01. Donkeyboy - Caugh in a Life
02. Bjørn Eidsvåg - De Beste
03. Sivert Høyem - Moon Landing
04. Jonas Fjeld feat Henning Kvitnes - Den Gamle Veien
05. Ole Ivars - Femten Ferske
06. Herborg Kråkevik - Kvar Ein Dag
07. Diverse artister - Go'natt
08. The Blacksheeps - Blacksheeps
09. Anne Nørdsti - Livet er nå
10. Tord Gustavsen Ensemble - Restored, Returned
11. Annie - Don't Stop
12. John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt
13. Diverse artister - Melodi Grand Prix Junior 2009
14. Solveig Slettahjell - Tarpan Seasons
15. Minor Majority - Either Way I Think You Know
16. Bjølsen Valsemølle - Mohammeds Cafe
17. Kings Of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
18. Mari Boine - Sterna Paradisea
19. Nilsen/Aalberg - Call Me a Dreamer
20. Knut Reiersrud - Gitar

10/16 - Shepherds Bush Empire
10/17 - The Social

Lazily, but somewhat accurately, described as Norway's answer to Kylie Minogue, electro-pop princess Annie has a fanbase ranging from tweens to tastemakers. One of those pop stars it's not uncool to like, she writes her own material, founded a Bergen club night, and has collaborated with countryfolk Röyksopp and Datarock. Annie's debut record "Anniemal" was released in 2004, and followed the tragic death from heart failure of her boyfriend and early collaborator Tore Kroknes. New album "Don't stop" steps up the electro-beats and is released internationally this month on her own label, Totally, and Oslo's Smalltown Supersound, after lengthy delays that saw Annie leave Island Records with the master tapes.

This month your album "Don't stop" is finally released in the US and UK, after a delay of more than a year. How does that feel?

It feels so amazing, I can't tell you. I don't know what it feels like to have a child, but it's that kind of amazing. I had to go through so much waiting around, with my old label [Island] saying "it's coming out now", then "it's coming out in a few months" and on and on. At this point I've already started to work on the next one. I'm on to the next level.

Why did Island delay the release at a time when Scandinavian music is doing so well internationally?

It was really annoying, it was typical major label stuff. I was signed by one person, who then left to go to EMI and the new person who came onto the project just didn't get the project at all. The people I was working with kept changing. It just doesn't work or feel right to make an album that way. You're working against a wall. But I'm really happy now that I have my own label, Totally.

And you're also collaborating with the Oslo label Smalltown Supersound?

Do you have any favourite new tracks?

I'm really happy with "Hey Annie", that's one of my favourites. I made that with Paul Epworth. And I have this song called "Marie Cherie" which is nice and relaxing. I was listening to a lot of French pop music at the time and I wanted to make something that had a cinematic feel.

With all the delays, did the title "Don't stop" begin to feel pertinent?

Yeah, it was very early in the project I called the album "Don't stop", and having done that, a lot of trouble came up with Island. The title kind of took on a new meaning. I couldn't change the title once I called it that! I had to keep going and it still had to be called "Don't stop".

Why did you take the single that had been released, "I know ur girlfriend hates me", off the final album tracklisting?

I was a bit annoyed because it was released in the wrong way. It was only supposed to be a small release but Island went ahead and did it the way they wanted, without asking me. I think it's a good song, but I took it off the album because a lot of people had already heard it and I had so many songs. I wanted to give people something new.

What have you learned about how to make music since the first album?

In the beginning I really concentrated on writing songs, on all the songwriting details. As time's gone, on I've become more involved in the production and in the whole process. I think the sound of this record is stronger and more direct than (previous record) "Anniemal". The first record sounded "nicer" somehow. It was a more innocent sound.

How have you achieved your status as a pop artist who is seen as having an edge and being credible?

My background is different from a lot of others, because it's listening to underground music and going to underground clubs and buying loads of vinyl. That will always stay with me. And I could never just lean back and let someone else do everything for me musically. I know what I want. When I was working with Brian Higgins at (British pop producers) Xenomania, he said he found me interesting because they work with a lot of artists who sit back and let other people do it for them, but I was really involved in the production and the whole thing.

(British girl group and Xenomania protégées) Girls Aloud sang backing vocals on your new track my "My love is better". Is it true their vocals have now been removed?

Yes, we were forced to take it away! It was record company business stuff. Girls Aloud were in the Xenomania studio as well -- it's a big place with lots of rooms -- recording their song "I don't speak French". Brian asked them if they'd sing and they said they love to do something, and they sang the backing vocals. They were happy to do it. But when we tried to clear it with the labels, we found we couldn't. People were worried in case our records came out at the same time.

In the 1990s you ran a club night in Bergen called Pop Till You Drop. Do you still DJ?

Yes, I still do it, I was just DJing just a couple of days ago in Istanbul. I'd like to do some kind of combination show that's a live gig and also DJing. I love to buy records, I buy new records every week, so it's good to get a chance to play them out.

Is the DJ scene and nightlife one of the reasons you've just moved to Berlin?

Well, the thing I like most is that it's so much cheaper here than in Norway, which is a ridiculously expensive place. And things are open late in Berlin and I work on my music until really late into the evening, so if I'm not too tired, I can still head out and go to a club and hear music, so I like that about it. I just got a new apartment here which I really love and I'm settling in. But I travel so much that I won't actually be here a lot of the time. I've also thought of moving to the UK, because I'm there so often and I really like it.

Has your famous cat Joey moved with you to Berlin? (Annie's cat, who she named after both Joey Ramone and Joey from New Kids on the Block, has been used by the press as a metaphor for her eclectic tastes).

No, sadly not. Joey got left in Norway with my mother. I'll always go back there to visit her. I'm not sure I'd be allowed to have her here in my apartment, but in any case where she is in Norway there's so much nature and it's beautiful. It's a much better place for a little cat.

Interview by Sophy Grimshaw

03/10 - Arena, Newcastle
03/11 - NEC, Birmingham
03/12 - Arena, Nottingham
03/14 - O2 Arena, London

Fast forward three years and it seems Annie is being given a second bite of the pop cherry. She's back and this time she means it. The decadent surroundings of The Proud Gallery provide the fashionista crowd and Annie a feel akin to what I imagine a high school prom would be like. This time around she is complemented with a full band set up, which gives the songs a lot more room to breathe. Forthcoming single, "I know your girlfriend hates me", is transformed into an extended dancefloor filler, with Annie joined by a troupe of female dancers. They don't look too dissimilar to the girls featured Robert Palmer's iconic "Addicted to love" video. At the song's climax lollipops are handed out to the crowd, adding to her sugary sweet appeal. Annie is totally self-assured, a prom queen conducting her band and the crowd with her slightly pervy red gloves. The new songs are a bit of a mixed bag. "My love is better", with its choppy guitars, errs very slightly towards bland territory but "Songs remind me of you" could well be a monster hit in waiting. Starting out as a disco stomper and building up into an enormous four-by-four breakdown, it ticks all the boxes of a club banger. It's not rocket science. Just don't tell that to the heaving masses of gurning, grinning fools partying like it's 1999.

Tonight Annie passed the hipster test, but now she needs to prove she can cross over to the mainstream. Getting Xenomania on board (the production team behind Girls Aloud) signifies her intentions. However, whether she can throw down the gauntlet and challenge Robyn as the queen of Scandi pop is another matter entirely.]]> Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23006 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23006 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/23006#comments Fluxblog on the new Annie single "I know ur girlfriend hates me": http://www.fluxblog.org/2008/06/cold-and-sadistic.html
Personally, I don't really understand the fuss as I find Annie's voice to be entirely unremarkable. Decent production does not make up for it.

This gig is their debut UK headline show, and has been so furiously marketed by the promoter that The Luminaire is practically full to the rafters in anticipation of a set by a group unknown to the general London tastemakers/gig going public. Initially, the most striking thing about Datarock is their iconic red tracksuits. There are three core members of the band, however tonight they are joined on stage by fellow Norwegian band Ungdomskulen. As a live prospect, Datarock create a real party atmosphere with the core of the band taking care of drums, synths and guitar/vocal duties, whilst the other five or so bodies scattered across the stage jump up and down and generally lark about in their hooded tracksuit tops, occasionally joining in on backing vocals.

Possibly the best comparison one can make to Datarock is calling them an asexual Scissor Sisters. Their lyrics are overtly sexual, but if anything act as a rejection of sexuality. For example, take the album opener "Bulldozer" which carries the chant "BMX is better than sex," or "Sex me up" in which Fredrik Saroea screams that if you "sex him up," he'll "sex you down."

