Tag: Mp3s
No doubt you've probably heard the Teddybears single "Cobrastyle" by now. It's exactly the kind of ubiquitous pop hit that ends up on infinite repeat and follows you everywhere you go. Kinda like the Caesars' "Jerk it out" was a few years back, and oh man did they ever play that one to death. It's fitting that both songs are from the same mind, Mr. Jocke Åhlund. Another parallel: both bands' US debuts are not actual albums, but collections of various tracks. Not quite what I'd call 'greatest hits', but along those same lines. It's no surprise then that both suffer the same problem that often plagues such collections - the tracklist has no flow. However, let's be fair: Teddybears' US debut "Soft machine" is probably not intended to be the sort of record you sit down to listen to from beginning to end. It's tailormade for DJ sets and mixtapes. All of the tracks are great individually, but they don't form a cohesive package when thrown together. It's party music. It won't change your life, but it'll get the dancefloor moving. Ain't nothing wrong that as long as you know what you're getting into. Instead of posting something from "Soft machine" I'm going back to 2004's "Fresh". I can see why "Hey boy" was left off the US release - it's just a bit too similar to "Cobrastyle" with its wordless refrains and bouncy beat. That doesn't make it bad, just redundant. Nevermind that both tracks appear on "Fresh". If the rest of the album followed the same formula, I'd be bummed, but when there's two tracks that are both this hot, you'd be hard-pressed to find fault.
Teddybears - Hey boy (ft. Swingfly)
Want more exclusive content? Of course you do. Not only do I have a great interview posted today with Jonas Skybakmoen, the frontman of Norway's Johndoe, I've also got an mp3 of their brand new single "Kjøtere". The track comes from the band's forthcoming third full-length album "Dødvinkel", to be released this fall on the band's own JHND label imprint. As you can see, this is a Norwegian band that sings in their native tongue, but don't let that scare you off. One would hope that you're reading this site because you are openminded about such things. Good upbeat pop music like this has universal appeal, despite the language barrier. Highly recommended, especially if you're at all into bands like Randy, the Buzzcocks or Håkan Hellström. Think punk energy with tons of hooks. I'm really proud of the way our talk turned out, so download the song and get to reading!
Johndoe - Kjøtere
I didn't care much for Isolation Years' second album "It's golden" when it first came out. The lead single "Open those eyes" was a huge departure from the mid-tempo folk/rock sound of "Inland traveller", the debut. Not to mention the increased promenince of religious imagery in the lyrics. Needless to say, I just wasn't having it. Still, I never quite gave up on it. Good thing too, since it's now one of my most favorite albums. I believe I have mentioned the story before a long time ago, but I was on vacation doing a long drive through the woods of Northern California listening to "It's golden" and all of a sudden, it clicked. The scenery, my laid-back frame of mind - whatever it was, it made me reevaluate my entire outlook. Yes, it's still quite different from the debut, but you know what? That's not a bad thing at all. They're both great albums in their own separate ways and I really think that just goes to show how good of a band Isolation Years is. I know it's common for folks to shy away from bands that flirt with notions of 'Christian rock', but listen: you're missing out. And besides, the Bible has been providing fodder for quality songwriting for ages. It's not going to change anytime soon, so stop being so damn afraid of it. I'm no Christian myself, but I know that passionate people make passionate music. I won't lie - a lot, nay the overwhelming majority, of Christian rock sucks. It's watered-down garbage. But most pop music sucks too, come to think of it. Now, I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and start thinking that Isolation Years are purely a Christian rock act. That's wholly unfair and would be totally selling them short. They're about much more than that. It's just that I recently finished reading "Body piercing saved my life" by Andrew Beaujon, an excellent look into the world of modern Christian music and have been thinking a lot about it. It's such a strange segregated society, coexisting almost in parallel to the secular world. What's interesting is when the two meet. But enough of that tangent, listen to this Isolation Years song and enjoy one of my favorite bands and read that book to learn more about the weirdness of Christian underground society.
