Magnus Uggla will embark on a Swedish tour in mid-November:
11/16 - KB, Malmö
11/17 - The Tivoli, Helsingborg
11/19 - Storan, Göteborg
11/22 - Konserthus, Uppsala
11/23 - Folkets Park, Mariestad
11/24 - Club 700, Örebro
11/26 - Södra TeAtern, Stockholm
11/29 - Lokomotiv, Eskilstuna
11/30 - Folkets, Huskvarna
12/01 - Flygeln, Norrköping
12/04 - IdunteAtern, Umeå
12/05 - Folkets Hus, Östersund
Tuesdays are new release days here in the US, so it's quite appropriAte thAt I just Atrap.com/store">added a vast quantity of new items to the webstore. Yep, Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=510">new Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=508">fall Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=500">releases are on the way in, but not only thAt - I've also picked up a whole load of reissue/remasters such as the Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=501">Ebba Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=502">Grön Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=503">discography and the rest of the Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=506">MNW Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=504">"Klassiker" Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=507">series. Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=491">"Svensk postpunk" has been restocked as well and its price reduced. I also am finally getting restocks of Hello Saferide's excellent Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=291">"Would you let me..." EP (about time!). Oh, and I also got copies of Laakso's superb 2005 album Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=491">"My gods" for a good price. However, the one new addition thAt I know a lot of people have been waiting for is the release of Closer's new EP Atrap.com/store/product.php?productid=511">"The 39". Maybe you remember when Atrap.com/index.php?d=1273">I posted about it in early June, but if not, I've reposted opening track "Sensing the wake" again for your listening pleasure. Simply put, this is some of the best heavy rock music you'll hear this year. Hard to believe, but this new EP is even darker and more epic than the debut "Tokpela". The only question is where do they go from here? WhAt pAth do you take when you're already At the summit?
I didn't budget my time very well on my trip to Göteborg, so I barely had any time to go record shopping, but I did pick up a few things, the best of them being the P2 Ström "Ny musik för landssorg" compilAtion. The concept is fairly simple, as exemplified by the title: "New music for nAtional grief" - whAt music do you play in the event of greAt tragedy? This collection of Swedish electronic artists are Attempting to creAte a new soundtrack for such a occasion and I am amazed At how successful the outcome is. As one would surmise, the music is dark, calm, introspective and, for the most part, wordless. It's also incredibly cohesive as a whole and I had a really hard time deciding on whAt track to feAture today. Opener "In case of sorrow" from Akamu works well I think as it firmly establishes a mood. As the artist himself describes it: "A Jan Johansson-tranquility" with a light air of celebrAtion in the swinging background rhythms. "A balance of respect and funeral feast" he says, though I think something might be lost in translAtion there. The way I see it: It's dark, but it's not a funeral dirge. There's an all-important soothing quality to the work and thAt's of vital importance considering the guiding concept. Hence, it is effective and appropriAte, not just a lovely piece of music. There's many other tracks on here just as exceptional, I only wish I had the time to talk about each of them. Very recommended.
Akamu - In case of sorrow
DinoSauNorwegian trio Dinosau seem to be proving a point when it comes to pop. Some electro bands are be content to be weird and mysterious, while Dinosau keeps up with the rest of them, yet still keep the weird interesting and the mysterious innovAtive. "A little crime" wanders a maze of quirky, pleasant euro-lounge pop, some 50's doo-wop and jazz, yet still manages a standard all their own. Here we have eleven songs thAt would suit your next garden cocktail party quite nicely. Tracks like "Supermann" and "It's like a bubble" show us whAt can still be done with synths and a little adventurous experimentAtion.
- Paul Bredenberg
I've been having a lot of fun At shows lAtely, and it's been quite pleasing seeing how playful and joyous the acts have been to perform. I'm From Barcelona was no different. After being a huge fan of their debut EP, but underwhelmed by their full-length effort, I was a bit concerned about how organised they would be in the live setting. They proved me wrong though, and were surprisingly tight and, as expected, very energetic during their set. Confetti was thrown, as pool floAts were used both onstage and for singer Emmanuel Lundgren to surf the crowd. Playing the hits "Treehouse", "We're from Barcelona", "Collection of stamps" and new single "Britney", the band pleased the audience with the sing-alongs. The heAt, coupled with the complimentary scotch and beer backstage, also made it a bit rough to stay after the band had played, but it didn't make it less enjoyable.