The band save their best tune (and surely future single) "Fa-fa-fa" for till the end. Featured on Annie's "DJ Kicks" compilation from last year, "Fa-fa-fa" (with it's incessantly funky riffing) is like a suped-up Tom Tom Club for the 21st Century. The backing vocals are left to the audience, whilst the ringer members of the band takes care of the stupid dancing. Datarock leave the stage to "I've had the time of my life" being played over the PA, and it suddenly becomes obvious that Datarock will be the name to drop in tastemaker circles this summer.
- Nick Levine

]]> Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700 articles reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6403 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6403 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6403#comments Norwegian pop sensation Annie is working on her next album. Collaborators are said to include Richard X (who also worked on her first record "Anniemal"), James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and French techno producer Alan Braxe. Look for the first single "Crush" to be released this summer. Also slated to appear on the record is a cover of "Two of hearts" by Stacy Q.]]> Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25561-interview-the-horror-the-horror http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25561-interview-the-horror-the-horror http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25561-interview-the-horror-the-horror#comments 30 Questions with The Horror The Horror

The Horror The Horror first caught my ear with their standout contribution to an already stellar compilation - "Songs we have learned to sing" for Velvet Klubb/student radio in Uppsala, which I reviewed in June '05. That song is "Sound of sirens," and I stand by what I called it then, "an insanely catchy slice of indie rock." The Stockholm-based group has had a busy eight months since then, signing with German label Tapete, recording their debut album and touring Germany. The re-recorded version of "Sound of sirens" is on the FM4 chart in Austria, and second single "I blame the sun" can't be far behind.

The self-titled album has just been released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with Sweden and Benelux releases expected soon. The UK is also buzzing for The Horror The Horror, with lots of talk of a bidding war. Once you hear the record, you'll know why. From the stop-and-start of "Ipanema" to the laid-back opener "De-evolution according to THTH," the album showcases the band's knack for wrapping melodies and hooks galore around the vocal/lyric talents of Joel Lindström and the complementary guitars of Johan Jansson and Mattias Axelsson. The group will be touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland in March and April.
- Matthew W. Smith

Collective answers are labelled as THTH. Individual answers have the initials of the particular band member:
Jakob Frodell - drums
Johan Jansson - guitars, vocals
Joel Lindström - vocals
Patrik Thorngren - bass
Mattias Axelsson - guitars, vocals

01. The band started in 2002. How long had you known each other, and what brought the band together?

THTH: Actually we started out earlier than 2002, we just did our first shows in 2002. We all met in Uppsala and we have known each other for some time before we started the band. Some of us played together earlier on, in local bands. We just had some good timing that we all were out of bands at approximately the same time and we just wanted the fun of hanging out and making some sweet music. So initially we just played for fun whenever there was time - we didn't even have our own rehearsal space. But as the music got better and better we also became more serious about the band and the music we made. After a while we felt we needed a second guitarist to do the songs justice, so in early 2003 Johan came into the band and things kind of fell into place from then on.

02. Who picked out the name?

THTH: I don't think we really know who initially picked out the name, it's just an expression we use from time to time describing the state of things when you are out of money or out of love or something like that. And also we like Joseph Conrad and "Apocalypse now!"

03. Since you started out on the Stockholm club scene, what's been your favorite gig you've played so far in the city?

THTH: It must be when we played Fritz's Corner at Debaser for the first time in 2003 because it's a really good club and the venue is good too, with good sound, and the crowd just got really into it in a way that was new to us. And also they gave us lamb filet with some pretty nice red wine-sauce to go with it (pretty nice I must say) and that has not happened since. You know it's all cous-cous and pasta salads usually.

04. Do you/did you play any covers?

THTH: We haven't done it yet, but we have discussed doing various songs from different artists like Hüsker Dü, Annie, PiL, and Echo and the Bunnymen, among others. (However we have been known to steal as much as possible from other artists.)

05. How did you get involved with the Velvet/Songs We Have Learned To Sing compilation?

THTH: We played the Club Velvet in Uppsala last spring and they put together that compilation of bands that had been playing there.

06. The word is Tapete signed you on the spot after a gig. How did that relationship start?

THTH: A fan/friend from Germany told us that Tapete could be a good label for us (thanks again Michael!), so we sent them an e-mail with a link to our site, and they downloaded our demo-songs. A couple of months later their A&R guy came up to Sthlm and saw our show at this small club. Apparently they liked it. This is probably not a good tip for new bands though - the record label people told me that's the first time they even followed a link like that, so it must have been fate...

07. For your first single, you re-recorded "Sound of sirens." Did you approach it any differently the second time around? Tweak it at all?

THTH: Basically we played it faster on the new version. And I think one guitar line on the bridge is a bit different. And we forgot to put the tambourine in the mix on the remake.

08. Did you know producer Martin "Konie" Ehrencrona before making the record? How did his production style help the songs?

THTH: Patrik knew him from before and the others only knew of him. He has the same kind of approach as we do to music, just to try to keep it simple. No unnecessary overdubs when it doesn't fill a purpuse and so on. His studio is completely analogue which gives a more direct kind of working process than in a digital studio, more based on playing good and less on mixing and using effects and stuff afterwards to make it shine.

09. How do your songs usually develop? Does one guy bring a hook or a riff, and everyone piles on to it? Or is it more spontaneous?

THTH: Usually one of us comes up with a guitar phrase or hook of some kind and then the others copy and innovate, add their own ideas into the mix and when we get the right feel to it the lyrics are added. Sometimes the ideas are quite developed from the beginning and sometimes not. However, a lot of the songwriting process takes place in the rehearsal room.

10. Joel, how would you describe the experience of writing lyrics in a language other than your mother tongue?

JL: I had a good English teacher in TV, cinema, novels and music of course. I have mostly been listening to British and American music for all my life so it feels kind of natural to me. And really, English is the language of pop and rock music, isn't it? Also, I find it easier to be honest writing the lyrics in English. The language makes kind of a filter that gives me a certain kind of security and distance to the material which makes it easier being direct and less embarrassing being true.

11. Do you foresee writing/recording any Swedish-language music?

THTH: No.

12. The big hooks really stand out in your songs. Is it a conscious thing, or do the melodies just come to the surface as the song takes shape?

THTH: You think? The melodies are just something that comes out of the bank of melodies that I have stuffed my head with, over the years. The melodies reflect the feeling I get from the beat and the harmonies and the attitude of what the band is playing.

13. Which song on the album has changed the most since you first started writing it--and how?

THTH: Oh, it's so hard to tell because some of the songs started out as something completely different than what they are now. On some tracks we might have only kept one bass line from the initial idea so that is a pretty big change I guess, when you through away a whole verse and chorus and only keep the bass line. But probably "Twice in a lifetime" changed the most in a way becuse we only had one guitarist when we started making it and we felt it really needed those twin-guitar things. And also when Patrik came up with that super-cool bass line, that wasn't there from the beginning, it really made the song!

14. "This is a lovesong" is a great song to end the album with, with the staccato guitar and tempo changes. Is there a chance it could be the next single?

THTH: Thanks, we thought so too. We haven't decided on the next single yet. It is one of the songs still in discussion though.

15. The first single "Sound of sirens" is on the radio charts in Austria, and you played there recently. How was the show, and how have things taken off for you in that country?

THTH: The show was really mindblowingly strange and overwhelming. To play in front of 2,000-3,000 people on an enormous stage, outdoors in January, broadcast live on national radio, is a really strange thing. We have only played relatively small clubs before, you know. However, the crowd really seemed to enjoy the show, dancing and screaming, and we know the radio station is playing our songs, but we don't really know that much more about what is happening. We will just have to wait and see.

16. You're touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland in March and April. Will you have more touring plans for later in the year?

THTH: We have plans to tour Sweden and Benelux this spring and the UK and some summer festivals hopefully. About this fall we don't know yet. We do know they want us back in Germany for the fall, though.

17. Is a UK release for the album in the works?

THTH: It is absolutely. We are choosing between different labels and distributors as we speak so we can't really tell who will be distributing the thing yet.

18. The promo single for "I blame the sun" has a demo track called "I lost my girl to alcohol." Is there a chance you'll re-record it for the next album?

THTH: Don't know, nothing planned for that yet. But we would like to record the second album as soon as possible.

19. Speaking of which, have you written new songs since the album was finished? Are you able to write on tour?

THTH: Yeah, we are writing new material all the time, really cool stuff of course. But not on tour so far. It's hard to play the guitar in a mini-van.

20. Jakob, your favorite drummer is Hal Blaine. What are your favorite songs that he's played on?

JF: Besides the stuff he did for the Beach Boys & Phil Spector, a big favourite is "Someday man" with Paul Williams.

