Download a brand new song from Finnish punkrockers I Walk the Line: https://www.fireinsidemusic.com/mp3/IWTL_nowhereland.mp3
My pals KVLR will be releasing their next album as a free download: https://blog.myspace.com/kvlr
Pitchfork on the latest from Radio Dept.: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/radio-dept/pet-grief.shtml
Why do reviewers still feel the need to reference Abba when discussing Swedish music? Can we please put an end to this?
Absolut Noise does their Q&A thing with Fireside: https://absolutnoise.blogspot.com/2006/06/interview-fireside.html
MP3: Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia
I made a pledge to post more jazz, so that's what I'm gonna do. Jonas Kullhammar is a well-known and respected saxophonist and the song I've posted today is from his 2003 Swedish Grammy Award-winning album "Plays loud for the people". As this review will attest, Kullhammar manages to cover a lot of ground over the course of the record or even as in this case, over the course of a song. It segues back and forth between the carnival-esque sound of the main theme to bebop skronk and back again, as if the two styles were made for one another. I can't quite call it effortless, but it's certainly not as jarring as one would expect. It feels good, so I like it.
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia
MP3: The Bear Quartet - Sailors
"Eternity now" is The Bear Quartet's 14th album and their second in less than eight months. Last year's release "Saturday night" was billed as BQ's most difficult work yet and "Eternity now" is not much of a departure. Again, they indulge in plenty of electronic eclecticism and, as they did with 2002's "Ny våg", a lot of the material is instrumental and abstract. People longing for a return to the folk/rock sound of albums like "Moby dick" or even "Angry brigade" will be disappointed, but those of us who like to be challenged will be rewarded greatly. There's a damn good reason why these guys are considered to be Sweden's best indierock band - it's 100% true. Who else has continued to be as innovative and relevant so far into their career? And with "Eternity now", they show no sign of slowing down.
The Bear Quartet - Sailors
Music is My Girlfriend, Jezebel Recordings and A West Side Fabrication will be teaming up to release an EP from Élodie in early July.
Lorraine has posted two new songs from streaming along with a new, reworked version of an older track: https://www.lorrainemusic.co.uk/
Swedish shoegazers LKWRM report that their upcoming MCD "It really tied the room together" is done sent in to label This Generation Tapes in LA for release. Exact details still tba, but I'll try to keep you posted. In other news, guitarist Mattias has left the band leaving them as a 4-piece. Read more: https://www.lkwrm.com/
Racing Ape has decided to go on hiatus for a bit: https://www.racingape.com/
Swedish death-metal legends Dismember, Entombed, Grave and Unleashed will team up for a European tour together in November. Dates and details soon.
Backstreet Girls have posted a couple old acoustic tracks featuring ex-member Ole Hillborg on vocals for download: https://home.no.net/broerby/jubileum/sounds.htm
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
02. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
03. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
04. Carola - Från nu till evighet
05. Lill Lindfors - Här är den sköna sommaren
06. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
07. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
08. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
09. Ola - Given to fly
10. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
11. BWO - Halcyon days
12. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
13. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
15. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
16. Atomic Swing - The broken habanas
17. Caracola - Caracola
18. Laleh - Laleh
19. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends
20. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
The Sound O.E will be entering the studio on June 26 to record 12 songs for a new album. Expect a fall release.
Surrounded has posted some new unreleased tracks on their website: https://www.surrounded.se/audio.html