Isolation Years - Frosted minds
Tobias Fröberg's debut solo album "For Elisabeth wherever she is" never did much for me. It's not that it was outright bad or anything, it just seemed to me that Tobias was doomed to mediocrity. Sweden has a lot of talented singer/songwriters, but there's only a few who are truly exceptional. Well, imagine my surprise then when I heard Ane Brun's excellent "Duets" album. Tobias plays and sings on a good portion of that record, so I knew had to reconsider my earlier evaluation of his work. Coincidentally, he just released his sophomore album "Somewhere in the city" (on Cheap Lullaby in the US, Playground in Scandinavia and Poptones in the UK). My verdict? It's a heckuva lot stronger than his debut, but it's also telling that the best song is borrowed from "Duets" ("Love and misery"). Is it crass of me to think that Poptones boss Alan McGee only wants to cash in on the wake of José González's UK success? Not that it's fair to judge Tobias against such criteria. Anyhow, let's get back on track. "Somewhere in the city" is good, not great. It starts strong, but overstays its welcome. The last four songs should've been cut, simple as that. The recording and songwriting is charmingly retro 60s folk, nomore so apparent as on the very Simon & Garfunkel-esque song "God's highway" which I've posted today. I love that sweet harmony vocal line and the gentle fingerpicked guitar. Next Scandinavian superstar? Naah, don't think so. Talented and worth paying attention to? Yes, most definitely.
Tobias Fröberg - God's highway
Not only do I have a new interview with Marit Bergman posted today, but I've also got an mp3 of her latest single for download. You excited? I sure am! I've been a fan of Marit for a long time now, ever since her first solo album "3.00 am serenades" from 2002. As I've reminisced here many times, our paths crossed briefly when I was on tour with KVLR at SXSW in 2003, but I never got the opportunity to see her play. This site was still in its infancy back then, so I was just some nobody trying to play the part of a tour manager. So enough nostalgia - let's talk about "No party", the single. It's a bit more downbeat in tone than I expected, but just as hooky as ever. Even though I might've been looking forward to something more bright and cheery, I suppose this probably works even better for the season as summer is ending and we'll soon be slipping into fall. The annual series of festivals is wrapping up, so it won't be long until there really are no more big parties to go to, right? I can certainly relate - it's been just over a year since I've relocated here to Oly and I still don't know that many people. It's liberating in some ways, but also lonely at times. No doubt most people have been there at one point or another. Let all gather 'round the stereo and sing along with the bittersweet chorus, shall we?
Marit Bergman - No party
Today's the day! The new Tiger Lou 7" is available for ordering and I'm offering up the a-side "Until I'm there" as a free download. I had absolutely no expectations when I first started the label component of the It's a trap! empire back in 2004 with the release of KVLR's self-titled album, but here I am with release #4, my very first 7". Forget about all the various sound quality arguments, there's nothing like the touch and smell of fresh vinyl. Listening to record is a way more visceral experience than simply sliding a CD into a changer - you've got to pull it out of it's sleeve, find the proper side to listen to and set it on the turntable before firing it up and setting the needle in the groove to create sound. It's ritualistic and satisfying in a way that digital media can never compare to. I am incredibly honored and humbled to be working with a great talent such as Rasmus Kellerman and Tiger Lou. He's been one of my favorite artists for awhile now and he only gets better with each new release. So enjoy the mp3 and, if you like it, buy the record.
Tiger Lou - Until I'm there
Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the first great release from the second half of 2006. I know there's lots more good stuff on the way from lots of established artists, but Kazakstan is the first I've heard that has really impressed me. The music came described as "experimental pop" and I think that's both good and bad. Bad because it sounds intimidating. Often the tag "experimental" also means difficult and that's most definitely not the case here. On the other hand, it's good because it dispels any notions you might have of this band being yet another rock band with guitars. The songwriting is rooted in folk/pop tradition - they'd probably all sound just fine on acoustic guitar - but like later-era Wilco, there's a lot more going on in the production and arrangements. Listen to "Julien", the song I've posted today. The verse riff is 100% quirky indierock, but then the chorus smacks you upside the head with a huge hook that will linger for days. But, as you'll note, the first chorus is only a teaser - the song retreats to a solo keyboard riff before offering up a completely different variation on the verse before really truly launching into the chorus again, this time with more power. It's a fantastic arrangement that shows off the band's tremendous skill and audacity. The band was also kind enough to answer a few questions, so they are also this week's featured profile piece: [click here]
So very highly recommended.