21. Joel, working in a record store, do you often get inspiration/ideas for your own music while you're there?

JL: Yeah, sure I get a lot of inspiration as to stuff I can steal and put into our songs. But really it's no different from when I'm listening to music at home. And also in the record store I'm of course forced to listen to a lot of crap music. Sometimes I feel it's kind of embarrassing knowing as much about stuff like the follow up-single of Lou Bega or Venga Boys, as I do, but I still like to show it off whenever I can.

22. Mattias, since you're a fan of the "The office", how do you rate David Brent's talents as a musician and video artist in "The office special"?

MA: It was astonishing. Whatever he tries out, it is always a blast. A work of a genius.

23. Johan, I'm also a big fan of the first 3 bands/artists on your list of those you listen to. So, what are your favorite tunes by Ride, Supergrass and Desmond Dekker?

JJ: Ride - "Drive blind" (it was music like this that made me start my first indie band)
Supergrass - "Sun hits the sky" (A delightful combination of energy and melody)
Desmond Dekker - "Israelites" (I know this might be too obvious a choice, but the song just makes me want to dance and sing)

24. Patrik, who are your favorite bassists?

PT: Charles Mingus.

25. Everyone: what are your top 3 albums of 2005?

JL: Animal Collective
LCD Soundsystem
Broken Social Scene

MA: Pernice Brothers - Discover a Lovelier You
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Handsomeboy Technique - Adelie Land

JJ: M.I.A. - Arular
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene

PT: Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Hot Snakes last album, I don't know if that came out last year but it is a killer. Otherwise last year didn't provide any good albums. Sad but true.

JF: Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Pernice Brothers - Discover a lovelier you
Jenny Wilson - Love & youth

26. How is the atmosphere being a band based in Stockholm? Do the bands/clubs have a good support system? [I'm only familiar with Accelerator, which I went to in '03 and '04.]

THTH: There are a few clubs to play. Debaser is basically the best place and has been for the last couple of years with a lot of different clubs. They will have to close down though because they are rebuilding the part of Stockholm where it's located. I think they will relocate somehow though. And Mondo was a big place which recently shut down, because they had been serving drinks to 14-year-olds and they didn't pay their bills... So the future is kind of uncertain but there are newer places like Street with new good clubs and a there lot of smaller ones like Landet and Ove med Skägget, so it will be good.

27. Since at least several of you are football fans, how much hype do you think that first round Sweden-England match will get in the World Cup this summer? Seems like it's been since the 1960s since England beat Sverige...

THTH: Oh, it will be a big hype alright with Svennis being sacked after the World Cup and everything. Sweden 3 England 1. But the big hype will be about us playing at halftime (hopefully, eh, not completely confirmed yet ;-).

28. What positive aspects do you see in being a Swedish band?

THTH: It seems like some people in other countries find us a bit more interesting and exotic than their local acts, because they make a point about us being Swedish. But it's hard to tell. We have never been from another country so we have nothing to compare with, really. I guess. I have noticed that certain fans seems to be really interested in the nationality of bands even more than which genre of music the bands are playing which is pretty strange, but if it helps us in any way it must be a good thing.

And also we get government funding that pays a small part of the rent for our rehearsal space, which is a good thing about being Swedish.

29. What's the most frustrating thing about being a Swedish band?

THTH: Some of the places we want to play are pretty far to travel to. That is a bit frustrating. You know Sweden is a bit out of the way wherever you are going.

30. Last, what do you hope to be able to say about The Horror The Horror at the end of the year?

THTH: We are all alive and well and we are friends and we are making some wonderful music and, oh, funny thing how we conquered the world so rapidly.

.:About the author:

Matthew W. Smith is a writer/editor based in Richmond, VA.

]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7243 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7243 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7243#comments Scandinavians in the 2005 Pazz and Jop top album chart: Dungen (#31), Annie (#48), Sigur Rós (#50), Opeth (#79), Robyn (#80), José González (#158), Shout Out Louds (#161). Robyn's "Be mine" is #48 on the single chart with Annie charting at #88 and #112 for "Heartbeat" and "Chewing gum" respectively.]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26313-paris-secrets-on-tape-parismusic-v2 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26313-paris-secrets-on-tape-parismusic-v2 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26313-paris-secrets-on-tape-parismusic-v2#comments Paris. That is, bands LIKE Paris that are pretty good, pretty talented, pretty nice to listen to, but somehow a little less than transcendent. This Swedish quartet have made a second album that would be the envy of many lesser bands. The rhythm section is crack, and Annika's pipes are pleasing if sorta rote. Tunes alternate between ringing indie rock ala Elastica, Ladytron and a few others, and Annie-esque dance-pop like "60 minutes" and "Ladies man." And I dig the chiming guitars and retro-delica feel of "Something has to be done" very much. It all sounds dandy on the car stereo as you're zipping down the road, but I don't know...I just wasn't moved by Paris much. The down side of there being so many superb bands in Sweden is that you can be a perfectly fine little outfit, but if you don't have that extra edge, you suffer by comparison. And I just don't hear the edge in this band...not yet. Still better than lots of similar British and American bands, though. Maybe it'll be a grower, we'll see...]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25543-top-10s-for-2005-roni-brunn http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25543-top-10s-for-2005-roni-brunn http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25543-top-10s-for-2005-roni-brunn#comments Cover art top 10:

(Presented in an order that looks good)

This witty, clean cover gives a new way to look at a veteran band, all with just a basic font, one color, and judicious use of capitals.

If Braun were to re-issue some of its 1960s electronics, say, a radio, this scheme would work for the packaging. In my world, there are few better design compliments.

It would have been enough for me that the cover looks a lot like 50s jazz album art, but it's not strictly an homage. I love the tighter interplay between the letters and graphic shapes in this piece -- sometimes the shapes complement each other, sometimes the proportions are syncopated to carve spaces out. In a way, it's a lot like the interaction between lyrics and accompaniment.

it's hard to use hearts in a way that's not trite and cliché, and the fact that the cover's not cute slightly hints at the title song's theme. The background integrates well with the text and is very effective graphically.

I might have picked this one because it reminds me of Crowded House covers, or maybe it's here as a reaction to too many tightly spaced, thinly outlined illustrations that graced album covers recently (e.g., Annie's "Anniemal", Isolée's "Wearemonster", Architecture in Helsinki's "In case we die", Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's s/t, Arcade Fire's "Funeral", Beck's "Guero", Sufjan Stevens' "Illinois", Devendra Banhart's "Rejoicing in the Hands", Decemberists' "Picaresque"). Beyond that, I'm into limited color palettes, I think the composition works dynamically, and I like how the buildings are generic and specific at the same time.

While I dislike listening to recordings of performances -- what's the point? -- I do think images can capture the live experience. This one does in the spontaneous feel of its seemingly arbitrary framing and wildly distorted coloring. Emotional appeal aside, the controlled palette and division of space just work, and the elements are nicely scaled.

The photo's high contrast evokes the texture of oil paint, the perspective plays off the lights nicely, and I like that the walls' primary details are decay.

This photo doesn't reveal its age -- it could have been taken 50 years ago or today; could have been shot in the morning or afternoon, and time frame is only one of many contextual features that are elegantly absent from this minimal image. The font choices echo the visual themes nicely -- spiral, spindly script against lithe, vacant caps.

The clean composition and quirky photo first appealed to me, but on second glance, this cover reads as a minimal, surreal nature shot. Which I love. You've got dismembered shrubbery on the left, a vaguely sky hued upper left corner, and a hood pulled tightly. It almost inspires a hike.

Sometimes it's fun to see something trendy. This cover uses silhouettes and an off-kilter serif font, sure, but the essence of both elements is utilized with deliberation, carving out dynamic negative spaces with innate balance.


---------------------------

Roni Brunn is a regular IAT contributor.

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25537-top-10s-for-2005-matthew-w-smith http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25537-top-10s-for-2005-matthew-w-smith http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25537-top-10s-for-2005-matthew-w-smith#comments Nordic Top 10 of 2005 (with apologies to Iceland, the only Nordic country not represented on my list this year):

01. The Cardigans - "Super extra gravity" isn't quite as good as its predecessor, but that doesn't stop it from topping my list. Sonically, lyrically... the Cardies are on a roll. "I need some fine wine and you, you need to be nicer" was the perfect single to kick things off.

02. 22-Pistepirkko - "Drops & kicks" is a fine record by the veteran Finns, with "Not so good at school" the rave-up of the year. The production by Kalle Gustafsson is spot on, as are quirky vocals by P.K. Keränen.

03. The Lionheart Brothers - With a re-release of "White angel black apple" that included the EP "Colour contrast context", this Norwegian band showed off both melancholy symphonic pop and plugged-in, spacey rock on the same excellent disc.

04. The Horror, The Horror - A Stockholm band to keep an eye on, THTH contributed "Sound of sirens" to a small compilation and then re-recorded it for its debut release on Tapete Records. "I blame the sun" is the next single.

