Jessica Hopper profiles Frida Hyvönen for The Chicago Reader: m/features/stories/musicreviews/061117/" target=_blank>https://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/musicreviews/061117/
Also see her comments regarding Pfork's review here: mics.org/archives/008641.html" target=_blank>https://tiny.abstractdynamics.org/archives/008641.html
Personally, I just don't find her music to be very interesting at all.

Digitalmetal reviews "Between two worlds", the debut album from I - Abbath's (ex-Immortal) new band: metal.com/reviews.asp?cid=7846" target=_blank>https://www.digitalmetal.com/reviews.asp?cid=7846

Pitchfork reviews Under Byen: media.com/article/record_review/39620/Under_Byen_Samme_Stof_Som_Stof" target=_blank>https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/39620/Under_Byen_Samme_Stof_Som_Stof

MP3: Randy - You are what you fight for

It's Friday again and I'm feeling overworked, so Simon Tagestam gets this week's classic post:

The infectious poppy punk stuff that Randy played on their first couple of EPs was what made me love this Swedish band in the first place, but their angry and political lyrics helped to cement my total devotion to them. "You are what you fight for" is from Randy's third album "You can't keep a good band down" that was released in 1998 and probably my favourite album of that year. Stefan Granberg might not have perfected his American accent at this stage (and he might not have done so as of yet), but I don't care since I'm a very strong advocate that this is nothing that really matters - foreign accents in music are charming and should never be frowned upon! The lyrics to this song always make me want to shape up and fully embrace my half-forgotten pseudo-ideals, perhaps after another 1,000 listens this will finally happen. Here we go...

Randy - You are what you fight for

MP3: Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem

Continuing on in the same vein as m/index.php?story_id=1110">monday's Asha Ali post, here's another female-fronted act very much in the classic Swedish indie tradition. 'Cept that Don't Be A Stranger actually features ex-Honey Is Cool members so the comparisons are less surprising. Very melodic with a slightly eccentric bent and a touch of darkness around the edges, DBAS is a band to watch. The only problem with their debut EP "Ho ho"? It's too damn short. Read more about the band m/2006/10/interview-dont-be-stranger.html" target=_blank>in this interview at Absolut Noise.

Don't Be A Stranger - Perfect problem

Stylus recommends Hello Saferide: magazine.com/reviews/hello-saferide/introducing-would-you-let-me-play-this-ep-10-times-a-day.htm" target=_blank>https://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/hello-saferide/introducing-would-you-let-me-play-this-ep-10-times-a-day.htm
For all your Hello Saferide shopping needs, m/store.php?search=Hello%20Saferide">click here. For a report on her show in Glasgow last night, check this out: myspace.com/soundsofsweden" target=_blank>https://blog.myspace.com/soundsofsweden

Norwegian rockers WE will begin recording a new album at Hangaroundsounds in Oslo on January 2. The band has about 30 new songs written and will be testing out a few on their upcoming tour supporting motörhead.

Trust No One and Riptide/Pleasure Syndicate are teaming up to release Switchblade's latest self-titled album on vinyl. No word on an exact release date yet, but it will include slightly different artwork in a gatefold format and there will probably be clear, clear with smoke and black vinyl.

Rotten Sound has announced a crapload of dates for next spring, including a full European tour with Nightrage and malevolent Creation: ml" target=_blank>https://rottensound.wotanworks.net/live.html

Swedish EBm duo Spetsnaz have called it a day. Read the statement from their label (assuming you can read German): m" target=_blank>https://outofline.de/content/news.htm

Lobotom has posted previews for all the tracks on the new Saralunden album "Sweet sweet sweet the beat": mrecords.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=84" target=_blank>https://lobotomrecords.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=84
It comes out December 13.

Kasual Records reports that the new Jettie album is done and sent for mastering. Expect an early 2007 release.

The new Sibiria single "Det har varit svårare" is up on myspace: myspace.com/sibiria" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/sibiria

Straight Edge Terror Force strikes in Umeå: https://www.thelocal.se/5530/
The band is actually supposed to be Final Exit, the group that David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén were in before founding Refused.

Brooklyn Vegan on Britta Persson: m/archives/2006/11/britta_persson.html" target=_blank>https://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2006/11/britta_persson.html