IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Top 10s for 2011: Kvalität

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Albums (SWE):
Anna Järvinen - Anna själv tredje
Det Vackra Livet - Det vackra livet
Skriet - Det beslutande organet
Mattias Alkberg - Anarkist
Deportees - Islands & shores
Thus:Owls - Harbours
Jonathan Johansson - Klagomuren
We Are The Storm - To The North-Pole
Bob Hund - Det överexponderande gömstället
Riddarna - Riddarna
Pascal/Mattias Alkberg - Allt det här
Syket - With love

Songs (SWE):
Rytmen i natten - Riddarna
80 vårar - Mattias Alkberg
När nätterna når hamn - Jörgen Kjellgren
Du och Jag - Alf
Stanna klocka stanna - Bob Hund
Next to You - Dante
Museum - Thus: Owls
Redan glömda - Jonathan Johansson
New directions - Jens Lekman
Fish band - Syket

Albums:
The Head And The Heart - The Head And The Heart
Active Child - You are all I see
Big Deal - Lights Out
Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
J Mascis - Several shades of why
Ryan Adams - Ashes and fire
Lanterns On The Lake - Gracious tide take me home
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
120 Days - II
John Maus - We must become the pitiless censors of ourselves

Songs:
Big Pink - Stay gold
Friends - I'm his girl
Bon Iver - I can't make you love me / Nick of time
Burial / Four Tet / Thom Yorke - Mirror
Tame Impala - Remember Me
Is Tropical - Zombie
M83 - Wait
Modeselktor / Thom Yorke - Shipwreck
Bombay Bicycle Club - Lights out, words gone
The Joy Formidable - Austere

Videos:

Fish band - Syket

Hej då - Riddarna

Stockholm - Jonathan Johansson

Släpp taget - Alexis Weak

Tody Motmot - Elias Krantz

Looking forward to:

Album releases from: Riddarna, Sailor & I, Existensminimum, Kent.
Like to hear new tunes from: Sonjagon, Ruset, Pascal, Framtiden, Korea Campfire, Dungen, TSOOL, Karl X Johan, Ít's a Bird it's a Plane, Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, Anna von Hausswolff and Dr Alban

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http://www.kvalitat.com/

Alf - Du och jag

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:38:11 -0800

Listen to the new Alf single "Du och jag": http://soundcloud.com/tmnpromo/tmnpromo-alf-du-och-jag/s-iu7Ha

New Alf in April

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:28:20 -0800

The new Alf album "Vi ville förändra vår tid men den förändrade oss", his fourth overall, will be released this coming April via toomanynotes.

Alf - Hälften kvar (video)

Tue, 18 May 2010 15:40:47 -0700

Here's the video for Alf's new single "Hälften kvar": http://vimeo.com/11788606

Alf - Hälften kvar

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:44:33 -0700

Alf's new single "Hälften kvar" is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alfofsweden

New Alf single in May

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:31:31 -0700

Swedish artist Alf will release the new single "Hälften kvar" on May 5. His upcoming album, his fourth overall, will be out this fall.

New label: Too Many Notes

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:02:17 -0800

Too Many Notes is a new Swedish label home to Nutid and Alf: http://www.toomanynotes.se/
Look for Nutid's debut album in March.

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:38:21 -0800

PSL reports that Åsa Jacobsson (Marit Bergman) and Alf are collaborating on a project called Nutid: http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2008/11/12/asa-alf-nutid/
Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/nutid

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:06:09 -0700

Swedish artist Alf will release his new album "Tivoliv" on April 9 via Air Music after two albums on Dolores. Samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/alfofsweden

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The latest top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (04) Dub Sweden - "We're so loud"
02. (03) Arctic Monkeys - "When the sun goes down"
03. (16) Firefox AK - "Madame, Madame!"
04. (NY) Hard Fi - "Cash machine"
05. (NY) Danko Jones - "Baby hates me"
06. (NY) Depeche Mode - "Suffer well"
07. (ÅT) Maxïmo Park - "I want you to stay"
08. (06) Youngblood Brass Band - "Nuclear summer"
09. (02) Timo Räisänen - "Fear no darkness promised child"
10. (10) Architectures In Helsinki - "lt'5"
11. (01) Martha Wainwright - "Bloody mother f***ing a**hole"
12. (09) Sandy Mouche - "Spiderweb suit"
13. (14) SwingFly - "Something got me started"
14. (NY) The Concretes - "Chosen one"
15. (11) Cat Power - "The Greatest"
16. (05) We Are Scientists - "The great escape"
17. (08) Alf - "Manchester man"
18. (NY) Robyn - "Crash and burn girl"
19. (NY) Graham Coxon - "Standing on my own"
20. (NY) I'm From Barcelona - "We're From Barcelona"

Leaving the chart: Mylo, The Bravery, Tim Neu, Stars, Irene, Loney Dear, Hello Saferide and Sway.

