Part two of Pitchfork writer Nick Sylvester's incredibly naive look at the Norwegian music scene: media.com/features/weekly/05-10-10-big-outside-of-norway2.shtml" target=_blank>https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/features/weekly/05-10-10-big-outside-of-norway2.shtml
For those interested, here's a yousendit file that he put together with all of the tracks for your perusal: m/d.aspx?id=1HF5AC81O38KE37ZWOK4K86IB3" target=_blank>https://s30.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1HF5AC81O38KE37ZWOK4K86IB3

In Flames has reportedly signed with Ferret Records in the US. The already-completed new album "Come clarity" will be released on February 7 in the US, February 6 in Europe via Nuclear Blast.

Adjagas will release their debut self-titled album on November 21 via Trust me Records. The record was produced by Andreas mjøs (Jaga Jazzist) and engineered by Lars Lien (motorpsycho).

Bob Hund/Bergman Rock sideproject Sci-Fi Skane will release their debut album "Känslan av att jorden krymper växer" on November 16 via Silence.

Swedish hardcore act misconduct has posted two new songs on their myspace page: myspace.com/misconduct" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/misconduct

Check out the video for "Easy tune" from The Sorayas: m.bredband.net/sorayas/" target=_blank>https://hem.bredband.net/sorayas/
The band's new EP "Hours to days" comes out on October 26 via But is it Art?

The Onion AV Club reviews the Acid House Kings: m/content/node/41526" target=_blank>https://avclub.com/content/node/41526

Salon has posted an audio profile on José González: m/ent/audiofile/index.html?item=/ent/audiofile/2005/10/12/gonzalez/index.html" target=_blank>https://www.salon.com/ent/audiofile/index.html?item=/ent/audiofile/2005/10/12/gonzalez/index.html
On a side-note, any hype you see about his so-called debut US performances in NYC later this month are a bit of a white lie. José played a private gig in LA a few years ago at the Swedish Consulate.

I don't normally post tourdates for bands playing shows within Scandinavia, but the pairing of Randy and Johndoe is too good to pass on. Dates:

10/19 - Garage, Oslo
10/20 - Byscenen, Haugesund
10/21 - Kvarteret, Bergen
10/22 - Coffee Annan, Isak, Trondheim
10/22 - Blæst, Trondheim

The website for this year's Umeå Punkfest is now online: meahardcore.org/" target=_blank>https://punkfest.umeahardcore.org/
Lots of great bands playing this year, so be sure to check it out.

Sindrome, the new band from Ulver mainman Kristoffer G. Rygg (aka Garm) and Daniel Cardoso (ex-Sirius), is now to be known as Head Control System. Listen to four full tracks on their myspace page: myspace.com/spiralsektor" target=_blank>https://www.myspace.com/spiralsektor

MP3: Mew - Why are you looking grave?

Today's mp3 comes from mew, the latest act hyped for international success out of Denmark. Simon Thibaudeau found the helium-infused vocals to be too much of a Flaming Lips rip in m/index.php?article=105">his review, but I prefer to liken the band to other intelligent rock acts such as mid-period Radiohead or maybe heavier acts such as Tool and Dredg. I'm not saying they all sound alike, but rather that they share many similar characteristics such as uneven time signatures and polyrhythms and the tendency towards cinematic soundscapes. mew doesn't get all that heavy outside of the bombastic intro track on the new album "And the glass handed kites" and because of that, I think they could appeal to listeners on both sides of the fence. It's as epic as any power-metal, but with more of a feminine touch. I'm not really a fan of Dinosaur Jr. (indierock heresy, yes I know), but the guest vocals on this track from J. mascis are superb in context. His gravelly delivery is a perfect counterpoint to Jonas Bjerre's light and airy voice.

Mew - Why are you looking grave?

Folie
Eyepennies
Mitek

Here is a record that you should be hearing in you favorite hip lounge with all you BCBG friend for a $12 martini after a long work week. A few years ago, this was all over the place with St-Germain and Plaid in every laid-back bar in town, now it might be better used as schmooze music at home. Honestly, Folie are pretty good at this downbeat/house thing and certainly more forward thinking than the aforementioned St-Germain. You won't see me paying $12 for a martini though.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Juni Järvi
Meanwhile
self-released

I don't know anything about Juni Järvi, but I suspect he's heard a bit of Jens Lekman. Not that I mind, Juni Järvi's managed to pen some rather cosy little songs on this cd-r release. I shouldn't write him off as some Lekman copycat though, so let's say he's a mix between Jens Lekman and Adam Green, with a bit of Ballboy thrown in the soup. It also sounds pretty impressive for being a cd-r release, with all sorts of instruments in the mix. I suspect Juni's an Aries, and I think there's great success for him to be had in the future of indiepop.
- Simon Tagestam

The Legends
Public radio
Labrador

The greatest criticism one could level at The Legends debut album "Up against The Legends" was that it lacked variation. Whilst, it was undoubtedly one of the finest indie-pop albums released in 2003, most of the songs had a very similar structure. However, bar "Something good" (which wouldn't be out of place on "Up against The Legends"), this is no longer the case on "Public radio". The band's reference points are still firmly set in the 80s but they have now increased their palette. We're talking classic bands like Joy Division, New Order and The Cure. It is a known well-known fact that The Legends aren't ashamed of wearing their influences on their sleeves, and rightly so. The Legends are able to ape them in a way which is indistinguishable from the recordings of their heroes, albeit with a slightly more crisp production. If the Rolling Stones could sell rock and roll back to America, then surely The Legends have a chance selling indie-pop back to the UK?
- Nick Levine