05. Kings of Convenience - I saw them on a snowy February night in Virginia and a sunny June evening in Italy, a perfect juxtaposition. Eirik and Erlend put on two sterling performances for respectful crowds. Quiet is still the new loud.

06. The Raveonettes - I love the album they released in 2005 ("Pretty in black"), with its blissful Ronnie Spector collaboration ("Ode to L.A.") and typical fuzzy fury ("Somewhere in Texas"). In concert in Washington, the Danes' newly expanded lineup pounded eardrums into submission with an effective set.

07. Annie - A guilty pleasure for some and a plain pop masterpiece for others, Annie's "Anniemal" album deserved the attention it received for its sugary sweet blending of electronica and pop. I like "Me plus one" better than the hyped "Heartbeat."

08. Sharif - "Lost causes, causes lost" was a welcome comeback for this Malmö band. Its fragile feeling and simple arrangements combined to make this one of the most consistent records I heard all year.

09. Loopy - This Copenhagen-based quartet got "Smile back home" released both in Europe and the USA, the latter courtesy of Zip. "Never loud" is a catchy single made of both shoegazer and pop, and I'm hoping the group will play some shows in North America in 2006.

10. The Blue Van - Sure, most people have had their fill of garage rock over the last few years, but "The art of rolling" shows that rural Danes influenced by The Pretty Things can stomp them out with vintage gear with the best of them. Soren Christensen's organ fills really make the album kick.


---------------------------

Besides being a regular IAT contributor, Matthew W. Smith is a writer/editor based in Richmond, VA, and currently freezing on vacation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8094 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8094 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8094#comments The nominees for this year's Alarm awards, the alternative to the Spellemansprisen (Norway's version of the Grammy):

Rock:
Richochets - Isolation
Madrugada - The Deep End
Serena-Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh
JR Ewing - Maelstrom
My Midnight Creeps - My Midnight Creeps

Pop:
Ane Brun - A Temporary Dive
Loch Ness Mouse - 11-22
Maria Mena - Apparently Unaffected
Anja Garbarek - Briefly Shaking
Sofian - This Is Sofian

Metal:
Stonegard - Arrows
Grimfist - 10 Steps To Hell
El Caco - The Search
Scum - Gospel For The Sick
Solefald - Red For Fire

Hip-hop:
Paperboys - When Worlds Collide
Cast - Problembarn
Onkl P - Det kunne vært deg
Warlocks - The Never Ending Story
Tommy Tee - Tommy Tycker Om Mej

Free music/electronica:
Jaga Jazzist - What We Must
Cloroform - Cracked Wide Open
Toy - Toy
Supersilent - 7
Alog - Miniatures

Club:
Røyksopp - The Understanding
Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - Lindtrøm & Prins Thomas
Datarock - Datarock Datarock
Annie - DJ Kicks
Future Prophecies - Warlords Rising

Jazz:
Kornstad/Wiik - Eight Tunes We Like
Shining - In The Kingdom Of Kitch
The Thing - Live At Blå
Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Ground
Atomic - Bikini Tapes

Song:
Madrugada - The Kids Are On High Street
Röyksopp - What Else Is There
Ane Brun - My Lover Will Go
Superfamily - Taxi Dancing
Mira Craig - Boogieman

Live:
Madrugada
Turbonegro
Purified in Blood
Richochets
Kaizers Orchestra

Newcomer of the year:
My Midnight Creeps
Mira Craig
Sofian
Superfamily
Animal Alpha

Vote for your favorites here: http://www.alarmprisen.no/]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8423 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8423 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8423#comments The Annie track "The wedding" from her DJ-Kicks collect finally convinces Pitchfork scribe Dominique Leone that maybe her hype was worthwhile after all: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/tracks/05-11-02.shtml]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25504-live-report-tack-tack-tack-heavenly-social-london-uk-10-24-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25504-live-report-tack-tack-tack-heavenly-social-london-uk-10-24-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25504-live-report-tack-tack-tack-heavenly-social-london-uk-10-24-05#comments Three years ago, whilst living in Brighton I jokingly remarked to my housemate that I had enough records to put on a purely Swedish club night. Shortly after leaving Brighton in the summer of 2004 a new club night called Sweden Made Me started up, which proved to be an instant success. Fast forward to the spring of 2005, and Avi (the editor of this very site), put me in contact with Simon, another London-based It's A Trap writer. I propositioned the idea of putting on a night of live Swedish music in London, with purely Swedish records played between the bands. One of the main reasons behind wanting to start the night up was the frustration of watching leading Swedish artists playing to a room of ten people at venues like the Camden Barfly. By the time the launch night took place we also had Jason Christie, the UK representative of Adrian Records on board.

Anyway, back to the present. The launch night of Tack! Tack! Tack! took place on Monday 24th October at The Heavenly Social. Playing live we had The Legends and Cat 5, whilst Jon and Seb from The Pipettes DJ'ed. Although The Pipettes are English, it was appropriate they DJ'ed as they are one of a handful of new English bands who are starting to gain a following in Sweden before getting a national following in their home country. This point only further illustrates how forward thinking Sweden is.

The pairing of Cat 5 and The Legends worked perfectly as it made it hard for people to pigeonhole the night. Whilst it would be easy to accuse Cat 5 of being frothy pop, I rate them as having the potential to be at the forefront in the resurgence of quality pop alongside Norway's Annie, and any other pop acts produced by Richard X or credible dance producers. To boot, Tack! Tack! Tack! is a pop night after all. Indie pop, electro pop: it's all pop music right? Considering Cat 5 haven't released any records in the UK before, they went down pretty well. I'd be surprised if "Sexy" wasn't an underground hit in the UK.

It was a privilege to have The Legends play what I believe to be their first ever gig in the UK. Their set was heavily biased towards their new long player "Public radio", but it was also nice to get "Call it ours" and "The kids just wanna have fun" from the first album too. Whilst the influences of Joy Division, New Order, The Cure et al on the new album are spot on, I think such reference points would have gone down better in the UK a couple of years ago. As I mentioned in my IAT review of "Public radio", The Legends are able to ape these influences better than any of their peers, but such reference points seem a bit old hat in 2005. Anyway, apparently they are already working on songs for their third album so it would be foolish to write off already.

All in all, the first Tack! Tack! Tack! was a great success. We had national and international press coverage, the 150 capacity venue sold out and consisted a good mixture of scenesters, Swedes, Swedophiles, and the generally curious.

The next night is one 14 November with The Lovekevins, We Are Soldiers We Have Guns, and The Fine Arts Showcase. We want to continue to promote quality Swedish music in the UK. If you'd like to help out please get in contact at our MySpace page or by email.
- Nick Levine

]]> Sun, 30 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700 articles reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/8493#comments NYC dance party Le One Night Stand is putting on a special Scandinavian-themed night on November 10 at Bar 13. Cover is free and guest DJ Miss Fiona Sand from Norway will be spinning. There will also be giveaways of new music from artists such as Annie, Shout Out Louds, Surferosa, The Knife, Tiger Baby, Mew and Datarock. More info: http://www.myspace.com/leonenightstand]]> Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9028 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9028 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9028#comments Play Annie Tetris: http://games.annieverse.com/tetris/]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9347 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9347 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9347#comments Splendid gives their take on Annie: http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=11238396391880029]]> Wed, 24 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9538 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9538 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9538#comments Said the Gramophone posts tracks from Robyn and Sigur Rós: http://www.saidthegramophone.com/archives/two_delicious_pops.php
I don't mean to get carried away with all the recent hype, but I have to agree that the Robyn album is a damn fine pop record. I actually think that "Crash and burn girl" (which Fluxblog posted recently) is one of the weaker tracks, so if you like that, you'll definitely dig the rest. Far better than Annie too, IMHO.]]> Wed, 10 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9594 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9594 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9594#comments Pitchfork has some info on Annie's upcoming DJ Kicks mix disc and some upcoming tourdates in the US with fellow Norwegians Röyksopp: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-08/05.shtml]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9679 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9679 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9679#comments PopMatters interviews Annie: http://popmatters.com/music/interviews/annie-050728.shtml]]> Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9752 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9752 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9752#comments Pitchfork reviews Annie's live show in Chicago from June 30: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/features/live/a/annie-05/]]> Thu, 21 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9768 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9768 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9768#comments Fluxblog has a new unreleased track from Annie for download: http://www.fluxblog.org/2005/07/youre-in-sleepless-dream-annie-and.html]]> Wed, 20 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9781 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9781 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9781#comments I wouldn't normally mention something like this, but since it's a slow news day: Splendid is reporting that Ben Gibbard (Death Cab, Postal Service) and Norwegian pop princess Annie are an item. Gasp! (oh, and be sure to read the disclaimer)]]> Tue, 19 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9944 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9944 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9944#comments The SF Bay Guardian interviews Annie: http://www.sfbg.com/39/39/art_music_heartbeat.html]]> Wed, 29 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9993 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9993 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/9993#comments Updated info for Annie's "sweetest fucking tour of the summer":

