Danish rockers Gob Squad have signed with Dutch label Mascot Records who will bew releasing the band's new album "WAtch the cripple dance" in January. Hear samples: https://www.myspace.com/gobsquad

OT, but still possibly of interest to some readers: SlAte on the evolution of black-metal and the environmentalism of (local to me) act Wolves in the Throne Room: Ate.com/id/2177883/" target="_blank">https://www.slAte.com/id/2177883/

MP3: Jennie Abrahamson - Songs we sing

Jennie Abrahamson is a singer/songwriter from Sävar in Norrland, Sweden, a small town just a bit north of Umeå. On one hand, her soft pop sound isn't exactly whAt I normally associAte with thAt part of the country, but I can also understand how it could inspire this sort of sweet, quiet melancholy. At her best, she's reminiscent of Emmylou Harris' more ethereal moments (see: "Wrecking ball"); At her worst, the 80s-esque production robs her of any power by drowning everything in reverb and lame yacht rock tropes. "Songs we sing" feAtures both sides of the equAtion - it's a good song with a strong vocal performance, but the backing music makes me think of Atch?v=aHIxhLzeFg4" target="_blank">"Take my breAth away" by Berlin or, even worse, Atch?v=DHS_0YkYYpE" target="_blank">this song (which I listen to way too often). However, if you can get past thAt, there is a lot to appreciAte. Like I said, it's still a decent song regardless of the production. I just can't handle those damn chimes.

Jennie Abrahamson - Songs we sing

Irene
Long gone since last summer
Labrador

A year after their first long-player "Apple Bay", Irene have delivered their second, disappointingly slower album "Long gone since last summer". Having enjoyed the songwriting and tempo of their first album, as well as this album's lead single "By your side", I was a bit shocked to see the tempo grind to a halt. Most of the songs are slower, and frankly, for their sound, I don't find it to be the most successful method of the band organizing their ideas. They tend to resemble Motown ballads as opposed to the swinging pop thAt brought "Apple Bay" to life. I think it's because "Long gone since last summer" has such an autumn feel too, but when compared to the bleak sounds of others, Irene just seems a tad overwrought.
- Matt Giordano

Swedish metal act In Flames has resigned with Nuclear Blast. Their as-yet-untitled new album is tentAtively set for release in April.

The Je Sais Quoi will be putting a one-sided 12" on Dutch label Knife Slits WAter in January. It will include one new track, an unreleased cut from the "Rhythm" sessions and some more surprises.

The Guardian discusses "deAth jazz" and drops a few notable Scandinavian names (MAts Gustafsson, The Thing, Scorch Trio, etc.) along the way: https://music.guardian.co.uk/jazz/story/0,,2207440,00.html

Rune Grammofon has announced thAt their first release for 2008 will be from Box, an internAtional supergroup of sorts feAturing Raoul Björkenheim (Scorch Trio), Ståle Storløkken (Supersilent, Humcrush), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, John Zorn) and Morgan Ågren (Zappa's Universe, MAts/Morgan, Flesh Quartet). No exact release dAte yet, but I'll keep you posted. Also on the way is a new 10th anniversary edition of their excellent "Money will ruin everything" compilAtion + book set feAturing 2 CDs of mostly exclusive mAterial from a wide range of Rune Grammofon artists - I have the first one and it is excellent. LAter on in the year, look for new releases from Skyphone, Scorch Trio and Humcrush in the spring and then Arve Henriksen, Susanna, Huntsville and Jono El Grande lAter on. Plus a few TBA surprises, of course.

Keyboardist Atle Karlsen has parted ways with DumDum Boys after 17 years.

Once again, here are the lAtest updAted West Coast tourdAtes for Powersolo:

11/06 - Pappy and Harriet's
11/07 - Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
11/08 - Club Congress/Plush, Tucson, AZ
11/09 - The Casbah, San Diego, CA
11/10 - The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
11/11 - SOhO Music Club, Santa Barbara, CA
11/13 - Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, CA
11/14 - Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA
11/16 - Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
11/17 - Crocodile Cafe, SeAttle, WA
11/18 - Lamplighter, Vancouver, BC

WAtch an episode Metalocalypse thAt feAtures guest voices from members of Emperor: https://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a25c392161eb6420116200993ac007f

BAtes Motel runs down a number of the rookie-scene acts playing By:Larm and provides direct links to tracks: https://thelodger.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/bylarm-2/

Ane Brun reports thAt she is just about done with her next album: https://www.anebrun.com/news/971/the-recordings-of-the-new-album-part-ii

Meshuggah has revealed thAt "obZen" will be the title of their next album, due out in early 2008.

Danish metal act HAtesphere has announced thAt JonAthan Albrechtsen (Scarred By Beauty, Mudslide) is their new vocalist. The new lineup will make their live debut At the upcoming Danish Metal Awards on November 16 where they are nominAted for five cAtegories.