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (ÅT) Martha Wainright - "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole"
02. (03) Timo Räisänen - "Fear No Darkness Promised Child"
03. (04) Arctic Monkey - "When the Sun Goes Down"
04. (01) Dub Sweden - "We're so Loud"
05. (NY) We Are Scientists - "The Great Escape"
06. (NY) Youngblood Brass Band - "Nuclear Summer"
07. (NY) Mylo - "Muscle Car (Sander Kleinenberg remix)"
08. (02) Alf - "Manchester Man"
09. (20) Sandy Mouche - "Spiderweb suit"
10. (07) Architectures in Helsinki - "lt'5"
11. (NY) Cat Power - "The Greatest"
12. (NY) Tim Neu - "If U Let Me Go"
13. (10) Stars - "Your Ex-lover is Dead"
14. (ÅT) SwingFly - "Something Got Me Started"
15. (NY) The Bravery - "Fearless"
16. (NY) Firefox AK - "Madame, Madame!"
17. (ÅT) Irene - "Baby I Love Your Way"
18. (NY) Loney Dear - "The City, the Airport"
19. (NY) Hello Saferide - "Long Lost Pen Pal"
20. (NY) Sway - "Little Derek"

Leaving the chart: Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson, Whyte Seeds, Belle & Sebastian, Damian Marley w/NAS, The Go Team!, Dilated Peoples, Matiyashu, Novastar, Håkan Hellström, The Sounds, Death Cab For Cutie, Mattafix and Monastir.

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the latest Swedish student radio top 20 chart:

01. (01) Dub Sweden - "We're so Loud"
02. (09) Alf - "Manchester Man"
03. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Fear No Darkness, Promised Child"
04. (08) Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson - "Roaring 40's"
05. (02) Arctic Monkeys - "When the sun goes down"
06. (06) Whyte Seeds - "Bold as Love"
07. (NY) Architecture In Helsinki - "It'5"
08. (05) Belle & Sebastian - "Funny Little Frog"
09. (17) Damian Marley w/NAS - "Road to Zion"
10. (11) Stars - "You Ex-lover is Dead"
11. (NY) The Go Team - "Ladyflash"
12. (10) Dilated Peoples - "Back Again"
13. (NY) Matiyashu - "King Without Crown"
14. (NY) Novastar - "Never Back Down"
15. (ÅT) Håkan Hellström - "13"
16. (07) The Sounds - "Song With a Mission"
17. (13) Death Cab For Cutie - "Crooked Teeth"
18. (NY) Mattafix - "To & Fro"
19. (NY) Monastir - "So Defeated"
20. (NY) Sandy Mouche - "Spiderweb Suit"

Leaving the chart: Martha Wainright, SwingFly, Irene, Absentee, Maxïmo Park, Beth Orton, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, Ashanti and Daddy Yankee.

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The Swedish student radio top 20 chart is back from vacation:

01. Dub Sweden - "We're So Loud"
02. Arctic Monkey - "When the Sun Goes Down"
03. Martha Wainright - "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole"
04. SwingFly - "Something's Got Me Started"
05. Belle & Sebastian - "Funny Little Frog"
06. Whyte Seeds - "Bold as Love"
07. The Sounds - "Song With a Mission"
08. Christian Kjellvander w/Nina Persson - "Roaring 40's"
09. Alf - "Manchester Man"
10. Dilated Peoples - "Back Again"
11. Stars - "Your Ex-lover is Dead"
12. Irene - "Baby I Love Your Way"
13. Death Cab For Cutie - "Crooked Teeth"
14. Absentee - "Weasel"
15. Maxïmo Park - "I Want You to Stay"
16. Beth Orton - "Conceived"
17. Damian Marley med NAS - "Road to Zion"
18. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - "Rise Up With Fists"
19. Ashanti - "Still on it"
20. Daddy Yankee - "Rompe"

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Alf's new single for the song "Manchesterman" will be out February 1 on Dolores Recordings.

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Nominees for the Swedish radio 2006 P3 Gold awards:

Best female artist:
Laleh
Jenny Wilson
Hello Saferide
Frida Hyvönen
Robyn

Best male artist:
Moneybrother
Håkan Hellström
Timbuktu
Alf
Darin

Best band:
Kent
Cardigans
The Ark
The Embassy
Bodies Without Organs

Best newcomer:
Laleh
Jenny Wilson
Darin
Le Sport
Frida Hyvönen

Best song:
Robyn - Be mine
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Laleh - Live tomorrow
Moneybrother - They're building walls around us
September - Satellites

Guldmicken (best live):
Hellacopters
Laleh
Robyn
Timbuktu
Lars Winnerbäck

Best rock/metal:
Burst - Origo
Grand Magus - Wolf’s Return
Hellacopters - Rock & Roll Is Dead
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Rentokiller - Cadaveri Eccelente

Best hip-hop/soul:
Hearin’ Aid - The Boom Lucy
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Peshi - The Work of Art The Art of Work
Stacs Of Stamina - Tivoli
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best pop:
The Embassy - Tacking
Frida Hyvönen - Until Death Comes
Paddington DC - The Sun is Down And The Sky is Grey
The Tough Alliance - The New School
Jenny Wilson - Love And Youth

Go here to vote for your favorites: http://www.sr.se/p3/p3guld/
Winners will be announced January 21.