06/28 - Hiro Ballroom, New York, NY
06/29 - Scenic, New York, NY
06/30 - Sonotheque, Chicago, IL
07/01 - Mighty, San Francisco, CA
07/02 - Virgin Sunset Instore, Los Angeles, CA
07/03 - Standard Downtown Rooftop, Los Angeles, CA
07/05 - Cinespace, Los Angeles, CA

I'd go myself, but the SF date is the day I'm moving to Washington state. Anyhow, if you're interested there's more detailed info here: http://www.vice-recordings.com/annie/]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26516-annie-live-koko-london-06-16-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26516-annie-live-koko-london-06-16-05 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26516-annie-live-koko-london-06-16-05#comments Annie performed her debut London gig at this incredibly plush venue on one of the first stifling hot nights of the year. After a smattering of DJ appearances earlier in the year, Annie's first London live performance was well anticipated. Although, only billed as the support to St. Etienne, the venue was packed to the rafters by the time Annie hit the stage. Accompanied by a DJ who introduced her by playing a Blondie record, Annie was clad in a down to earth floaty white top and black jeans. This non-pretentious appearance acted as a subtle sign that Annie is destined the masses, and not just for the style and fashion press. In this sense, it's hard to understand how her debut album "Anniemal" has failed to crossover at present. In her performance we are treated to gems such as the perfect pop of "Chewing gum" and "Heartbeat", Pitchfork's favourite song of last year. The live airing of "Chewing gum" featured a cute exchange between Annie and her DJ, via use of a vocoder. Alongside the standout songs on "Anniemal", a couple of new songs are played including one featuring the repeated line "Will you marry me," accompanied by some cheeky finger pointing at the crowd. Ultimately, these songs are dance music with an added pop sensibility. Tonight the people wanted to dance, something which the absurdly busy nature of the venue did ill afford]]> Thu, 23 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10016 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10016 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10016#comments PopMatters posts two reviews of Annie: one / two]]> Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10054 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10054 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10054#comments Pitchfork interviews hyped Norwegian pop princess Annie: http://pitchforkmedia.com/interviews/a/annie-05/]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10083 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10083 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10083#comments The lineup for the Iceland Airwaves festival in October has been announced: http://www.icelandairwaves.com/news.asp?newsID=59&pageID=14
Scandinavian artists include The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Annie and José González along with local Icelandic acts Nine Elevens, Ampop, Apparat Organ Quartet, Bang Gang, Brain Police, Deep Jimi, Dr. Discoshrimp, Dikta, Eberg, Forgotten Lores, Gus Gus, Hairdoctor, Hjálmar, Jagúar, Jan Mayen, Leaves, Kimono, Mínus, Rass, Sign, Ske, Vinyl and Without Gravity.]]> Thu, 16 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10278 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10278 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10278#comments The Baltimore City Paper talks to Norwegian pop starlet Annie: http://www.citypaper.com/music/story.asp?id=10019]]> Thu, 02 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10376 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10376 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10376#comments Hyped Norwegian pop singer Annie is doing a bunch of DJ gigs along with Timo Kaukolampi in the US starting at the end of June. And, as Pitchfork says, she will indeed step up to "rock the mic" at said gigs, too. Her full tour schedule:

06/03 - 333 , London, England w/Raiders of the Lost Arp
06/04 - Mish Mash @ Cargo , London, England w/Caged Baby
06/05 - Horse Meat Disco @ Dukes Vauxhall, London (UK)
06/15 - Concorde 2, Brighton (UK) w/Saint Etienne
06/16 - Koko, London (UK) w/Saint Etienne
06/17 - ABC, Glasgow (SCO) w/Saint Etienne
06/28 - Hiro Ballroom, New York, NY
06/29 - Scenic, New York, NY
06/30 - Sonotheque, Chicago, IL
07/01 - Mighty, San Francisco, CA
07/02 - tba, Los Angeles, CA
07/03 - Standard Downtown Rooftop, Los Angeles, CA
07/05 - Cinespace, Los Angeles, CA]]> Wed, 25 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10729 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10729 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10729#comments The New York Times profiles Annie: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/arts/music/01rose.html?]]> Mon, 02 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10912 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10912 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/10912#comments Coolfer relays (mostly) disappointing reviews from Annie's recent hyped show in NYC: http://www.coolfer.com/blog/archives/2005/04/its_a_hard_knoc.html]]> Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11059 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11059 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11059#comments Hyped Norwegian pop artist Annie will be doing a special DJ recording billed as an alternative to a live act. She'll be working with Finnish producer Timo Kaukolampi (And the Lefthanded, Op:l Bastards) to create a mix called "The Annie Mix - Decks, Beatbox and Vox" that will feature her own music interspersed with other artists along with sampler work, effects and her vocals. Their label says it will be "a severly tight and very dancy crossover set between 60 and 120mins of electro, rock and disco and will be available throughout the summer." More info soon?]]> Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11213 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11213 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11213#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
02. Smak - Hallanvaara
03. Darin - Money For Nothing
04. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
05. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again
06. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
07. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
08. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
09. In Flames - Touch Of Red
10. Annie - My Heartbeat
11. The 69 Eyes - Lost Boys
12. Beats And Styles - Two White Monkeys
13. LAB - When Heaven Gets Dirty
14. Sugarplum Fairy - Far Away From Man
15. Moder Jords Massiva - Fast Attack/ Slow Decay
16. Mendez - Is That Ok
17. Husky Rescue - City Lights
18. Jim Stärk - Morning Song
19. Håkan Hellström - En Midsommarnattsdröm
20. Deportees - Champagne

Challengers:
01. Elin Sigvardsson - Stupid Sunday Song
02. The Margarets - Surf Alone
03. Anna Ternheim - My Secret
04. Simone - Last Days And Nights Of Rock'n'Roll
05. Angu - Red Light

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11282 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11282 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11282#comments Norway's Annie will have her acclaimed album "Anniemal" released in the US on May 24 via Big Beat/Atltanic.]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11302 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11302 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11302#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Smak - Hallanvaara
02. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
03. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again
04. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
05. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
06. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
07. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
08. Annie - My Heartbeat
09. Håkan Hellström - En Midsommarnattsdröm
10. Husky Rescue - City Lights
11. In Flames - Touch Of Red
12. LAB - When Heaven Gets Dirty
13. The 69 Eyes - Lost Boys
14. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
15. Darin - Money For Nothing
16. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
17. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
18. Pain - Same Old Song
19. Moder Jords Massiva - Fast Attack/ Slow Decay
20. Gubb - Om Änglar Finns

Challengers:
01. Mendez - Is That Ok
02. Deportees - Champagne
03. Sugarplum Fairy - Far Away From Man
04. Jim Stärk - Morning Song
05. Beats And Styles - Two White Monkeys

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11339 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11339 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11339#comments Norway's Annie is reportedly coming over to NYC in mid-April to do a DJ gig/live appearance. Details tbc.]]> Fri, 11 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11406 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11406 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11406#comments No big surprise here: Norway's Annie is chalking up great reviews in the UK where her album "Anniemal" was just released. Read the round-up from MIC Norway: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005030811304927428702]]> Tue, 08 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11426 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11426#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Smak - Hallanvaara
02. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
03. The 69 Eyes - Devils
04. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
05. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
06. In Flames - Touch Of Red
07. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
08. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
09. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again
10. Annie - My Heartbeat
11. Håkan Hellström - En Midsommarnattsdröm
12. Husky Rescue - City Lights
13. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
14. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
15. Various Danish Artists - Hvor Små Vi Er
16. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
17. Pain - Same Old Song
18. Gubb - Om Änglar Finns
19. Dreamboy - Uncalled For
20. LAB - When Heaven Gets Dirty

Challengers:
01. K-Laz - The Reason
02. Moder Jords Massiva - Fast Attack/ Slow Decay
03. Darin - Money For Nothing
04. Nathalie Nordnes - Cars And Boys
05. The 69 Eyes - Lost Boys

