Popmatters reviews the new Choir of Young Believers album "Rhine gold": matters.com/pm/review/156133-choir-of-young-believers-rhine-gold/" target="_blank">https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/156133-choir-of-young-believers-rhine-gold/
PSL has the premiere of Summer Heart's debut video "A million times": miar-summer-heart-a-million-times/" target="_blank">https://blogg.svt.se/psl/2012/03/23/premiar-summer-heart-a-million-times/
CasablancaI'm not a big fan of supergroups; throwing a bunch of celebrities in a room usually results in extreme hype and ambiguous substance. Half-formulated or compromising in studio = lacklustre songs. Such is not necessarily the case with latest addition Casablanca, featuring Alice Cooper's guitarist Ryan Roxie, Erik Stenemo from melody Club, Swedish football star mat Rubarth, Josephine Forsman from Sahara Hotnights on drums, and Anders Ljung from Space Age Baby Jane on vocals. It's the kinda Guns'n'Roses-cum-Journey revival Swedes adore, thrown in a typical 80's epic love battle between hair product and tight jeans brand. The album art directly mimics The Warriors, in that New York 80's spray-painted "Apocalyptic Youth" type. The music's less raw then Alice Cooper or Thin Lizzy that's for sure, and a bit more predictable like Whitesnake or Rod Stewart. If you're into that sort of thing, it'll probably get yr head nodding. The title track's got a formulaic radio rock feel, while fast-paced next track and sugary chorus-friendly "Downtown" echoes a path the Hotnights were once on. The album's production hums big, fat and Eighties, and Josephine's solid, tasteful rock drumming shines brightly, serving as a strong backbone. They definitely show some experienced songwriting; "The juggler" is a smart, feel-good tune. But in general, the cheesy bandana-riffing and melodramatically sung verses such as on "Love and desperation" are a bit overly harry for me. I mean it kicks off with, "HUSH, NOW, THUNDERCHILD", and by track 9, "Last of the Rockstars", I'm experiencing déjà vu. Get the picture? But hey, I ain't gunna rag on something some people, especially in the backwoods country, might clearly enjoy.
- Ann Sung-an Lee
New sounds from Norway's The Samuel Jackson Five featuring guest vox from Thomas Bratlie of Rumble in Rhodos and clarinet action from Jørgen Sissyfus Skjulstad (Center of the Universe). RIYL Scraps of Tape.
Hebosagil's latest 7" "Herätys", now streaming in full via SoundCloud. Essential listening.
Swedish artist Erik de Vahl will have a new 8-song limited CDR/digital download release out on on march 26. Full details: m/" target="_blank">https://www.erikdevahl.com/
"Left from the fire" is the first single from Danish artist Echo me's upcoming self-titled debut album, due out April 23 via .
So, uh, apparently long-running Finnish hardcore act Terveet Kädet has a new live album out called "UGH!!! Terveet Kädet elävänä" which is half electric/half acoustic. Which also probably means it's only half-listenable, but who knows? I am definitely curious.
has announced the signing of malmö-based experimental/psych act VED and will be releasing their new self-titled album on may 2. Download a sample tune: m/02.Sture_External.mp3" target="_blank">https://www.adrianfiles.com/02.Sture_External.mp3
There's a lot to like about Kari Harneshaug, but I especially love the long, slow burn of a song like "Capturing the moments of youth". It takes awhile to get going, but that's exactly the point -- the payoff wouldn't be nearly as good if the lead-up wasn't so drawn out. Also: excellent use of the guitar/drums/vocals trio format. It actually took me a few listens before I noticed the lack of bass (that, or maybe I've been living in Olympia too long). Not that band suffers for it, in fact, I'd say the extra spaciousness afforded by the lack of low-end allows for far more creative opportunities. They rise to the occasion quite nicely.
Look for Hypertext to release the new single "Walken" on march 30 along with a new live video showcasing the band playing their four newest singles.
I guess if there can be a Swedish rapper named Kapten Röd, there can be a similarly-named titian act called Ginger Kings. Download the duo's new EP "G.K. all day" here: mos.com/" target="_blank">https://www.lotechcosmos.com/
Swedish music blog PSL has started a new series called "Sinding Sessions" where they take an artist into a studio to record four or five new songs and maybe chat a little in between. First up, Anna Ternheim with the song "Bow your head": https://blogg.svt.se/psl/2012/03/21/extra-extra-tjuvkika-pa-sinding-sessions/
Look for future episodes to feature artists such as Newkid, Adam Kanyama and Niki & The Dove. Read more about the project mmen-till-sinding-sessions/" target="_blank">here (in Swedish).
Haleiwa doing some heavy jamming with pals down in Cuba. This was a rehearsal for a session to record 3 songs a month later.
Why can't every teaser/trailer be this great? Anyhow, Swedish hard-rockers The Gloria Story are now officially signed with who will be releasing the band's new Anders "Boba Fett" Lindström-produced EP "Out of the shade" on may 25.