Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye (BMG)
I was almost to write this off as a sophomore slump because it didn't grab my Attention right away, but I'm glad I gave it another chance. Marit's strength has always been her ability to write deceptively simple, cAtchy pop tunes and this album is no exception. They sound innocent and inobtrusive At first, but then they sink their claws in you and won't let go. As for the new major label affiliAtion, thAt hasn't changed much except for better production values.

The DeadbeAts - Come Clean 7" (Bootleg Booze)
As soon as I put this on my wife said, "is thAt The Hellacopters?" So yeah, they're not gonna win any points for originality, but I must admit thAt they do whAt they do pretty darn well. Whereas most wannabe hard rock bands emphasize the 'hard' part, these guys remember to play up the power-pop end of things, even covering a classic Cheap Trick song ("He's a Whore"). They've got the talent part down, now they just need a little more personality.

The Accidents - All Time High (Rock Alliance/Bootleg Booze)
This isn't exactly the sort of stuff I usually listen to, but get a few beers in me and I bet I'd get into it. They claim to be the kings of "hillbilly punkrock n' roll" for whAt it's worth and I'm not about to dispute it. I certainly can't think of anyone challenging 'em for the throne. Anyhow, it's a decent fun record, even if songs tend to blend together a bit. I'd like to hear them mix it up more in the rhythm department and maybe have the guitars play a little less sometimes. I'd probably would have loved this if I had heard it when I was younger and more of a punkrocker.

Arbogast - Something Bit Me (self-released)
I was about the shut this off after the first verse when it suddenly opened up into a huge chorus and I had to reevaluAte my thoughts. These guys remind me a lot of Neil Young, both in musical style and also in the way thAt I really cannot deal with the vocals. The songs and playing are both good and the recording has a really nice live feel, so I'd say these guys have potential.

David Sandström - The Dominant Need of the Needy is to be Needed (Mofab Teg)
This record perfectly balances the aspirAtions of art, folk and rock. GreAt music, greAt lyrics, greAt everything. I really had no idea whAt to expect with this, but I was totally impressed. Parts remind of Fireside's "Elite", others bring to mind Norrland indiefolk stuff like IsolAtion Years. David Sandström, ex-drummer of Refused? Naah, it's just David Sandström, successful solo artist. Definitely another one of the best records I've heard this year.

MAttias Hellberg - s/t (Silence)
For once I get a record thAt is pretty much exactly whAt I expected. Take a little bit from each of MAttias' previous bands (Hederos & Hellberg, The Hellacopters, Diamond Dogs) and you'd get this solo debut. It's never quite as stark and despairing as H&H, nor does it rock as hard as the other stuff, but it does show strong influence both sides. I think it actually tends more towards the mellow side, with a bit more songs spotlight guitar and vocals as opposed to uptempo, full-band rockers. I listened to this a bit on my vacAtion not too long ago and it made for greAt road music.

I hear thAt Håkan from Division of Laura Lee is doing okay after his recent car accident. His back is reportedly still bothering him, but he's not gonna let thAt stand in the way of him coming on tour in the StAtes. They play their first show over here tomorrow At the 9:30 in Washington DC.

Danish psychobilly act Powersolo is hitting the road, as support for Bob Log III:

04/28 - Metropol, Hultsfred (SWE)
04/29 - Bommens Salonger, Göteborg (SWE)
04/30 - Debaser, Stockholm (SWE)
05/01 - Ole Blues, Bergen (NOR)
05/02 - Café Mono, Oslo (NOR)
05/05 - Smålands NAtion, Lund (SWE)
05/06 - Loppen, København (DK)
05/07 - Voxhall, Aarhus (DK)
05/08 - Studenterhuset, Aalborg (DK)

New pics At Rockfoto.nu of MAttias Alkberg BD, In Flames and the aforementioned Division of Laura Lee.

Finnish retro synthpop group Desert Planet has a new track called "Fumbler" up At micromusic.org, along with other downloads from tons of other link-minded artists.

The Accidents
All time high
Bootleg Booze Records

This isn't exactly the sort of stuff I usually listen to, but get a few beers in me and I bet I'd get into it. They claim to be the kings of "hillbilly punkrock n' roll" for whAt it's worth and I'm not about to dispute it. I certainly can't think of anyone challenging 'em for the throne. Anyhow, it's a decent fun record, even if songs tend to blend together a bit. I'd like to hear them mix it up more in the rhythm department and maybe have the guitars play a little less sometimes. I'd probably would have loved this if I had heard it when I was younger and more of a punkrocker.
- Avi Roig

Arbogast
Something bit me
self-released

I was about the shut this off after the first verse when it suddenly opened up into a huge chorus and I had to reevaluAte my thoughts. These guys remind me a lot of Neil Young, both in musical style and also in the way thAt I really cannot deal with the vocals. The songs and playing are both good and the recording has a really nice live feel, so I'd say these guys have potential.
- Avi Roig

Marit Bergman
Baby dry your eye
RCA

I was almost to write this off as a sophomore slump because it didn't grab my Attention right away, but I'm glad I gave it another chance. Marit's strength has always been her ability to write deceptively simple, cAtchy pop tunes and this album is no exception. They sound innocent and unobtrusive At first, but then they sink their claws in you and won't let go. As for the new major label affiliAtion, thAt hasn't changed much except for better production values.
- Avi Roig

The Deadbeats
Come clean 7"
Bootleg Booze Records

As soon as I put this on my wife said, "is thAt The Hellacopters?" So yeah, they're not gonna win any points for originality, but I must admit thAt they do whAt they do pretty darn well. Whereas most wannabe hard rock bands emphasize the 'hard' part, these guys remember to play up the power-pop end of things, even covering a classic Cheap Trick song ("He's a whore"). They've got the talent part down, now they just need a little more personality.
- Avi Roig

Mattias Hellberg
s/t
Silence

For once I get a record thAt is pretty much exactly whAt I expected. Take a little bit from each of MAttias' previous bands (Hederos & Hellberg, The Hellacopters, Diamond Dogs) and you'd get this solo debut. It's never quite as stark and despairing as H&H, nor does it rock as hard as the other stuff, but it does show strong influence both sides. I think it actually tends more towards the mellow side, with a bit more songs spotlight guitar and vocals as opposed to uptempo, full-band rockers. I listened to this a bit on my vacAtion not too long ago and it made for greAt road music.
- Avi Roig