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11432 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11432 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11432#comments The Daily Telegraph interviews Annie: http://news.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/03/03/bmwest03.xml]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11493 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11493#comments MIC Norway profiles Annie yet again, this time for the highly anticipated international release of her album "Anniemal": http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005030212282335406271]]> Wed, 02 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11508 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11508 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11508#comments Fluxblog posts a track from Bertine Zetlitz today: http://www.fluxblog.org/2005/03/tell-me-are-we-having-fun-howling-hex.html
Considering all the hype poured onto Annie by Flux and other mp3 blogs, I'm thinking Bertine is next in line.]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11529 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11529 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11529#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. In Flames - Touch Of Red
02. Smak - Hallanvaara
03. The 69 Eyes - Devils
04. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
05. Pain - Same Old Song
06. Dreamboy - Uncalled For
07. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
08. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
09. Annie - My Heartbeat
10. Husky Rescue - City Lights
11. Embee / Vanessa Liftig - Not Tonite
12. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
13. Kapasiteettiyksikkö - Usko Parempaan
14. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
15. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
16. Kevin - Theme From Forever
17. Various Danish Artists - Hvor Små Vi Er
18. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
19. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
20. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again

Challengers:
01. Håkan Hellström - En Midsommarnattsdröm
02. Mando Diao - Down In The Past
03. Gubb - Om Änglar Finns
04. LAB - When Heaven Gets Dirty
05. Karen - Onsket

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11534 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11534 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11534#comments The winners of this year's Spellemannsprisen - the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammy - have been announced. Here's a few of the highlights:

Spellemann of the year: Odd Nordstoga
Male artist: Odd Nordstoga - "Luring"
Female artist: Sissy Wish - "You May Breathe..."
Newcomer: Annie - "Anniemal"
Video: Margaret Berger - "Lifetime Guarantee"
Pop group: The National Bank - "The National Bank"
Jazz: Solveig Slettahjell - "Silver"
Electronica/contemporary: Lars Horntvedt "Pooka"
Rock: WE - "Smugglers"
Metal: Enslaved - "Isa"
Open class: Frode Fjellheim - "Aejlies gaaltije - the sacred source"

Read more: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005022813205467507438]]> Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11614 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11614 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11614#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
02. In Flames - Touch Of Red
03. Smak - Hallanvaara
04. Pain - Same Old Song
05. The 69 Eyes - Devils
06. Dreamboy - Uncalled For
07. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
08. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
09. Annie - My Heartbeat
10. Husky Rescue - City Lights
11. Embee / Vanessa Liftig - Not Tonite
12. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
13. Kapasiteettiyksikkö - Usko Parempaan
14. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
15. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
16. Fibes Oh Fibes - One Hour Baby
17. Titiyo - Loving out of nothing
18. Kevin - Theme From Forever
19. Maria Arredondo - Burning
20. Various Danish Artists - Hvor Små Vi Er

Challengers:
01. Hammerfall - Bloodbound
02. Moneybrother - They're Building Walls Around Us
03. Lake Placid - This Air
04. Christian Walz - Never Be Afraid Again
05. Fountainheads - Perfect

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Tue, 22 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11664 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11664 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11664#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (05) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
03. (NY) Embee featuring José González & Supreme - "Send Someone Away"
04. (NY) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "... and the JFG"
05. (NY) The Soundtrack of Our Lives - "Heading for a Breakdown"
06. (07) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
07. (NY) Kent - "Max 500"
08. (02) Timo Räisänen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin it All"
08. (12) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
10. (14) New Order - "Krafty"
11. (09) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
12. (18) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
13. (NY) Razorlight - "Golden Touch"
14. (NY) Radio LXMBRG - "It's Cruel Up North"
15. (NY) Maximo Park - "Apply Some Pressure
16. (16) Mando Diao - "Down in the Past"
17. (17) Kristofer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (11) Stereo Total - "I am Naked", 3v
19. (06) Moneybrothers - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
20. (08) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"

Leaving the chart: Annie, Beck, Bloc Party, Bugz in the Attic, Johnossi, Little Barrie and M83.]]> Thu, 17 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11713 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11713 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11713#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
02. The 69 Eyes - Devils
03. In Flames - Touch Of Red
04. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
05. Embee / Vanessa Liftig - Not Tonite
06. Smak - Hallanvaara
07. Annie - My Heartbeat
08. Pain - Same Old Song
09. Husky Rescue - City Lights
10. Dreamboy - Uncalled For
11. Titiyo - Loving out of nothing
12. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
13. Kapasiteettiyksikkö - Usko Parempaan
14. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
15. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
16. Fibes Oh Fibes - One Hour Baby
17. Kurt Nilsen - My Street
18. Kevin - Theme From Forever
19. The Similou - All This Love
20. Maria Arredondo - Burning

Challengers:
01. Morten Abel - Our Love Is Deep
02. Laleh - Invisible
03. Jennie Löfgren - I Walk Alone
04. Lazyboy - Underwear Goes Inside The Pants
05. Various Danish Artists - Hvor Små Vi Er

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11769#comments The annual Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll is out and Scandinavian entries on the top album list include The Hives (#53), Dungen (#69), The Concretes (#80), Erlend Oye (#88), Annie (#90), Kings of Convenience (#101), Sahara Hotnights (#240), Luomo (#261) and Pan Sonic (#291). Read more: http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/04/]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11770 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11770 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11770#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (NY) Timo Räisänen - "Don't Let the Devil Ruin It All"
03. (NY) Beck - "Epro"
04. (02) Bloc Party - "So Here We Are"
05. (NY) Moby - "Lift Me Up"
06. (03) Moneybrother - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
07. (NY) Stereophonics - "Dakota"
08. (10) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
09. (09) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
10. (07) M83 - "Don't Save Us From the Flames"
11. (06) Stereo Total - "I am Naked"
12. (11) The Donnas - "I Don't Want to Know (If You Don't Want Me)"
13. (NY) Little Barrie - "Free Salute"
14. (12) New Order - "Krafty"
15. (05) Bugz in the Attic - "Booty La La"
16. (NY) Mando Diao - "Down in the Past"
17. (17) Kristoffer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (14) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
19. (18) Annie - "My Heartbeat"
20. (04) Johnossi - "Man Must Dance"

Leaving the chart: Timbuktu, Kasabian, Sage Francis, Le Tigre, Venue Kids and Miss Thing.]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11796 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11796 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11796#comments The winners of Norway's 2005 Alarm Awards:

Best electronica album: Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - "Your New Best Friends"
Best pop album: Annie - "Anniemal"
Best metal album: Enslaved - "ISA"
Best jazz album: Lars Horntvedt - "Pooka"
Best video: Kings of Convenience - "I’d Rather Dance With You"
Best song: Euroboys - "One-Way Street"
Best hip hop/rap album: Jaa9 & OnklP - "Sjåre Brymæ"
Best rock album: WE – "Smugglers"
Best live band: WE
Best newcomer: Annie
Alarmjuryens pris: Jim Stärk

For a full list of everyone who was nominated, go here: http://www.nrk.no/magasin/upunkt/musikk/4316676.html
Don't forget that both WE and Jim Stärk are featured on the "It's a trap! reader's companion" compilation which can be had for a mere $6. More info on the right.]]> Mon, 07 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11797 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11797 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11797#comments Here's this week's MTVe UpNorth video chart:

01. The 69 Eyes - Devils
02. The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
03. Johnny Deluxe - Vi Vil Ha Mer
04. In Flames - Touch Of Red
05. Thomas Dybdahl - A Lovestory
06. Embee / Vanessa Liftig - Not Tonite
07. Maria Solheim - The Snow Has Killed
08. Pain - Same Old Song
09. Tim Christensen - Lost and found
10. Kurt Nilsen - My Street
11. Titiyo - Loving out of nothing
12. The Similou - All This Love
13. Dreamboy - Uncalled For
14. Kapasiteettiyksikkö - Usko Parempaan
15. The Confusions - Don't Let the World Catch You Crying
16. Smak - Hallanvaara
17. Fibes Oh Fibes - One Hour Baby
18. Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Believe I've found
19. Kevin - Theme From Forever
20. Maria Arredondo - Burning

Challengers:
01. Amerika - Early Night
02. Annie - My Heartbeat
03. Stonebridge - Take Me Away
04. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö
05. Husky Rescue - City Lights

Go here to vote for your favorite.]]> Mon, 07 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11872 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11872 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11872#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's this week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (NY) 22 Pistepirkko - "Rat King"
02. (10) Bloc Party - "So Here We Are"
03. (15) Moneybrother - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
04. (06) Johnossi - "Man Must Dance"
05. (02) Bugz in the Attic - "Booty La La"
06. (NY) Stereo Total - "I am Naked"
07. (07) M83 - "Don't Save Us From the Flames"
08. (03) Kasabian - "Processed Beats"
09. (01) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
10. (04) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
11. (NY) The Donnas - "I don't Want to Know (If You don't Want Me)"
12. (NY) New Order - "Krafty"
13. (08) Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"
14. (NY) Sambassadeur - "Between the Lines"
15. (13) Sage Francis - "Sea Lion"
16. (11) Le Tigre - "TKO"
17. (NY) Kristoffer Åström & Hidden Truck - "The Good You Bring"
18. (09) Annie - "My Heartbeat"
19. (NY) Venue Kids - "Down & Out"
20. (NY) Miss Thing - "Jump Up & Rail"