Alf Alfs andra Dolores

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Alf's first album (from last year) was superb and although it got a lot of critical acclaim, Alf's career never properly took off. His second album is a really nice follow up to all those super melodic songs from "Augustibrev", since it feels like Alf's taken a step forward, without leaving his first album completely behind him. The songs are more complex, and where "Augustibrev" stuck in your head at first impact with your ears, "Alf's andra" (Swedish for "Alf's second" – what an clever title!) took me a few listening before I really got into it. The lyrics are also a bit darker, which works as a nice contrast to the happy-go-lucky songs from "Augustibrev". Thankfully, none of this means that Alf isn't able to write hits anymore (see "Kunde vart jag"). So, if you're hungry for some catchy Swedish music sung in Swedish, you should get this album (preferably accompanied by "Augustibrev").

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
02. (02) Tiga - "You Gonna Want Me"
03. (07) Hard Fi - "Hard to Beat"
04. (03) Death Cab for Cutie - "Soul Meets Body"
05. (04) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
06. (NY) Tiger Lou - "The Loyal"
07. (06) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
08. (NY) CDOASS - "A Fair Resort"
09. (09) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Loop Duplicate My Heart"
10. (NY) Princess Superstar - "My Machine"
11. (14) Pharrell - "Can I Have It Like That (med Gwen Stefani)"
12. (10) Kanye West - "Golddigger"
13. (11) Alf - "Sött/salt"
14. (12) Weeping Willows - "I'm Gonna Let Love Find Me"
15. (15) Audio Bullys - "I'm In Love"
16. (05) Acid House Kings - "Tonight is Forever"
17. (NY) System of a Down - "Question"
18. (NY) Paris - "Captain Morgan"
19. (NY) Lil' Kim - "Lighters Up"
20. (08) Svenska Akademien & Promoe - "En varning"

Leaving the chart: Franz Ferdinand, Jem, Panthers, Stars, Tegan and Sara and Turbonegro.

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Darin - Darin
02. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
03. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
04. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
05. Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
06. Laleh - Laleh
07. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
08. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
09. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
10. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
11. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
12. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
13. Kent - Du & jag Döden
14. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten
15. Robyn - Robyn
16. Tom Levin - Me, My Band that I älskar
17. Musikal - Mamma Mia
18. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
19. Alf - Alfs andra
20. Ebba Grön - Samlingen

The website for Madrugada/Ricochets fuzz-rock sideproject My Midnight Creeps is now up and running with fall tourdays around Norway and a few songs for download: http://www.mymidnightcreeps.com/

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
02. (02) Tiga - "You Gonna Want Me"
03. (08) Death Cab for Cutie - "Soul Meets Body"
04. (13) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
05. (03) Acid House Kings - "Tonight is Forever"
06. (07) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
07. (05) Hard Fi - "Hard to Beat"
08. (06) Svenska Akademien & Promoe - "En varning"
09. (09) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Loop Duplicate My Heart"
10. (04) Kanye West - "Golddigger"
11. (14) Alf - "Sött/salt"
12. (ÅT) Weeping Willows - "I'm Gonna Let Love Find Me"
13. (17) Stars - "Ageless Beauty"
14. (NY) Pharell - "Can I Have It Like That" (w/Gwen Stefani)
15. (NY) Audio Bully's - "I'm in Love"
16. (ÅT) Turbonegro - "City of Satan"
17. (ÅT) Panthers - "Thanks for the Simulacra"
18. (11) Jem - "Just a Ride"
19. (12) Franz Ferdinand - "Do You Want To"
20. (NY) Tegan and Sara - "Speak Low"

Leaving the chart: Embassy, The Greatest Hits, Hello Saferide, Randy, The Legends and They Live By Night.

