Danish act Superheroes have decided to call it a day after 10 years and three albums. members Thomas Troelsen, Asger Tarpgaard and Tanja Simonsen already have a new band called m" target=_blank>Private and are working on their debut album, due out spring 2007.

The video for the latest Hell On Wheels single "Come on" is now online: myspace.com/hellonwheelss" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/hellonwheelss

Biker Boy
You got me wrong
Hybris

Ah yes, the Biker Boy EP. Peter Lundbergh devliers to his public four stellar tracks of electronic pop music. Akin to the Pet Shop Boys and The Smiths, Lundbergh's music possesses lighthearted playful melodies and danceable instrumentation with the vocal delivery combination of a morrissey croon and the spoken aspect of Nick Cave, albeit in a slightly more pained aspect. While the four remixes of "You got me wrong" may seem a bit much, especially listened to in succession, each on their own is a standout track and a great bonus to those who purchase the disc.
- Matt Giordano

David & The Citizens
Stop the tape! Stop the tape!
Bad Taste Records

After three years, David & The Citizens have actually delivered a record with exactly what they promised. most groups talk about how their sound has either expanded or altered, but few times (especially in the past ten or fifteen years) has the resulting material been so accurate in description. I must admit, however, that I was a bit skeptical when they had said they were going to make a more "rocking" album, but then I realised that "Big chill" was an amazing song and that going in that direction would not be a bad thing at all. "Stop the tape! Stop the tape!" sees the production values, especially when dealing with the low-end, bumped up with a bit more confidence and thump. The rhythm section is powerful in its delivery and aids the listeners' head to nod throughout the release (most notably on "A heart & a hand & a love for a band", "Oblivion" and the first single "Are you in my blood?"). The extended mix of "48h" is, to me, flawless in songcraft, and one of the top on the record along with "What if nobody would catch us?". David & the Citizens have delivered what everyone had hoped for: a band realising their potential, acting upon it - and succeeding.
- Matt Giordano

Iisole
They call me Tjuchna
Jezebel Recordings

Here is a band with a classic Touch & Go sound, but also a melodic sensibility that totally different than anything T&G had on their roster. Iisole have a weird and different way of approaching progressions and vocal arrangements that make something old new again. Seriously, one second they sound like Yow-less Jesus Lizard and the next the majestic beauty of Do make Say Think. They combine those two elements with such grace and ease, always with the vocal arrangements making the bridge and making sense of all this. This is a pretty good record.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Kalle J
Om du lyssnar noga
Hybris

Everytime I hear a new record released by Hyrbis, it gets me thinking that not only is Hybris one of the most ambitious pop labels on the planet right now, but also one of the best. Kalle J's full-length exudes masterful pop songwriting and tight song structures. Standout tracks include "Akademisk", "B.G.I.T." and "Burt Ward"; however, it'd be hard to claim one track to be the best, as the album is solid the whole way through. The songs have enough tempo to become hits in all of the discotheques, if not just in Sweden, but all the world over. I'm guessing that Nick, Jason and the IAT! DJs have been playing these tracks at Tack! Tack! Tack! and other festivals, but it is about time for other purveyors of electronic pop to take notice.
- Matt Giordano

Knife and Ape
Hex
Deleted Art

This is completely and utterly everything and nothing at the same time. much in the vein of the dance/noise/rock/everything and the kitchen sink of the Liars, PaperRad and other of their ilk, Knife and Ape just are equal part Nintendo music, rock, disco and post-punk. The vocals are much in the post-punk tradition and actually bring a certain cohesiveness to the whole thing, whatever that cohesiveness might be. Despite the fact that I seem lukewarm to the idea, this is highly enjoyable and I like it a lot. I can tell you that I like it a lot more than PaperRad and the Liars, which might not be saying much but certainly would be a vote of confidence in certain circles. It doesn't make any sense but when listening this on a strictly visceral level, it is pretty freaking great.
- Simon Thibaudeau

MZ.412
Infernal affairs
Cold Meat Industry

I haven't heard anything from mZ.412 in quite a little while, since the last Cold meat Industry release I believe, and it appears that scaring the shit out of the listener is still a priority. If any thing, this is a lot more palatable than previous releases where the music was a lot more minimal and much darker. In fact, this sounds a lot more than label-mates Puissance, in the martial-rhythms and Neoclassical tendencies that they display. All of that was always a part of mZ.412's sounds, but now it takes much more of a central place in the music. mZ.412 has always been one of the most violent bands I listened to, although not violent in a traditional sense, but this time the violence has been replaced with a dark will to disturb. I am not sure I like this more than the old material, but it certainly is interesting.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Oceano da Cruz
Rocksploitation/No more oceanomania
Morningside Records

I always enjoy to some extent getting new music I am unfamiliar with and it can end up in one of three ways: good, mediocre or bad. Unfortunately, the new Oceano da Cruz album falls into the latter category. And why is it unfortunate one may ask? Well, it's because evoking the emotion of indifference is one of the most frustrating, and it's hard to gauge what to do to different the next time; also, it's an emotion that is without passion. Whilst I cannot deny that the musicianship is excellent, the genre it falls into (novelty music) has just been done better before (see: They might Be Giants, Ween, Nerf Herder); and at twenty-one tracks, it's quite a long record, and tough to get straight through. However, whenver a song would come on random it would sound better, so I have taken the view of this as more of a "singles" (used loosely) collection and would advise you to listen to a track sporadically. You'll find it much more enjoyable.
- Matt Giordano