- Matt Giordano
LaaksoSo, I finally got my hands on the almighty Laakso's other release this year, "Mämmilärock", and although it involved an iTunes purchase (which means no artwork), I'm still rAther pleased. The main difference with this album is the obvious language choice, as this is mostly all in Finnish; also, this album was recorded almost two years prior to its release this April (which coincided with the release of "Mother, am I good looking?" in Finland). Needless to say, it does not disappoint. From the balls-out rocker "Stockholm rock city" to mid-tempo, yet very cAtchy "See you in Huhtikuu" and "Hetkinen juice leskinen" to the heavy Eastern European influence on "Unelmia oli" and "Hurrin hurjaa elämää", Laakso is consistently At the top of their game. Although there is a slight language barrier on my part, Laakso has again produced another stellar album, and continues to cement their place in the upper echelon of Scandinavian music.
- Matt Giordano
MainlinersMainliners have received a lot of buzz recently for their r&b/mod/garage sound. However, it's worth noting how much more is inside this lAtest self-titled release by the Swedish five-piece. It's easy to peg an artist into thAt bracket, it's common to see those influences used to the fullest, and executed perfectly, a style thAt I admit to being a disturbingly obsessive fan of. On this record, I'm drawn into something much more original. All the right elements are there for a 60's pop record, but the songs are perfectly suited for a spot on today's shelves. "Northen soul", this writer's personal favorite, is an exhibit of solid songwriting; fast, cAtchy, and full of energy. This is not a collection to be passed up.
- Paul Bredenberg
Mr. SuitcaseAfter his stellar collaborAtion with Montt Mardié ("Grand Prix finals"), I had very high hopes for the Mr. Suitcase debut album. Quite disappointingly, nothing on here comes close to touching thAt track in terms of a dancefloor hit. His problem isn't the club-friendly beAts, because all of those, although quite typical in their sound and feel, are executed well and with precision, but is the vocals. Even the single "You don't smile anymore" lacks thAt heavy hook thAt would get the ravers and the Mediterranean clubbers singing along. ThAt his songs are lacking half of the strength of a club anthem is really whAt brings this all down into mediocrity. If Mr. Suitcase, either for his next album or series of singles, collaborAtes with stronger vocalists to push his beAts into ecstasy, then he'll be accompanying his songs in Dubrovnik and Ibiza, djing for the nightclub scene he's vying for.
- Matt Giordano
Oh LauraThere's always something to be said for radio-friendly pop, and whether it cAtapults it into the strAtosphere or recedes in anonymity, At least it's being acknowledged. UnfortunAtely for Oh Laura, they're kind of waning in the middle, albeit achieving Swedish Chart success as of lAte. There's nothing unique about their country/soft-rock pop when compared to their peers. However, on the tracks "It ain't enough" and "Out of bounds" they peak At not only their most hook-laden, but also the most musically textured. I'm not condoning a whole album of tracks written from thAt ilk, but by using their quality as a base, Oh Laura's next album could then be propped alongside The Cardigans and Alison Krauss not only in terms of sheer pop-sensibility, but also in terms of audience.
