The music for Listeners special program with Jens Lekman from last week is now available for on-demand listening: musicforlisteners.com/" target=_blank>https://www.musicforlisteners.com/
Not only does it feature a few exclusive live tracks, but it also includes a number of Jens' hand-picked song selections.

Violent Divine has posted the single "Rush you" as a free download: mp3Giveaway.html" target=_blank>https://www.violentdivine.se/ViolentDivineFreemp3Giveaway.html

MP3: The Concretes - Grey days

Early consensus on the new Concretes album "In colour" seems to be as follows: if you liked the first album, you probably won't like the new one as much, but if you didn't like it, you'll think the new one is better. I think both responses are for the same reason, too. The naive, childlike qualities that endeared fans of twee music to the debut are largely absent from the follow-up and for people like me who tend to associate those qualities with an inate inability to perform (or, in other words: sucking), the new record is a step in the right direction. "In colour" is much more confident, more produced. I'm still not close to falling in love with the band, but I see it as a huge improvement. more importantly, they let maria Eriksson sing lead on a song instead of regular frontwoman Victoria Bergman. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot hang with Victoria's droll, nasal voice. maria however, sings beautifully - something she proved long ago with her work in Heikki. Today's mp3 is the song she sings lead on: "Grey days". That's my pick for the album's highlight.

The Concretes - Grey days

MP3: The Fine Arts Showcase - Brother in black

It took a lot longer than I expected to figure out what song I wanted to post from "Radiola", the new album from The Fine Arts Showcase. The trouble is that I have a hard time breaking up what I consider to be such a strong, cohesive piece of work. When all the songs work in concert to create something greater, it's impossible to pull one aside and say that is the essence, the epitome of what this record is about. It can't be done, but I still hold out hope that you find today's mp3 post to be enlightening. "Radiola" is not only better than the debut album "The electric pavilion", but also one of the best new releases I've heard so far in 2006. TFAS mainman and singer/songwriter Gustaf Kjellvander burns with passion and vigor. There's a level of intensity to his performance and craft that's rarely heard. And speaking of rarely heard, "Radiola" has to have the most drug references on a Swedish pop record outside of the stereotypical rock'n'roll/gangsta clichés. Is everything okay Gustaf?

The Fine Arts Showcase - Brother in black

It took a lot longer than I expected to figure out what song I wanted to post from "Radiola", the new album from The Fine Arts Showcase. The trouble is that I have a hard time breaking up what I consider to be such a strong, cohesive piece of work. When all the songs work in concert to create something greater, it's impossible to pull one aside and say that is the essence, the epitome of what this record is about. It can't be done, but I still hold out hope that you find today's mp3 post to be enlightening. "Radiola" is not only better than the debut album "The electric pavilion", but also one of the best new releases I've heard so far in 2006. TFAS mainman and singer/songwriter Gustaf Kjellvander burns with passion and vigor. There's a level of intensity to his performance and craft that's rarely heard. And speaking of rarely heard, "Radiola" has to have the most drug references on a Swedish pop record outside of the stereotypical rock'n'roll/gangsta clichés. Is everything okay Gustaf?

Don't forget to enter the m/" target=_blank>Spring Wonderland Festival ticket giveaway. Click the banner on the right!

Pre-sale tickets for next week's myspace.com/tacktacktack" target=_blank>TTT! show in London with The Embassy are now sold out! However, all is not lost! There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door for you losers who don't plan ahead. Also note that some of the acts for the next two month's are now listed on the right. Pre-sale tickets for both will be available on Friday.

The people at AddVice are promoting a number of Scandinavian acts appearing at this year's SXSW and have posted a streaming music player giving you a taste of a number of the acts: marketing.com/nordic_player/" target=_blank>https://www.addvicemarketing.com/nordic_player/

Finnish pop act The Phonies, the new(ish) band featuring Stenman and Lehtomaa from The Refreshments, have posted two new songs on myspace: myspace.com/thephonies" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/thephonies
The new album "Gran tourettes" comes out march 30.

Check out the video for "Show me your plans" from Unarmed Enemies: m/UE/Showmeyourplans.mov" target=_blank>https://www.songsiwish.com/UE/Showmeyourplans.mov
There will be a video/CDR release party on march 11 at Rival in Stockholm.

The End Records has signed legendary Swedish black-metal act Dissection for North America. The band's new album "Reinkaos" will be released on may 16 over here and April 30 in Europe through the band's own label Black Horizon Records.

Satanic Surfers are touring Canada in may with mad Caddies, Subb and The Loved Ones:

05/06 - Seylynn Hall, Vancouver, BC
05/09 - Starlite Theatre, Edmonton, AB
05/10 - University Of Calgary, Calgary, AB
05/11 - The Distrikt, Regina, SK
05/12 - The Venue, Winnipeg, mB
05/15 - Call The Office, London, ON
05/16 - The Underground, Hamilton, ON
05/17 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
05/18 - Surface, Ottawa, ON
05/19 - Anti Hall, Quebec City
05/20 - Le Spectrum, montreal, QC

Check out the video for "Devil when you cry" by Gustav and the Seasick Sailors: m/media/videodevil.htm" target=_blank>https://www.gatss.com/media/videodevil.htm

Swedish experimental label Kning Disc in association with Håll Tjäften have announced the release of "ARGH!", a new disc of collaborations between pioneering artists Folke Rabe and Jan Bark. Samples and more info: m/02_releases_kd006.asp?id=23" target=_blank>https://kningdisk.com/02_releases_kd006.asp?id=23

Swedish hip-hop label JuJu has announced that Helt Off's second album "Helt Off I Huset" will be out in may. Also on the way is a new four-track EP from Spotrunnaz featuring all new material and guest appearances from J-Ro, Timbuktu, masayah and michael Knight and production from Breakmecanix. JuJu is also working on breaking acts in the US and will release Chords' album "The garden around the mansion" over here in may. For more info on JuJu-related activities, go here: m/news.php?id=72" target=_blank>https://www.jujurecords.com/news.php?id=72