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Darin - Darin
02. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
03. Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
04. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
05. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
06. Laleh - Laleh
07. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
08. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
09. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
10. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
11. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
12. Musikal - Mamma Mia
13. Alf - Alfs andra
14. Ebba Grön - Samlingen
15. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
16. Robyn - Robyn
17. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
18. Hello Saferide - Introducing... Hello Saferide
19. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten
20. Kent - Du & jag Döden

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (NY) Kristian Anttila - "Paul Weller"
02. (NY) Tiga - "You Gonna Want Me"
03. (01) Acid House Kings - "Tonight is Forever"
04. (05) Kanye West - "Golddigger"
05. (NY) Hard Fi - "Hard to Beat"
06. (NY) Svenska Akademien & Promoe - "En varning"
07. (04) Röyksopp - "What Else is There?"
08. (02) Death Cab for Cutie - "Soul Meets Body"
09. (08) Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - "Loop Duplicate My Heart"
10. (ÅT) Embassy - "Some Indulgence"
11. (09) Jem - "Just a Ride"
12. (06) Franz Ferdinand - "Do You Want To"
13. (NY) Bloc Party - "Two More Years"
14. (NY) Alf - "Söttsalt"
15. (NY) Randy - "Razorblade"
16. (07) The Greatest Hits - "Give it to Me Baby (med Jesse)"
17. (NY) Stars - "Ageless Beauty"
18. (10) Hello Saferide - "If I don't Write This Song, Somehone I Love Will Die"
19. (13) They Live by Night - "Truth or Dare"
20. (14) The Legends - "He Knows the Sun"

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Alf now has a website where you can stream the single "Kunda vart jag": http://www.alfshemsida.com/
His new album "Alfs andra" comes out September 28 via Dolores Recordings. The next single "Sött/Salt" comes out soon.

Alf Kunde vart jag Dolores

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Alf sings in Swedish and makes charming pop songs. His last album "Augustibrev", from 2004, is a little gem that deserved more recognition (and sales). "Kunde vart jag" sounds a lot like the best songs from "Augustibrev", which is of course great, just great. Hopefully Alf will soon be propelled into the lush stardom that he so rightly deserves. You can have a look at the annoying video to the song here.

Tue, 31 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Stream the video for Alf's new single "Kunde vart jag": http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/deliverMedia.asp?id=2b28ec20-8380-4045-8dfb-b7951b743ef5&delivery=stream

Thu, 19 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Dolores Recordings will be reissueing the 1985 album "Södra Esplanaden #4" from Swedish garage/pop/folk act The Backdoor Men on May 31. Also coming up from Dolores is the new album and single "Kunde vart jag" from Alf. More info to come.

Top 10s for 2004: IAT! writers

Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Simon Thibaudeau - Top 10 music moments of 2004:

01. Mogwai live (Kicked my ass pretty hard)
02. Haunted - rEVOLVEr (See my full review on the site, best thrash record in some time)
03. WE - Smugglers (ROOOOCCKKK!)
04. Tricky Woo live (If you don't know, you should)
05. The Dears - Protest EP and live (Best live "experience" of the year, EP ain't too bad either)
06. Shalabi Effect - Pink Abyss (How they can improv this record is beyond any comprehension)
07. Controller Controller - History (Still one of Canada's best kept secrets, indie-pop that makes your ass move without your knowledge)
08. In Slaughter Natives - Resurrection (Still the cream of the genre)
09. Lederhosen Lucil live (So much fun, I soiled myself)
10. Devendra Banhart - Nino Rojo (Simple, perfect)

Simon Tagestam - Top 10 Swedish records of 2004:

01. The Tough Alliance - Make it happen (EP)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis in heaven (EP)
03. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
04. Sounds Like Violence - The Pistol (EP)
05. Mattias Alkberg BD - Tunaskolan
06. David Sandström - The dominant need of the nedy soul is to be needed
07. Promoe - The long distance runner
08. Stina Nordenstam - The world is saved
09. Jens Lekman - You are the light (EP)
10. David Fridlund - Amaterasu
11. Chandra - Summer in the sun (EP)
12. The Honeydrips - Save me (7")
13. Alf - Augustibrev
14. The Tough Alliance - Holiday (EP)
15. Heikki - 2
16. Raymond & Maria - Vi ska bara leva klart
17. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye
18. Gustav Kjellvander - Proudly Presents the Fine Arts Showcase & the Electric Pavilion
19. Niccokick - Awake from the dead, my dear best friend
20. Starmarket - Abandon time

Matthew W. Smith - Top 11 Scandinavian music moments of 2004:

01. The Accelerator Big One in Stockholm--great bands, much better weather than last year.
02. Kings of Convenience - Riot On An Empty Street album. I'm really looking forward to seeing them for the first time in February.
03. The Hives and Sahara Hotnights on the same bill at the 9.30 Club in Washington, D.C.
04. Another successful shopping spree at Sound Pollution in Stockholm--lots of selections, right in the heart of Gamla Stan.
05. Two heavy metal guys screaming their way through a Madonna song at a karaoke bar in Helsinki--probably the funniest thing I saw all year.
06. An import of the "Bigtime" single by The Soundtrack of Our Lives showing up fairly cheaply at my local independent record store--a hint of good things to come.
07. The Flaming Sideburns stealing at least the first half of a very big show--the 40-band extravaganza that was Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival in New York City. What a travesty they got to play only two songs...
>08. Tiger Lou - Is My Head Still On? album. Good songs and a full sound. "Oh Horatio" is one of my favorites.
09. Nina Persson of The Cardigans singing "You're the Storm" while cradling a Swedish Chef doll given to her on the last night of the Chicks with Attitude tour. I guess you had to be there. It was great to see The Cardies back in North America for the first time in a great while...
10. The song "I Burn Myself On You" by the Lionheart Brothers, as featured on Avi's It's a Trap! compilation. Simply stunning...
11. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #1 EP. Loads of talent and potential there...