Leaving the chart:
01. Doves - Black And White Town
02. Orishas - Naci Orishas
03. Acid House Kings - This Heart Is A Stone
04. The Radio Dept. - This Past Week
05. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
06. Hello Kinski - I've seen you around, what's your destination
07. Mr Jones Machine - Jaguar
08. The Chrysler - Blue Gold]]> Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11936 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11936 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11936#comments Here's this week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Vatten under broarna
02. Dark Tranquility - Character
03. The Ark - State of the Ark
04. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
05. Anna Ternheim - Somebody Outside
06. Fernandoz - Minnenas allé
07. Daniel Lindström - Daniel Lindström
08. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
09. Christian Walz - Paint by Numbers
10. Lasse Stefanz - Röd Chevrolet
11. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
12. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin vol. 1
13. Peter Jöback & Göteborgs symfoniker - Storybook
14. Uno Svenningsson - Ett andetag från dig
15. Melody Club - Face the Music
16. Totta Näslund - Totta 7: Soul!/På drift
17. Marie Fredriksson - The Change
18. Björn Afzelius & Mikael Wiehe - 1993 - Malmöinspelningarna
19. Arne Domnérus - Best of Dompan
20. Gyllene Tider - Finn 5 fel!

DJ Martian has the scoop on the 'Fresh Air at Fabric' one-day Norwegian music festial in London featuring performances by a wide range of artists including Annie, Magnet, Nils Petter Molvaer, Satyricon, Biosphere, WE and much more: http://djmartian.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_djmartian_archive.html#110677852973580507
Definitely something not to be missed.]]> Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11940 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11940 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/11940#comments Via Dagensskiva, here's the year's first top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (NY) Håkan Hellström - "En midsommarnattsdröm"
02. (NY) Bugz In The Attic - "Booty La La"
03. (NY) Kasabian - "Processed Beats"
04. (NY) Deportees - "Champagne Eyes"
05. (NY) Doves - "Black and White Town"
06. (NY) Johnossi - "Man Must Dance"
07. (NY) M83 - "Don't Save Us From the Flames"
08. (20) Timbuktu - "Champagne Eyes"
09. (NY) Annie - "My Heartbeat"
10. (NY) Bloc Party - "So Here We Are"
11. (NY) Le Tigre - "TKO"
12. (NY) Orishas - "Naci Orishas"
13. (NY) Sage Francis - "Sea Lion"
14. (12) Acid House Kings - "This Heart is a Stone"
15. (NY) Moneybrother - "They're Building Walls Around Us"
16. (NY) The Radio Dept - "This Past Week"
17. (NY) Eminem - "Like Toy Soldiers"
18. (NY) Hello Kinski - "I've Seen You Around, What's Your Destination"
19. (NY) Mr Jones Machine - "Jaguar"
20. (10) The Chrysler - "Blue Gold"]]> Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12007 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12007 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12007#comments The UK's OMM (Observer Music Monthly) picks Norway's Annie as one of their top five acts to watch in 2005: http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1395948,00.html]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12054 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12054 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12054#comments Here's this week's YLE/Morjen top 10 Nordic video chart:

01. Bitch Alert - Latenight lullaby (FIN)
02. Silver - Angels calling (NOR)
03. Neon - Liez (NOR)
04. The Ark - One of us is gonna die young (SWE)
05. Annie - Heartbeat (NOR)
06. Nasum - Wrath (SWE)
07. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Believe I've found (SWE)
08. Jonna - Sateen jälkeen (FIN)
09. Alias - Gör det igen (DK)
10. Gakko 3 - Club idiot saturday drive (FIN)

Challengers:
11. Korpiklaani - Hunting song (FIN)
12. Pain - Same old song (SWE)
13. Elin Lanto - I won't cry (SWE)]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12138 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12138 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12138#comments The YLE/Morjen top 10 Nordic video chart is back:

01. Bitch Alert - Latenight lullaby (FIN)
02. Bodies without organs - Sixteen tons of hardware (SWE)
03. Embee feat. Vanessa Liftig - Not tonite (SWE)
04. Jonna - Sateen jälkeen (FIN)
05. Nasum - Wrath (SWE)
06. Neon - Liez (NOR)
07. Alias - Gör det igen (DK)
08. Silver - Angels calling (NOR)
09. O.N.E. - One day (ICE)
10. The Soundtrack of our lives - Believe I've found (SWE)

Challengers:
11. Gakko 3 - Club idiot saturday drive (FIN)
12. The Ark - One of us is gonna die young (SWE)
13. Annie - Heartbeat (NOR)]]> Fri, 14 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12178 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12178 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12178#comments Stylus posts their 40 worst album list which includes media darlings Jens Lekman, Deathprod, Annie, Stina Nordenstam and more: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1403
It's actually the same list as their top 40 best albums, just with um slightly different commentary. Everyone loves to see the hyped acts taken down a notch. Also posted at Stylus today is a review of Scorch Trio: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=2651]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12235 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12235 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12235#comments The nominees for the 2005 Spellemannspris, Norway's equivalent to the Grammy, have been announced. Here's a selection of the categories:

Female artist:
Maria Solheim - "Frail"
Sissy Wish - "You May Breathe..."
Bertine Zetlitz - "Rollerskating"

Male artist:
William Hut - "Versus the End of Fashion Park"
Sondre Lerche - "Two Way Monologue"
Odd Nordstoga - "Luring"

Pop act:
Kings of Convenience - "Riot on an Empty Street"
The National Bank - "The National Bank"
Savoy - "Savoy"

Rock:
Gluecifer - "Automatic Thrill"
Gåte - "Iselilja"
Span - "Mass Distraction"
Tellusalie - "Tangerine Dreams"
WE - "Smugglers"

Electronica/contemporary:
Biosphere - "Autour de la lune"
Deathprod - "Morals and dogma"
Lars horntveth - "Pooka"
Lasse marhaug - "The shape of rock to come"

Metal:
Black Debbath - "Den femte statsmakt"
Enslaved - "Isa"
Mayhem - "Chimera"

Hip-hop/R&B:
Jaa9 & Onklp - "Sjåre brymæ"
Madcon - "It's all a madcon"
Tungtvann - "Iii:folket bak nordavind"

Jazz:
Børre Dalhaug - "Bigbandblast!"
Sharp 9 - "No:network"
Skomsork - "Skomsork"
Solveig Slettahjell - "Silver"
Petter Wettre - "Hallmark moments"

Open category:
Frode Fjellheim - "Aejlies gaaltije - the sacred source"
Karl Seglem - "Femstein"
Trygve Seim - "Sangam"
Susanna and the Magical Orchestra - "List of lights and buoys"
Transjoik - "Uja nami"

Music video:
Margaret Berger - "Lifetime guarantee"
Illumination feat. Anneli Drecker - "Kool karma"
Jim Stärk - "Morning song"
Kings of Convenience - "I'd rather dance with you"
Bertine Zetlitz - "Fake your beauty"

Newcomer of the year:
Annie - "Anniemal"
Margaret Berger - "Chameleon"
Madcon - "It's all a madcon"
Side Brok - "Høge brelle"
Span - "Mass distraction"

Hit of the year:
Erik Faber - "yesterday's call"
Jim Stärk - "Morning song"
Kurt Nilsen - "My street"
Odd Nordstoga - "Kveldssong for deg og meg"
Ravi & Dj Løv - "Dødsøt"

Winners will be announced on February 26. Read more: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2005010714073264546578]]> Fri, 07 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25450-top-10s-for-2004-iat-writers#comments 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 mattersThe album that just won't die. An updated take on shoegazing that teachers the originators a new trick or two. 02. Concretes - s/tIts beauty is in its subtlety and understated mystery. A real slow burner. 03. Annie - AnniemalPerfect 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 streetIn 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 dogA 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 IDid you think that TSOOL were going to let you down? Really?! 07. The Legends - Up against the LegendsModern 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 panicWhite soul that isn't embarrassing to listen to in public. 10. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #1 EPIntroductory 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. ---------------------------]]> 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.

