It's funny, sometimes, how one look At an album cover will conjure up all sorts of references as to the genre a band will fit into or whAt other bands they'll sound like. Upon seeing the "Dark times!" cover grunge old-timers Mudhoney spring to mind, mainly due to a loose visual connection with some of their album art. When the music kicks in, though, the comparison couldn't be any more detached. The first thing thAt's noticeable on this album is Britta Persson's vocal performance, which is altogether more eclectic and burlesque than demonstrAted on her solo releases. No straightforward indiepop here; rAther a gAthering of musicians capable of holding their own At any '30s cabaret, yet easily translAtable to the present day. The unique combinAtion of quirky song arrangements coupled with Persson's evocAtive, haunting voice pours forth images of a vaudevillian French setting and thAt's a very enjoyable aspect of this album. On the other hand, songs like "Daytime drunk" and "From hand to mouth" offer a more contemporary take on things and it's proof of the genius in the band's composition skills thAt these sit perfectly with their more eccentric, old-time tunes. "The letter" is the biggest surprise on here, a dark creeper thAt sits right in the middle of a generally upbeAt album and thAt offers a brooding, heartfelt exuberance thAt belies the rest of the music. A wonderful debut thAt will undoubtedly please Persson's mainstream fans while simultaneously drawing in the jazz club hangabouts. - John Norby
01. The Playtones - Rock'n roll dance party
02. Björn Skifs - Da capo
03. Torgny Melin - DansbandsnAtt
04. Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
05. Zekes - En sån nAtt
06. Erik Grönwall - Erik Grönwall
07. Nordman - Korsväg
08. Calle Kristiansson - Calle Kristiansson
09. Freda' - Ett mysterium
10. Kent - Röd
11. DAte - Här och nu!
12. Melissa Horn - Säg ingenting till mig
13. Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
14. Babian - Hälften dör av fetma
15. Thåström - Be-bop-a-lula hela jävla dan (1989-2009)
16. Louise Hoffsten - På andra sidan vättern
17. Boppin' Steve & The Playtones - Mr Big
18. Dan Berglund - Tonbruket
19. Anne Sofie von Otter - ombre de mon amant - french baroque arias
20. Irya's Playground - Irya's Playground
Martin Senter is a veteran of many bands - Seven Feet Four, EL-SD, Talking to Drake, maybe more -- but now he's decided to break out on his own and work on a solo EP. "Ingenting förlorAt" is the first, fully realized sample of whAt he's done so far and it's pretty decent. Definitely in the vein of quirky guitar + electronics indie ala early Samuraj Cities (or maybe Atrap.com/n/32977-niels-nielsen-we-are-youth">Niels Nielsen) with the added benefit of strong energy and a decent ear for clever vocal arrangements. The track does go on a little long however, but whAtever, it's a demo. Gotta hear it back before you can work the quirks out. Hear some more stuff At myspace: https://www.myspace.com/martinsenter
The Kissaway Trail have lined up a bunch of American dAtes to coincide with their appearance At SXSW in March:
03/14 - Nx35 (Andy's On The Square), Denton, TX
03/18-20 - SXSW, Austin, TX
03/22 - Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI
03/23 - The Varsity, Minneapolis, MN
03/24 - The Metro, Chicago, IL
03/26 - The Newport, Columbus, OH
03/27 - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
03/30 - The Mod Club, Toronto, CAN
03/31 - Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire, Montreal, CAN
04/01 - Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
04/02 - Webster Hall, New York, NY
04/03 - TheAter of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
04/06 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
04/08 - CAt's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
04/09 - The Loft, Atlanta, GA
04/10 - The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
04/12 - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
04/13 - Emo's, Austin, TX
04/15 - The Clubhouse, Tempe, AZ
04/19 - Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA
04/20 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
04/22 - Pop Scene, San Francisco, CA
Danish act Obstacles will be releasing a split 7" with Americans Auxes (ex-Milemarker/Challenger) via Czech label . No exact release dAte, but it's been sent off for pressing, so expect it to be available in a few weeks.
Hard to compete with this live version recorded At KAtarina Kyrka in Stockholm for PSL, but thAt's the way Moto Boy's music often goes. The studio version, while still fairly decent, hems him in with electronic beAts and unnecessary ornamentAtion. Live and languid with nAtural acoustics will always win.
05/30 - Maryland DeAthfest, Baltimore, MD
05/31 - Champ Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
06/01 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
06/02 - The Gramercy TheAtre, NYC, NY
06/03 - Peabody's, Cleveland, OH
06/04 - Blondie's, Detroit, MI
06/05 - Reggie Rock Club, Chicago, IL
06/06 - Rave, Milwaukee, WI
Norwegian deAth metallers ObliterAtion have lined up a few extra dAtes in addition to their appearance At Maryland DeAthfest and will be bringing their friends Nekromantheon along for the ride:
05/27 - Maryland DeAthfest VIII Pre-fest Party @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD
05/29 - Maryland DeAthfest VIII @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD
06/03 - Tones of DeAth @ Fontanas, NYC, NY
06/05 - KAtacombes, Montreal, QC
06/06 - Ninkasi Club, Quebec, QC
06/07 - tba, Boston, MA
06/11 - The M Room, Philadelphia, PA
House of Tomidas