Nick Levine - Top 10 Scandinavian albums of 2004:

01. Radio Dept. - Lesser matters
The album that just won't die. An updated take on shoegazing that teachers the originators a new trick or two.
02. Concretes - s/t
Its beauty is in its subtlety and understated mystery. A real slow burner.
03. Annie - Anniemal
Perfect pop. Laden with songs Kylie would kill for, and production from both Richard X and Royksopp. I expect this to crossover to a massive mainstream audience next year.
04. Kings Of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
In 2004 Erlend and Eirik returned from the wilderness. On this longplayer the Kings broaden their musical palette to include bossa nova and (shock!) drums.
05. Jens Lekman - When I said I wanted to be your dog
A great up-and-coming singer songwriter. His lyrics are slightly indebted to the anti-folk movement. I'm slowly coming round to the Magnetic Fields comparison.
06. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin I
Did you think that TSOOL were going to let you down? Really?!
07. The Legends - Up against the Legends
Modern take on C86. Bundles of energy.
08. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on?
Woozy production with quality instrumental backing. A cult audience beckons.
09. Moneybrother - Blood panic
White soul that isn't embarrassing to listen to in public.
10. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #1 EP
Introductory EP from these Swedish newcomers. Quirky pop of the highest order.

Navy Keophan - Top ten albums (Scandinavian and non-Scandinavian) of 2004:

01. Henry Fiat's Open Sore - The parallel universe of... (Coldfront)
Hardcore punk fury with '60s-inspired catchiness.
02. Division of Laura Lee - Das not compute (Burning Heart/Epitaph)
DOLL never fails to impress and they did so with what I consider to be one of the "sleeper" hits of 2004.
03. Knugen Faller - Skellefte stadshotell EP (Cage Match Federation)
Catchy punk-pop from the north of Sweden.
04. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Armed love (Burning Heart)
Producer Rick Rubin pushes them to their limit and they show that they can still rock.
05. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope)
I don't care what anyone else says about The Hives but I still think that this album was good. I think their label handled the promotion for it wrong but that's another story.
06. Euroboys - Soft focus (Virgin Norway)
With a dash of '70s-inspired California pop and the Beach Boys for good measure, it keeps that feeling of summer all year long around here (although in Southern California, it isn't that hard...)
07. Bruce Banner - I've Had It With Humanity (Busted Heads)
Hardcore punk in the last couple of years has its fair share of greatness and mediocrity. Bruce Banner is not the latter. Intense hardcore from the north of Sweden with vocals by Per and Bobo (ex-DS-13).

The non-Scandinavian part of the top ten:

08. The Chinese Stars - A rare sensation (Three.One.G.)
Disco beats, hypnotic, dissonant guitars, groovy bass lines and a singer who sounds like he never left puberty all add up for a fun time.
09. Some Girls - All My Friends Are Going Death (Deathwish)
I remember the first time hearing this and not being really impressed. Fast forward to six months later and this is some of the best stuff I've heard all year from the genre. The lyrics are thoughtful and the sound is like a kick in the chest.
10. Ludacris - Red light district (Def Jam)
HA! Bet you guys weren't expecting this album here. If there is one thing I like, it's intelligent hip-hop/rap that is done right and Ludacris is a genius. On his latest effort, Ludacris brings the catchiness and sensibility back again.

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Thu, 09 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The nominees for the Swedish radio P3 Gold awards have been announced:

Best female artist:
Ayesha - Jade Fever
Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved
Marit Bergman - Baby Dry Your Eye
Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan

Best male artists:
Promoe - The Long Distance Runner
Christian Walz - Paint By Numbers
Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
Alf - Augustibrev
Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog

Best group:
Teddybears STHLM - Fresh
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Origin Vol 1
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Silverbullit - Arclight
Sahara Hotnights - Kiss & Tell

Best newcomer:
Raymond & Maria
Tough Alliance
Fibes, Oh Fibes!
Anna Ternheim
Jens Lekman

Best song:
Call on me - Eric Prydz
Mr Cool - Snook
Det gör ont - Lena Philipsson
Hey Boy - Teddybears STHLM feat. Swing Fly
Ingen vill veta var du köpt din tröja - Raymond & Maria

Guldmicken (best live):
Marit Bergman
Svenska Akademien
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
Infinite Mass
In Flames