---------------------------

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12328#comments MTVe lists their top 20 videos of the year: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5265
Scandinavian hightlights include Melody Club (#20), Soundtrack Of Our Lives (#16), The Hives (#3), Annie (#7) and Kings Of Convenience (#1).]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12380#comments Scandinavian highlights from the Pitchfork top 50 album list include The Concretes (#45), Jóhann Jóhannsson (#37), Björk (#19), Annie (#15), Erlend Øye (#14) and Dungen (#13): http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2004/index.shtml]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12407 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12407 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12407#comments Pitchfork declares "Heartbeat" from Norway's Annie to be the single of the year and manages to name-drop Swedes The Knife and Fox n' Wolf in the process: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2004/singles/index5.shtml]]> Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12559 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12559 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12559#comments The nominees for Norway's Alarm Prize have been announced:

Video:
Ugress - Manhattan Sapphire
Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
Ravi & DJ Løv - Dødsøt
Wibutee - We Are In Space, So Are You
Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You

Rock:
Gåte - Iselilja
International Tussler Society - s/t
Gluecifer - Automatic Thrill
Euroboys - Soft focus
WE - Smugglers

Pop:
Thomas Dybdahl - One Day You'll Dance For Me, New York City
Kings of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
Minor Majority - Up for you and I
Annie - Anniemal
Bertine Zetlitz - Rollerskating

Metal:
Red Harvest - Internal Punishment Programs
Khold – Mørke Gravers Kammer
Mayhem – Chimera
Enslaved – Isa
Darkthrone – Sardonic Wrath

Hip-hop/rap:
Tungtvann - III: Folket Bak Nordavind
Jaa9 & OnklP - Sjåre Brymæ
Gatas Parlament – Fred, frihet & alt gratis
Karpe Diem – Glasskår
Madcon – It’s All A Madcon

Electronica:
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - Your New Best Friends
Mental Overdrive - 083
Snuten with friends - We Are The Future
Ost & Kjex - Some, But Not All Cheese Comes From The Moon
Illumination - The Poppy Rocks

Jazz:
Scorch Trio - Luggumt
Lars Horntveth - Pooka
Wibutee - Playmachine
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - A list of lights and buoys
The Thing - Garage

P3 prize for best song:
National Bank - Tolerate
Annie - Chewing Gum
Jim Stärk - Morning Song
Kings Of Convenience - I’d Rather Dance With You
Euroboys - One Way Street

Live:
Gåte
Tussler
Thomas Dybdahl
Ralph Myerz
WE

Newcomer:
Samsaya
Bonk
Samsaya
The Beautiful People
Annie

Winners will be announced February 5, 2005. Go here for more info and to vote: http://www.alarmweb.org/]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25425-top-10s-for-2004-simon-gooch-luger http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25425-top-10s-for-2004-simon-gooch-luger http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25425-top-10s-for-2004-simon-gooch-luger#comments 01. Football (soccer if you must): Darren Huckerby getting Norwich City promoted to the Premiership in England

02. Album: The Arcade Fire - Funeral (Merge)

03. Live: Broken Social Scene at Accelerator The Big One in Stockholm

04. Song: Jens Lekman - You Are The Light (Service)

05. Live: Hot Chip at Klubb Accelerator in Stockholm

06. Compilation: Rough Trade Indie pop Vol. 1

07. Live: The Radio Dept. live at Betsy Trotwood in London

08. Reading: Plan B magazine and Four Four Two magazine

09. Game: Football Manager on my laptop for hours and hours and hours...

10. Remix: Mylo's take on Annie's ace Chewing Gum


---------------------------

Luger is a Stockholm-based booking agency and concert promoter. Simon is the guy who handles all of their IT and website stuff.
www.luger.se

]]> Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12625 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12625 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12625#comments The top Scandinavian videos streamed last week at on-demand video service Musicbrigade.com:

01. Eric Prydz - Call On Me [Late Night Version]
02. Elin Lanto - I Won't Cry
03. Gunther feat. Samantha Fox - Touch Me
04. Nightwish - Wish I Had An Angel
05. Annie - Chewing Gum
Requested Videos: 308,543
Total Streams: 465,634]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12663 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12663 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12663#comments Satyricon, Animal Alpha, Christer Knudsen and Annie are the first four acts confirmed for next year's Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway.]]> Thu, 02 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12665 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12665 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12665#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Saybia - I surrender
02. Annie - Chewing Gum
03. HIM - And Love Said No
04. Dhani - Girl Talk
05. Nightwish - Wish I Had
06. Nephew - Superliga
07. Black Belt - All to You
08. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
09. The Hives - Two Timing Touch & Broken Bones
10. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
11. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
12. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake Your Beauty
13. Burhan G - Take U Home
14. Ayesha - Squaffie
15. Johndoe - Pyromantikk
16. The Solution - My Mojo Aint Working No More
17. Magne F - Past Perfect Present Tense
18. Eskobar - You Got Me
19. Noble - Hot 2 Nite
20. Promoe - Long Distance Runner

Challengers:
01. Deportees - Not Tonight
02. Beats And Styles - Fire
03. Melody Club - Baby (Stand Up)
04. Sahara Hotnights - Who Do You Dance For
05. Clemens - Raptus
06. Margaret Berger - Lifetime Guarantee

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 02 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12801 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12801 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12801#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Annie - Chewing Gum
02. HIM - And Love Said No
03. Nephew - Superliga
04. Dhani - Girl Talk
05. Saybia - I surrender
06. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
07. Nightwish - Wish I Had
08. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
09. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
10. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
11. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
12. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
13. Ayesha - Squaffie
14. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
15. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
16. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
17. Johndoe - Pyromantikk
18. Negative - In My Heaven
19. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
20. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime

Challengers:
01. The Mo - Howl In The Jungle
02. Bertine Zetlitz - Fake Your Beauty
03. Brolle Jr. - Sound Of A Drum
04. Noble - Hot 2 Nite
05. Black Belt - All to You

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12880 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12880 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12880#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. Annie - Chewing Gum
02. Dhani - Girl Talk
03. HIM - And Love Said No
04. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
05. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
06. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
07. Nephew - Superliga
08. Nightwish - Wish I Had
09. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
10. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
11. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
12. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
13. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime
14. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
15. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
16. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
17. Mighty 44 / Anna Nordell - This Love Ain't Going On
18. Masayah - Felicia
19. Negative - In My Heaven
20. Madcon - Doo Wop

Challengers:
01. Ayesha - Squaffie
02. Saybia - I surrender
03. Niccokick - Love and neon lights
04. Johndoe - Pyromantikk
05. Alcazar - Physical

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12938 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12938 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12938#comments Pitchfork lauds Annie and her debut album "Anniemal": http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/a/annie/anniemal.shtml]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12940 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12940 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12940#comments The top Scandinavian videos streamed last week at on-demand video service Musicbrigade.com:

01. Nightwish - Wish I had An Angeln
02. Ana - We Aren
03. Annie - Chewing Gumn
04. Nightwish - Nemo
05. Alcazar - This Is The World We Live In
Requested Videos: 282,830
Total Streams: 427,208]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12973 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12973 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/12973#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. HIM - And Love Said No
02. Dhani - Girl Talk
03. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
04. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
05. Annie - Chewing Gum
06. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
07. Nightwish - Wish I Had
08. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
09. Mando Diao - Clean Town
10. Cirera - Fake Vegetarian Ex Girlfriend
11. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
12. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
13. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
14. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
15. Blacknuss - All Your Lovin'
16. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime
17. Mighty 44 / Anna Nordell - This Love Ain't Going On
18. Beats And Styles - Renegades
19. Masayah - Felicia
20. Elin Lanto - I Won't Cry

Challengers:
01. Raymond & Maria - Nej
02. Nephew - Superliga
03. Promoe - Long Distance Runner
04. Negative - In My Heaven
05. Ana - Don't Cry For Pain
06. Madcon - Doo Wop

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 04 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13063 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13063 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13063#comments Here's this week's MTV Up North Nordic video chart:

01. HIM - And Love Said No
02. Sugarplum Fairy - Sweet Jackie
03. Bomfunk MC's - No Way In Hell
04. Private Line - 1-800-Out Of Nowhere
05. Annie - Chewing Gum
06. Dhani - Girl Talk
07. Mando Diao - Clean Town
08. Snook - Mister Cool
09. Lazyboy - Facts Of Life
10. Blacknuss - All Your Lovin'
11. Ana - We Are
12. Beats And Styles - Renegades
13. Christian Walz - Wonderchild
14. Blue Foundation - Save This Town
15. Hanna Pakarinen - How Can I Miss You
16. Petter - Tidens tempo/Prolog
17. Tigerbombs - 1000 Sparks
18. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Bigtime
19. Cirera - Fake Vegetarian Ex Girlfriend
20. Masayah - Felicia

Challengers:
01. Nightwish - Wish I Had
02. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Rent A Wreck
03. Powersolo - Oak Tree Girl
04. Stephen Simmonds - Mother Mary
05. Mighty 44 / Anna Nordell - This Love Ain't Going On
06. Elin Lanto - I Won't Cry

Go to the MTVE.com site to watch and vote for your favorite.]]> Thu, 28 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13095 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13095 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/13095#comments International mp3 blog Fat Planet posts tracks and commentary on Jens Lekman, Annie and Kim Hiorthoy: http://www.fatplanet.com.au/#241004]]> Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700 news