara (MEX)
06/02 - Lunario, Mexico City (MEX)
06/05 - SESC Cila Mariana, Sao Paulo (BRA)
06/06 - Era So O Que Faltava, Curitiba (BRA)
06/09 - Cina Arte Normandie, Tarapaca (CHI)
06/12 - tba, Mendoza (ARG)
06/14 - Teatro ND Ateneo, Buenos Aires (ARG)
06/16 - tba, Montevideo (URU)
06/28 - Accelerator, Göteborg (SWE)
06/30 - Accelerator, Stockholm (SWE)
07/06 - Cactus Festival, Gent (BEL)
07/08 - International Istanbul Jazz Festival, Istanbul (TUR)
07/24 - Les Nuits de Fourvières Fest, Lyon (FRA)
07/29 - Midlands, Westmeath (IE)
08/11 - Summer Sonic, Chiba Marina Stadium, Tokyo (JAP)
08/12 - Summer Sonic, WTC Open Air Stadium, Osaka (JAP)
Swedish experimental/avant netlabel Hwem has redone their website: https://www.hwem.net/
"Reader's companion" alumni Paris have temporarily revamped their website to announce the release of their new album: https://www.parismusic.se/
The first single "When I laid my eyes on you" is out now and can be heard on myspace: https://www.myspace.com/parissthlm
Lounge-metal act Hellsongs will be unleashing "Symphony of destruction" (Megadeth) as their next single. A free download should be online shortly.
Frukt Records has a new release from Gbg-based indie duo Honeymoon Over! for free download: https://www.fruktrecords.se/
Differnet has a new website to coincide with the release of the new record "Collapsing universe": https://www.collapsinguniverse.org/
Alpine Those Myriads? have parted ways with Osito Records and it looks like they will be releasing their forthcoming album themselves.
Universal Poplab