Kazakstan - Julien
This week's Friday mp3 post is kind of a guilty pleasure for me, 'cept that I don't really feel all that guilty. Why should I feel ashamed for loving great pop music? Like a lot of folks outside Norway, I first heard Kurt Nilsen when he performed at the World Idol championship in 2004. It's no wonder they saved him until the end because there's no way that anyone could follow his blockbuster showing. To paraphrase Australian Idol judge Ian Dickson: the face of a hobbit, but the voice of an angel. Tal Bachman's "She's so high" was his first single back home in Norway and it's everything a great pop song should be. The melody soars and pulls all the right heartstrings and, even if the production seems a bit much sometimes, I don't believe that anyone can find serious fault with it. Kurt's albums are pretty good too, even his early work with pre-Idol band Fenrik Lane. Obviously, it's not necessarily the sort of thing I normally seek out, but my wife adores him and I'm happy to oblige by listening politely. On a side note, what's up with the singles they gave this year's Idols? I was never much of a Katherine fan, but the song they gave her for the finale was pure shit. I'd suggest that they intentionally sabotaged her, but Taylor's song was only marginally better. Silly as it may sound, both of them are better than the material. Ridiculous!
Kurt Nilsen - She's so high
What happens to punks when they get old? Prevailing wisdom seems to indicate that they become country singer/songwriters. At least that seems to work for the first generation. But what about those of us who a bit younger and grew up on stuff like Dischord? Where do we go next? Maybe they decide to push further out into the unknown. That seems to be the case with Chronic Heist. Veterans of acts like JR Ewing and Trapdoor Fucking Exit, but you'd never know it from cursory listening. They call it "suburban gothic" and I think that's fairly apt. You can certainly hear the roots of Nick Cave in their reliance on piano and dramatic vocals. It's not quite as sinister as Paper Chase, but I'd call them kindred spirits. Something for grownups who have gotten over the aggression of hardcore. I am not as angry as I was when I was a teenager, so why should I keep listening to angry music?
Buy "Great Northern Recordings compilation no. 1", the collection this song comes from: [click here]
Chronic Heist - Gather little tricks
New track today from Swedish electronic act FAP, a name which probably stands for something, I just don't know what. The label's description actually sums up the record quite nicely, a trait sadly all-too-rare in the music biz. Here's how they see it: "FAP's debut LP is a about a half an hour of minimal, ambient and lush drones; sparkling guitars and curious sine waves." And when they say LP, they mean it - this is a vinyl only release. Imagine a more lush version of Pan Sonic or maybe think of that Viktor Sjöberg record I was hyping recently. The music is deceptively simple, but extremely satisfying. It's the kind of stuff that easily does double-duty as both ambient background music or can be cranked up for more detailed listening. It doesn't demand your full attention, but proves to be rewarding when you do. Very recommended.