Best rock/metal:
Nasum - Shift
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
In Flames - Soundtrack To Your Escape
The Haunted - rEVOLVEr
Cult of Luna - Salvation

Best hip-hop/soul:
Embee - Tellings From Solitaria
Ison & Fille - Ison & Fille
Promoe - The Long Distance Runner
Natalie Gardiner - Natalie Gardiner
Ayesha - Jade Fever

Best dance:
Hird - Moving On
Cari Lekebusch - The Architect
Andreas Tilliander - World Industries
Eric Prydz - Samlad produktion 2004
Stonebridge - Can't Get Enough

Best pop:
Mattias Alkberg BD - Tunaskolan
Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved
Testbild! - The Inexplicable Feeling Of September
Hans Appelqvist - Bremort
Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog

Vote here: http://www.sr.se/p3/p3guld/

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Twenty-four new bands confirmed for Malmöfestivalen: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (US), Moonbabies, Koma, Alf, Bob Log III (US), Moder Jords Massiva, Hip Whips, Ramses Revolution, Nils Ericsson, Peter Lundblad, Fibes, Oh Fibes!, Death By Stereo (US), Voice Of A Generation, Division Of Laura Lee, Ane Brun, Cirera, Misteltein, Totalt Jävla Mörker, Barbi Esco, Snook, MBMA feat. DJ Large, Organism 12 & PST/Q, Her Majesty, Universal Poplab and Kitty & the K.

Fri, 07 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Check out the e-card for the new Alf single "Gröna Linjen": http://www.emi.se/ecard/alf/alf-video.htm

Wed, 05 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Also in the works from Dolores is the debut album "Augustibrev" from Alf. It also comes out May 12 and features the production talent of Karl von Hall and Jonas Lundqvist from Bad Cash Quartet. Cover art: http://www.doloresrecordings.com/covers/alf_augustibrev.jpg

Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

I went down to LA on Saturday for that ExMS Swedish Showcase at the Troubadour and it was fantastic. Not only did all five bands (Kristofer Åström, Holden, Kamera, Hell on Wheels and Hardcore Superstar) put on a good show, but everyone was tremendously nice and fun to hang out with. Big ups to everyone involved involved, including Christer at ExMS, Fredrik from Startracks, Alf the tour manager, HS' label folks and so on and so forth. I'm so glad I made the trip. Look for a full write-up soon. I'll try and post some of the pics I took, too.

Tue, 04 Feb 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Sigh. It was only a matter of time, but Virgin Records Sweden has contacted me and kindly asked me to remove the mp3s from their artists (Nicolai Dunger, Melody Club, Caesars Palace and The Ark). And I do mean kindly - no threats or anything, just a polite request. Maybe we'll work something in the future for authorized downloads, but until then there will be no more Virgin artists represented on the playlist. Kind of a pity since they are some of my favorites, but that's the way it goes.

UPDATE: The nice people at Virgin are looking into working out an arrangement in the future. Nothing yet, but we'll see. As for now, get a preview of "Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils?", the new 2xCD from Virgin/Dolores showcasing the label's past and present artists. It comes out February 24 and will be celebrated with a party at Club Debaser in Stockholm. Scheduled to appear and spin records are Ebbot from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Jocke Åhlund from Caesars Palace, Reine Fiske from Dungen and more. Tickets go on sale on the 7th. Oh, and the tracklist for the album:

CD1.
01. Caesars Palace - Subhuman Girl
02. Håkan Hellström - Fulaste Flickan I Världen
03. Dungen - Horizon
04. Alf - Mitt I Malmö City
05. Grammar School Boys - Baby Blue
06. Franke - Aldrig förstå
07. Jose Gonzales - Dead Waits On Velveteen
08. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Jehova Sunrise
09. Broder Daniel - You Bury Me
10. Silverbullit - I Had To Tell You
11. Hello Goodbye - Pussycat
12. Whyte Seeds - Lost My Love
13. Sagor & Swing - Flickan & Jätten
14. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Up For Sale
15. Paola - Rainbow In The Dark
16. Nicolai Dunger - Hey Mama

CD2.
01. The Mascots - The Girl That You Are
02. The Shakers - Who Will Buy (These Wonderful Evils)
03. The Wizards - See You Tonight
04. The Jackpots - King Of The World
05. Tages - Fantasy Island
06. Annaabee-Nox - Always On My Mind
07. Outsiders - Iside Of Me
08. Fabulous Four - 438 South Michigan Avenue
09. T-Bones - I Want You
10. Charlie & Esdor - Dagen Är Över
11. Steampacket II - Fruitseller Oldman's Song
12. Pugh - Här Kommer Natten
13. Ola And The Janglers - I Can't Wait
14. Mecki Mark Men - Midnight Land
15. Hansson & Karlsson - Tax Free
16. Trolls - Alone
17. The Deejays - Striped Dreams Checked Fear

And on a similar note, increased traffic levels mean I need to cut back on the amount of music I have for download anyways. If someone else is willing to externally host the stuff, by all means, let me know. Otherwise, five tracks at a time going forward plus the usual live sets.