Out of Clouds
Into your lovely summer
self-released

more breezy, melodic pop rock from Sweden... how do they keep churning this stuff out so effortlessly over there? Out of Clouds is a six-piece ensemble from Gothenburg and this, their second EP, is a charming little thing. What you get here is four tracks of sweet, summery rock distinguished by strong melodies and the high, plaintive vocals of Joel Goranson, who reminds a bit of American singer David mead (especially when he goes for the falsetto). "Like a lily", which has already gotten some attention on these shores, balances its airy vocals with a fairly vigorous rhythmic attack, while the evocatively named "Revelations in a cold season" offers clean, pretty guitar lines and a pleasing string arrangement. Lyrically, matters tend to be a little saccharine, as on the reasonably rockin' tune "Untroubled mind", where Joel tells us: "I had this feeling, I feel fine/I wanna spend my days in sunshine/I shouldn't worry cause I am/Under protection of the greatest love/I feel like dancing..." There are sweet harmonies adorning the tune, but everything tends to be pretty much on the surface. On the slightly more melancholy "He's in control", the arrangement has a bit of a '60s vibe, and the vocals reel you in, but the tune seems to be some kinda religious ode, which leaves me unsettled. It's too early to make a real prediction for Out of Clouds, but they definitely have an ear for melody and pop-rockin' freshness. Just watch it on the syrup, boys, 'cause many a band has gotten creatively stuck when they poured it on too thick.
- Kevin Renick

Papercut
Demo
self-released

Papercut is Erik Berglund and Ulrica Brunner, two beautiful young people who apparently grew tall on milk, cupcakes and synthpop. At the tender age of 9, Ulrica bought her first CD, "Dance vol. 1", and apparently it's been a strong influence ever since. A keyboardist in Firefox AK, her new collaboration with Erik has resulted in some simple electro-pop with vocals eerily reminiscent of St Etienne. This three-song demo includes the atmospheric "Time" and the more poppy "Adrian", both of which are ripe for remix to become club anthems. Until then, the perfect accompaniment to a stroll around Borders.
- Stacey Shackford

Sambassadeur
Coastal affairs
Labrador

Sambassadeur's eponymous debut was one of 2005's best records - lovely lazy jangle pop with just a wee bit of electrobeat that managed to be blissfully gentle without crossing the line into annoyingly twee. This EP picks up right where that one left off, with 4 songs that show the band continuing to do what they do best. It's a must for those who enjoyed the first record, and a good taster for those curious about the band.
- Nancy Baym

Starflower
Moment in the sun
Music Is My Girlfriend

First the bad news about this Finnish quartet -- they only have one song of which 10 variations appear on this record. The good news is that it's a really good song, so even though I keep checking to see if I've inadvertently repeated a number I just heard a few minutes ago, it's nonetheless a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Their sound is (to quote their website) "mellow and cheerful" pop reminiscent of Starlet that foregrounds singer Antti's mediocre yet appropriately earnest vocal delivery and bright guitars. I'll hope for more variety on their next record, but this marks a bright debut from a young band with a lot of promise.
- Nancy Baym

Tar... Feathers
Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface
Release the Bats

I sure do love it when bands make this reviewing racket easier. So let me express my gratitude to the eccentric Swedish band Tar... Feathers for doing virtually everything right to grab one's attention with this bizarrely titled CD "make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface." I hate trying to fit this into a genre, but "stylized art punk" is the general ballpark here, as this very accomplished outfit combines the fluid, disciplined guitar work and tension-laced vocals of multi-talented band leader marcus Nyke with the utterly exemplary rhythm section of morton Billeskalns (drums) and Pal Olovsson Rodenius (bass). Additional programming/drumming is also provided by Simon Stalhamre. The sleeve design itself is colorful and weird, and--bless my soul--a lyric sheet is provided. This is enormously helpful, because Nyke's voice here could be a dealbreaker for some. It's like he sings with clenched fists, in a manner that maxmizes both the tension in the lyrics and the dark emotions (often about social detachment or situational anger) powering many of the compositions. So you tend to feel tense yourself while listening, although the masterful playing acts as a reassuring buffer. "Breathing through a straw" exemplifies the potently effective interaction between the no-nonsense guitar and ace rhythm section; the band establishes a dynamic instrumental core that stays anchored for the entire recording. "Half a sentence" has a gritty energy that straddles the line between "arty" and "punk" with the former winning by a hair, and Nyke's occasional yelps or short shrieks act as a kind of weirdness beacon for the aural traveler. The moody "You are lucky to have nothing" has a captivating instrumental intro and gains from guest vocal harmonies by Anna Tomlin. It's great fun following the lyrics throughout, when they're encased in such willful nonconformity. Sample: "Someone seems to have it all/Someone else tries too hard/Why do some things float?/Why are bunnies hopping?" This may be uneasy listening, but it's truly distinctive. And since on that one and "Tada" Nyke is pretty much playing/programming everything himself, it's hard not to conclude that the guy is probably some sort of wacky genius. At any rate, for consistency of vision and overall sonic excellence, this is one of the best albums on the weirder side of Swedish rock since The State of Floral Beings' last CD. If you can get used to Nyke's edgy vocals, you'll find yourself enjoying one heck of a cool disc.
- Kevin Renick

The Tidy Ups
Dizzy heights
Music Is My Girlfriend

It's got all the trademarks of Swedish twee - horns, girlish vocals that are just a little off, lo-fi production, fast effervescent melodies with a slightly 50s swing beat. It's even got a handclap solo on "Lack of nourishment" (the EP's highlight). It's almost enough to make you jump up and down on the CD in hopes it'll break except for that the songs have enough depth to hold interest over repeated listenings. It's vehemently not for those who don't like twee, but if you're an enthusiast, give it a listen.
- Nancy Baym