Not that it can compete with actually being there, but here's live footage from this weekend's iDEAL Fest featuring the last-ever performance by Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words. Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VsBb_DD2KU
It shares a name with a tune by related act Volcanic Places, but this new track by Pistol Disco is not at all the same: https://pistoldisco.tumblr.com/post/3526221716
And as always, new music from Pistol Disco is a good thing.
The William Blakes' new album "Music wants to be free" is now streaming in its entirety via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/music-wants-to-be-free/sets/music-wants-to-be-free-album/
Said album will be officially released on Monday.
Danish psychrockers Baby Woodrose are now up on Bandcamp with their entire discography available for streaming/purchase, including various sideprojects such as Dragontears and Spids Nøgenhat as well as rarities including a number of things never released before: https://babywoodrose.bandcamp.com/
Pitchfork gives high marks to The Radio Dept.'s singles collection "Passive aggressive", though I'm not so sure about them ever being regarded as underdogs: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15035-passive-aggressive-singles-2002-2010/
Something new from Loney Dear. Direct link: https://vimeo.com/20370947
At long last, Red Moon has graced us with seven new tracks: https://www.redmoongbg.com/
I've been wanting to hear something new from these ladies for something like 5 years now, so I'm super excited to check this out.
I remember hearing Frida Selander in passing something like a half-dozen years ago and not being too impressed, but there's been considerable buzz building in the interim. For one, her inclusion as a member of David Sandström Overdrive is a surefire vote of confidence, but I've also been hearing increasingly louder whispers that her next album will be incredible. Not that I can confirm the hearsay, though we do have this new single to whet our appetites. "Forever on your team" is definitely reminiscent of DSO, not that that's a bad thing, not in the least. Recording with Oskar Sandlund probably helps (I believe it's him on drums as well). As for the rest, wait and see -- "Try again baby" will be officially released on March 25 via .
The ArkThe Ark has never been a band content to write songs. They write anthems, through and through. From their breakout top ten hit, "It takes a fool to remain sane", to newest single, "Breaking up with God", they've graced us with a string of the finest, most bombastic pop/rock of the new millennium. "Arkeology", spanning twenty tracks, spills over with hits. Stacked one after another, it's a staggering ride through 70's glam rock, emotional new-wave and heart-on-sleeves balladry -- always with a sing-along chorus at the forefront. While their albums were consistently top-notch, especially at the band's mid-decade peak, The Ark will always be remembered by their singles. And there are some giants here. The dizzying "Calleth you, cometh I"; the sneering "Father of a son"; the contemplative, rousing "One of us is gonna die young". If you're only familiar with the band from their glitzy 2007 Eurovision entry, "The worrying kind", you may be stunned by what else is on offer. This music will make you feel giddy. The Ark have a knack for taking simple pop ingredients and making them seem impossibly galvanizing. The band wisely curtail entries from their less-than-stellar 2010 album to a pair of singles towards the end of the compilation. Thankfully, "Stay with me" receives a remix, giving it a fuller sound more in keeping with the rest of the tracks. Two new recordings, "Breaking up with God" and "The apocalypse is over", bookend the collection. The former is a punchy pop confection proclaiming frontman Ola Salo's break with organized religion in his usual uplifting fashion. The latter manages to sum up The Ark's career in a triumphant, yet bittersweet swan song. It's a milestone when a band like this decides to call it quits, but I can't think of a better collection of songs -- er... anthems -- to leave as their legacy to the world.
- Nick James
Danish label has started a podcast: https://blog.crunchy.dk/post/The-Crunchy-Frog-Podcast.aspx
In addition to talking and playing various tunes they also interview Powersolo.
Norwegian post-rockers Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson are heading down to SXSW and will be playing a number of US dates on the way there and back:
03/07 - Pianos,Manhattan, New York City, NY
03/08 - Legion Bar, Brooklyn, NY
03/09 - Millcreek Tavern, Philadelphia, PA
03/10 - Tony's house, Ridgewood, NJ
03/11 - Savvas' house, Annapolis, MD
03/12 - tba VA
03/13 - Soapbox, Wilmington, NC
03/14 - The Coup, Clarksville, TN
03/15 - Bear's Oyster Bar, Shreveport, LA
03/18 - Plush (4pm) (notSXSW)
03/19 - Swan Dive (8pm) (SXSW)
03/20 - Hi-Lo Club, Oklahoma City, OK
Full details at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167227483325329
Darkthrone has announced the winners of their fan-created cover art contest for the reissues of "Goatlord" and "Ravishing grimness": https://www.peaceville.com/darkthrone/
The first taste of the upcoming Zweizz + Joey Hopkins (RIP) collaboration album, due out soonish via .
Norwegian indie label is working on putting together their 5th compilation and have assembled a "megamix" preview to go along with a video, still in the works: https://www.metronomiconaudio.net/archives/986
reports that the new Pirate Love album "Narco Lux High School (madrigali spiritualiz)" will be released on May 13. In other label news, they've signed "Mariachi Death Surf" act Los Plantronics and will be releasing their 6th album "Organic voodoo soup" on March 11.