Beyond Dawn reports that they've finally solidified a release for their new album "Frysh". Look for it in May from Peaceville.

In BD related news, side-project Wrongside has finished recording their debut MCD for a release in April on Duplicate Records. Described as "a strange mix of noisy rock, playful electronica and lo-fi melancholy among other things," they say "it should appeal to BD fans and probably a lot of other people as well." Preorder it now: duplicaterecords@hotmail.com.

Also from the BD camp, word is that Virus is nearly done with their debut album for Jester Records. Now tentively titled "Carheart" (as opposed to the original title "The Drama Hour") they describe it as "outlandishly cool and mindbogglingly mindboggling." To me that describes most everything from Jester, but hey, check it out and decide for yourself.

The new Katatonia album has been finalized. It's called "Viva Emptiness" and you can preview the cover here. It'll be out on March 24 from Peaceville. The tracklist:

01. Ghost of the Sun
02. Sleep
03. Criminals
04. A Premonition
05. Will I Arrive
06. Burn the Remembrance
07. Wealth
08. One Year from Now
09. Walking by a Wire
10. Complicity
11. Evidence
12. Omerta
13. Inside the City of Glass

The band promises preview mp3s shortly. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a message of interest from Burning Heart that may be worth investigating:

We have a very special treat for you. In cooperation with Burning Heart Records Turbojugend members will have the chance to listen to the new Turbonegro album "Scandinavian Leather" before everybody else!!! The official street date is the 28th of april. If your chapter is interested in setting up a pre-listening party, have your President get in touch a.s.a.p. with El Presidente (party@bitzcore.de) and Montse (montse@burningheart.com)

Fri, 27 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0800

The new single from The Knife is called "Heartbeats" and it comes out today. Get a preview of it here, along with a special Christmas treat.

Kent is the band of the year according to Aftonbladet. Again. Personally, I was a little disappointed with the new record, but it wasn't bad or anything either. Anyhow, here's their picks of the groups with high expectations for next year along with their previous entries on the same list:

1. Kent (2002: 1 2001: 4 2000: 2 1999: 4 1998: 1 1997: 2 1996: 10)
2. Håkan Hellström (2002: 20 2001: 6)
3. Peter LeMarc (2002: 19 2001: 13 1996: 14 )
4. The Hives (2002: 2)
5. The Cardigans (2002: 14 2001: 8 2000: 1 1999: 3 1998: 4 1997: 1)
6. Ulf Lundell (2002: 6 2001: 17 2000: 15 1999: 10 1998: 4 1997: 1 )
7. Lisa Miskovsky
8. Marie Serneholt, A-Teens
9. Florens Valentine
10. Sara Isacsson
11. The Ark (2002: 11 2001: 10)
12. Soundtrack of Our Lives (1997: 18)
13. Magnus Uggla
14. Kaah (2002: 13)
15. Radio Dept
16. The Sounds
17. Broder Daniel (2002: 8)
18. Brolle Jr
19. International Noise Conspiracy
20. Rebecka Törnqvist (1996: 3)

I thought it was already released, but I guess I'm just way too ahead of the game. My prediction for 'next-big-thing' status, Caesars Palace (aka The Caesars), releases their next single "Candy Kane" on January 13.

The next record from the Dolores Singles Club will be from the band ALF. Dolores also says we'll be getting a new Broder Daniel record in the near future, but how many times have we heard that before?

Marduk's next album "World Funeral" will come out in Europe on February 24. A single for the song "Hearse" will also arrive in February with the b-side being a cover of "Phantasm", originally by Possessed.

Is it time for the final countdown? Word on the street has it that 80s rockers Europe may reunite in celebration of their 20th anniversary next year. They're already releasing a CD of previously unreleased material, so it's time to cash in, right? Ex-frontman Joey Tempest (nee Joakim Larsson) recently put out his third solo album earlier this year.

Fri, 13 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0800

A ton of news today! My goodness! Read on...

Björn Olsson will NOT be participating in the upcoming Union Carbide Productions reunion at Hultsfred. "Sure, it might be fun to play, but it's more fun not to play." says the man himself in this interview. (in Swedish) Of course, this may be subject to change. You never know. Also, the boxset is now expected around mid-May, but still no exact date has been set. And lastly, I just my hands on a copy of "UPA" and will try to put up a track a bit later today. Full review next week at the latest. Check back, y'hear?

In somewhat related news, TSOOL's latest album "Behind the Music" made GQ Magazine's top 10 of the year. What they said:

Cranking guitars and clean, poppish melodies make you think of 1960s British bands, but this time it's the Scandanavian Invasion. Will Norrkoping or Malmö be the next Manchester?