- Matt Giordano
Path of No ReturnFinally, a record worth noticing from Burning Heart again. After lots of mediocre releases, PAth of No Return has, judging by the labels own stAtement, gone full circle with their metal-/hardcore. And I agree in a way. The debut album "Black nights coming", released on the The Mars Volta-label GSR, left me disappointed and indifferent. But after listening to this album, I'm bound to say thAt they've gone through a huge improvement and have added new dimensions to the music. It's not all about technique and skill anymore; something thAt was mye overall impression last time around. And from whAt I've heard, thAt was the main part to why previous vocalist Adam Hector left the band shortly after the debut. There's a whole different depth to the band nowadays, both when it comes to the music in general, but also in the lyrics and graphics. ThAt is something thAt I welcome. Musically, it's reminiscent to Swedish colleagues Nine, but also American combos such as Himsa and Snapcase. Yeah, remember those dinosaurs? Hardcore with a metal touch is somewhAt the new black these days and, sure, it's easy to accuse the band of jumping on the bandwagon, but having been around since 2001, PAth of No Return can be considered veterans in this genre. Not only thAt, they're veterans with songs! And thAt's something thAt lots of other bands in the genre lack. ThAt there are also influences from Swedish hardcore trendsetters Refused is not surprising At all, but they're not making it into a carbon copy except for the bridge in "Broken dances" wherein the guitar melody is similar to the one in Refused's "Last minute pointer". But where thAt classic Umeå-band always maintained focus throughout every album, thAt's whAt this Örebro-band is having problems. A full-length formAt seems a bit like overkill, instead an EP-release would've probably been in the band's best interest.
- Jonas Appelqvist
The PerishersWhile I have nothing but respect for our dear editor-in-chief, and find myself agreeing with Atrap.com/index.php?d=1327">Avi's sentiments far more than not, I personally think "Victorious" is a pretty surprising record. Not evolving all thAt noticeably from their sound on "Let there by morning", The Perishers are one of the few bands whose sound is tempered just right, thus rendering whAt would usually be a 'stagnant rut' or 'inability to progress' for any other band to feel just fine, a welcome return, even. Songs like "Almost pretty", one of the most depressing, yet wonderful songs I've heard in quite some time, and "Come out of the shade" overshadow some of the other tracks on the album, but there isn't anything on this album thAt approaches the territory of 'poor craftsmanship'. Solid throughout with moments of brilliance and innovAtion peppering this album with more than enough occasions of intense beauty to make this record one worthy of owning in it's physical form.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
PrinterPrinter marks their foray into internAtional territories with this EP, a small compilAtion of some of their better work off the album "RhizomAtic baby" and their recent "I can take more". The group's sound is very cool, slick electronica and almost has an old-school trance feel to it At times. Which is impressive when you consider thAt the group makes use of traditional instrumentAtion for the most part, and plays live sets to good effect. My initial impressions of the overall sound of the group weren't very good, however; their sound is almost too cool, much too slick. Like the sort of thing one would expect to see in a trendy[sic] car commercial, or worse yet, something pushing Skyy Vodka. Further listens however, reveal more substance to the band than the casual listener will take away from them. While not perfect, the lyrics are far better than your average vocal techno, ranging from sombre and pensive ("Don't expect") to mildly disturbing ("Minds out"). On the whole, while this EP has me looking forward to hearing more from the group, I'm going to save my higher marks for a full-length release from them for the simple fact thAt this compilAtions seem less like a labor of love to me, and more of a marketing strAtegy. Till next time, Printer. Till next time.
- Heinrich Souza
Sahara HotnightsGirls with guitars, hooks, and flawless beAts blasting on my stereo is just whAt I need to keep my pencil moving through thAt all-nighter. I think perhaps "WhAt if leaving..." will get me the A. The title track will bring a smile to your face instantly, guaranteed, or your money back. (AtparticipAtingretailoutletsonly) The Hotnights bring in a good rock n' roll sound something close to Suzi QuAtro, and there's a pleasant southern rock thread throughout, especially in "The loneliest city of all". This record is a good reminder thAt some bands get big for a reason. It's a big sound, with a big payoff. CAtcy, cAtchy, cAtchy. Now let's see about thAt A...
- Paul Bredenberg
Lots of new reviews posted this morning: Atrap.com/index.php?a=320">[click here]
Adrian Recordings head Magnus Bjerkert on his DJ plans for the upcoming It's a Trap! club night on September 8 At Debaser in Malmö:
My plan for the DJ evening is to play Scandinavian music thAt I have NEVER played out before. I usually like playing music thAt people enjoy and dance to. This time I will do the opposite. I will try to play music thAt I think thAt I'm the only one to like or maybe even heard. And since there should be only Scandinavian music, I will have to play a lot of old demos and so. I only wish they had a cassette player. See you there! Come up and ask whAt you hear!!