FAP - You golem
As the Swedish indie-dance/electropop music scene gets more and more crowded, it's becoming increasing hard to sift through all the crap. I believe that eventually the cream will all rise to the top, but right now the genre is overloaded with also-rans and wannabees. To be completely honest, I have a hard time getting into any of it. It's not hard to make crap dance music and even some of the best stuff still sounds pretty damn weak once you leave the club, so it's rare for me to find a record I can really get into. Part of that is also due to the fact that it's just a genre well-suited to the extended-length format. I can think of many examples of artists who released great singles and EPs only to crash and burn when they tried to do an album. Sadly, Kalle J is no exception. I really dig his "Some old friends and a glimpse of the future" EP. A lot. Great beats and production without any unnecessary pop singer/songwriter aspirations. His new full-length "Om du lyssnar noga"? Well, it's pretty hot once you get past the first four songs. The single "B.G.I.T." (see the video here) proves that Kalle is capable of making vocal-based pop, as do the subsequent tracks that close out the record (as you can hear from the one I've posted today), but you'd never know it if you didn't get past the halfway mark. So listen, here's my proposal: stop making albums. Put out as many EPs and singles as you want. Embrace the 'long tail' theory - less of more. We'll all be happier.
Buy Kalle J CDs/mp3s: [click here]
Kalle J - Burt Ward
First, the good news: Magyar Posse's latest album "Random avenger" is unmistakbly a Magyar Posse album. Their sound is so incredibly distinctive and well... Finnish. I don't know how else to describe it. When I talk about Finnish post-rock (which doesn't happen nearly as often as it should), this is what I'm referencing. I'm sure that band has competition beyond the very-awesome Plain Fade, but I have yet to hear it. Anyhow, I was kind of disappointed by the band's last record, 2004's sophomore slump "Kings of time", so I was really hoping to be wowed by this new one. The bad news: it didn't happen. Don't get me wrong, "Random avenger" is a good record, one that any band should be proud of, but it lacks the power of their debut "We will carry you over the mountains" - the yardstick to which they will forevermore be compared. I'm know I'm probably being unduly harsh, but I want Magyar Posse to blow me away. I think they're more than capable of it, too. They get so damn close and that makes it all the more frustrating. Okay, let's end with a bit more good news: one large improvement this new record has over "Kings of time" is that they've gotten much better with incorporating violin and wordless vocals into the instrumentation. Listen to the song I've posted today and you'll see what I mean.
Magyar Posse - Popzag
Hard to believe that Kristofer Åström's debut solo album "Go, went, gone" is already eight years old. It's funny how the years just seem to slip away like that. It remains to be seen whether Kris will keep pushing on with Fireside - I suspect we have yet to hear the last of them - but we can rest assured knowing that his solo career will continue to be fruitful for many years to come. From his humble start as a mopey boy with his heart on his sleeve (as in today's mp3 pick), to his more recent and much darker and deeper work (see the "Black valley" EP), Kristofer Åström has firmly established himself as one of Sweden's most accomplished singer/songwriters. I know it's probably brutally hot everywhere else in the world today, but this somber song works nicely with the cool grey morning we've got going up here in the Pacific Northwest. Don't worry - it sounds just as good in the sunshine too.
Buy Kristofer Åström CDs and mp3s: [click here]
Extra credit: new (old) Kristofer Åström videos just posted at myspace: [click here]
Kristofer Åström and Hidden Truck - Poor young man's heart
It sounds like something straight out of southern California 1984, but no - it's actually the latest 7" single from Denmark's No Hope for the Kids. Who would've thought that Cold War rhetoric would still sound so apt in 2006. Aside from Regulations, NHftK is easily one of the best punk-rock bands active in the world today. Retro, but still totally crucial.
No Hope for the Kids - Angels of destruction
Like labelmates Figurines, Oceano da Cruz plays the kind of by-the-numbers indierock that'll probably remind you of so many other artists. But also like Figurines, Oceano da Cruz does it with a certain level of finesse that makes them far superior to most of other dreck out there. So while it's not terribly original, it's charming, well-played and well-written. What more do you need? The new CD "Rocksploitation/No more Oceanomania..." is actually a double-album, so it runs a bit long for a single sitting, but if you break it up either by using the convoluted directions in the hard-to-read liner notes or splitting it in half down the middle, it's quite satisfying. Usually I'm all about artists trying to push boundaries and expand musical horizons, but there's something to be said for someone that can make well-tread territory sound fresh. Actually, that's often far more difficult.
Oceano da Cruz - Mr. Beerbourineman