Check out the video for "By the Grace of God" from The Hellacopters, courtesy of NME.

The finalists for Rockbjörnen have been announced! Vote here! Here's the list of the nominees for the Swedish categories:

Best female artist:
Robyn
Marit Bergman
Paola
Carola
Awa Manneh

Best male artist:
Håkan Hellström
Ulf Lundell
Joakim Thåström
Brolle Jr
Markoolio

Best group:
Kent
The Ark
The Hellacopters
In Flames
The Sounds

Best song:
Dom andra (Kent)
Kom igen Lena (Håkan Hellström)
FF (Kent)
Kärleken Väntar (Kent)
Vinternoll2 (Kent)

Best album:
Vapen och Ammunition (Kent)
Det är så jag säger det (Håkan Hellström)
In lust we trust (The Ark)
Club Zebra (Ulf Lundell)
Reroute To Remain (In Flames)

Best newcomer:
The Sounds
Mando Diao
Brolle Jr
Melody Club
Awa Manneh

Randy is currently in the studio and have completed 17 songs for their next record. Not all of em will make the cut, but they have until the 22nd to keep cranking out more. Mixing will convene in January.

Bad Taste Records says they're gonna put the recently completed Bad Taste Festival up for online viewing! No exact details yet, but they say to check their website tomorrow for the scoop. Danko Jones, Langhorns, Logh and Last Days of April were the bands that played and you can read more about the event here.

Håkan Hellström's next single will be "Det är så jag säger det". Look for it in January.

Dolores Recordings is gonna release a compilation of the best pop/rock from today and from 1966-1971 in February. Here's the track listing:

Lots of news from Ulver today:

The soundtrack to "Svidd Neger" is just about finished and will be released in conjunction with the film in March 2003.
The all-string remake of "Nattens Madrigal" is delayed yet again and the prospects of it ever getting done are looking dimmer and dimmer.
The upcoming remix album will be called "1st Decade in the Machines" and it should be out around February. Some of the contributing artists include Merzbow, Neotropic, Bogdan Raczynski, Third Eye Foundation, Kevin Drumm, Fennesz and Stars of the Lid.
The band recently recorded a cover of Lee Hazelwood's "The Night Before" and it may surface on a Jester Records cover album sometime in the future.
T-shirts are now available from Plastichead in the UK.
And finally, the band has yet another new release coming up. It will be an EP entitled "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" and it will be out sometime next year.
phew.

In other Ulver-related news, their self-run label Jester Records has a bunch of new stuff on the horizon.

Kåre Joaö will release the single "Sleepers" in February. The CD will also contain the video.
Lars Pedersen of When says a new album is in the works. March 2003? Here's an interview you can read where he discusses his plans, along with some other topics. (In English, too!)
Jester will also release a new album from Lord Bård (aka 1349 Rykkinn, founding member of Masters of Møh and Superskill) entitled "Brown Ring of Fury". The artist's own description of his work: "Brown Ring of Fury is the sound of growing up in the suburbs west of Norway’s capital. 1349 Rykkinn. The sound of glue and magic mushrooms. Ghettoblasters. Daddy drowning in his own vomit. Amphetamines. Fireworks. The sound of getting laid for first time. Of filming one’s first orgasm. My life. A tribute to blowing oneself up. For to repent till tears gush forth. Again and again. An anaesthetic circle."

Porcupine Tree mastermind Steven Wilson says the inspiration for his band's latest album came from the Swedish metal bands Meshuggah and Opeth. Of course, he did produce Opeth's last couple records, but anyhow - here's what he had to say on the subject:

For years I had dismissed metal as music for adolescents, which a lot of people do, because I was only exposed to the stuff that is in the mainstream. And then suddenly I tapped into this whole group of bands from the underground. Actually, it's because I read a book called 'Lords Of Chaos', because I was fascinated with this guy from Burzum, that led me into the whole world. So I started listening to bands like Morbid Angel, some of the doom bands and eventually found my way to Meshuggah and Opeth, which to me, were the holy grail of that whole scene. I suddenly realized where all the musicians that were making truly progressive music had gone. They weren't making old-style progressive music, they were making a completely contemporary form of progressive music by using metal as their kind of conduit, if you like. I mean, Mike from Opeth is completely into progressive rock. But he's not doing it in a nostalgic way, he's doing it in a completely cutting edge contemporary way, using metal as his vehicle. And he loves metal just as much as anything, and so do I. And that was kind of a real eye-opener for me, to find musicians who are obviously very much coming from the tradition of the way people made records in the '70s, but doing it in a completely new and contemporary way and with musicianship that I just didn't think existed anymore.

Amorphis has completed the recording of the instrumental parts for their new album. Frontman Pasi Koskinen will begin working on his parts under the tutelage of producer Hannu Leiden shortly.