IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Laleh and Madcon to LA for Cuture Collide

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:29:40 -0700

Laleh and Madcon have been added to the lineup of the Culture Collide fest in LA: http://culturecollide.com/index.php/news/entry/second_wave_of_artists_announced_for_culture_collide

ExMS plans for 2010

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:37:00 -0700

Export Music Sweden has posted a list of upcoming activities they have planned, including showcases at MusExpo in LA (feat. Erik Hassle, Laleh, Sidechild, Fibes, Oh Fibes! and Takida) and CMJ (artists TBD): http://www.exms.com/?p=1640

2010 Swedish Grammis, the list

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:48:06 -0800

Here you go, the (almost) full list of nominees for the 2010 Swedish Grammis:

Album:
A Camp - Colonia
Agnes - Dace love pop - The love love love edition
Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
Caroline af Ugglas - Så gör jag det igen
Erik Hassle - Hassle
Kent - Röd
Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
Mando Diao - Give me fire!
Takida - The darker instinct
Thåström - Kärlek är för dom

Folk music/ballad:
Cajsastina Åkerström - Sånger om dej och mej
Esbjörn Hazelius - Blunda och du ska få se
Miriam Aida - Letras ao Brasil
Olle Adolphson - Tystnaden smyger som en katt... 1956-2004
Sofia Jannok - Åssogáttis - By the embers
Sofia Karlsson - Den allra båsta (1999-2009)
Sofia Karlsson - Söder om kärleken
Stefan Sundström - Ingenting har hänt
Taken By Trees - East of Eden
Väsen - Väsen Street

Hard rock:
Candlemass - Death magic doom
Crucified Barbara - 'Til death do us party
Dead By April - Dead By April
Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
Hardcore Superstar - Beg for it
Lillasyster - Det här är inte musik, det här är kärlek
Mustasch - Mustasch
Raised Fist - Veil of ignorance
Renegade Five - Undergrounded universe
Wolf - Ravenous

Jazz:
Alice Babs - As time goes by
Bengt Berger - Beches brew
Georg Wadenius/Arild Jensen - Jul på Svenska
Jan Lundgren Trio - European standards
Jeanette Lindström - Attitude and orbit control
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - The half naked truth
Lina Nyberg - The snow
Lisa Ekdahl - Give me that slow knowing smile
Magnus Lindgren - Batucada jazz
Trummor & Orgel - Visions

Club/Hip-hop:
Andreas Tilliander - Show
J-Son - Never half stepping
Ken Ring - Hip hop
Lorentz & M Sakarias - Vi mot världen
Mange Schmidt - Odenplan Stockholm 1988
Maskinen - Boys II men
Mohammed Ali - Processen
Näääk - Näääk vem?
Promoe - Kråksången
Swingfly - God bless the IRS

Composer:
Amanda Jenssen & Pär Wiksten - Happyland
Anna Järvinen - Man var bland molnen
Christian Walz - The corner
Deportees - Under the pavement - the beach
El Perro Del Mar - Love is not pop
Joakim Berg & Martin Sköld (Kent) - Röd
Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
Nina Persson, Niclas Frisk, Nathan Larsson (A Camp) - Colonia
Salem Al Fakir - Astronaut
Thåström - Kärlek är för dom

Female artist:
Agnes - Dace love pop - The love love love edition
Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
Anna Järvinen - Man var bland molnen
Caroline af Ugglas - Så gör jag det igen
Jenny Wilson - Hardships!
Laleh - Me and Simon
Melissa Horn - Säg ingenting till mig
Miss Li - Dancing the whole way home
Pernilla Andersson - Ashbury apples
Sarah Dawn Finer - Moving on

Male artist:
Christian Walz - The corner
Erik Hassle - Hassle
Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (Den mörka blomman)
John Me - I am John
Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
Markus Krunegård - Lev som en gris dö som en hund
Olle Ljungström - Sju
Salem Al Fakir - Astronaut
Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
Tingsek - Restless soul

Newcomer:
Adiam Dymott - Adiam Dymott
Dead By April - Dead By April
Erik Hassle - Hassle
John Me - I am John
Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen
Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
Lorentz & M.Sakarias - Vi mot världen
Maskinen - Boys II men
Miike Snow - Miike Snow
Name The Pet - Name the Pet

Pop:
A Camp - Colonia
Asha Ali - Hurricane
BWO - Big science
Calaisa - Grafton Street
El Perro Del Mar - Love is not pop
Fibes, Oh Fibes! - 1987
Jill Johnson - Music row II
Melody Club - Goodbye to romance
Miike Snow - Miike Snow
Peter Bjorn And John - Living thing

Producer:
A Camp - Colonia
Amanda Jenssen & Pär Wiksten - Happyland
Bloodshy & Avant (Miike Snow) - Miike Snow
El Perro Del Mar & Rasmus Hägg - Love is not pop
Goran Kajfes (Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet) - Magnus Carlson & The Moon Ray Quintet
Jenny Wilson - Hardships!
Kent & Joshua - Röd
Laleh - Me and Simon
Salem Al Fakir - Astronaut
Thomas Rusiak (Adiam Dymott) - Adiam Dymott

Rock:
[Ingenting] - Tomhet, idel tomhet
Bob Hund - Folkmusik för folk som inte kan bete sig som folk
Deportees - Under the pavement - the beach
Dundertåget - Skaffa ny frisyr
Europe - Last look at Eden
Florence Valentin - Spring Ricco
Kent - Röd
Mando Diao - Give me fire!
Takida - The darker instinct
The Bear Quartet - 89

Lyrics:
Amanda Jenssen - Happyland
Anna Järvinen - Man var bland molnen
Caroline af Ugglas - Så gör jag det igen
El Perro Del Mar - Love is not pop
Joakim Berg (Kent) - Röd
Laleh - Me and Simon
Lars Winnerbäck - Tänk om jag ångrar mig och sen ångrar mig igen
Louise Hoffsten/Peter Lemarc - På andra siden vättern
Melissa Horn - Säg ingenting till mig
Thåström - Kärlek är för dom

For the full list in a hard-to-read format, go here: http://www.grammis.se/

Laleh - Big city love (video)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:30:04 -0700

Laleh's new video for "Big city love" is now viewable on myspace: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=56592865

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:34:39 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Thåström - Kärlek är för dom
02. Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
03. Sofia Karlsson - Söder om kärleken
04. Kevin Borg - The beginning
05. Alcazar - Disco defenders
06. Zillah & Totte - Det låter apa
07. Olle Ljungström - Sju
08. Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
09. H.E.A.T - Heat (bonus spår)
10. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
11. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
12. Mikael Wiehe - Sånger från en inställd skilsmässa
13. A Camp - Colonia
14. Takida - Bury the lies
15. Mando Diao - Give me fire!
16. Laleh - Me and Simon
17. Bengt Hennings - Låt kärleken slå till
18. Perssons Pack - Öster om heden
19. Sahara Hotnights - Sparks
20. Jenny Wilson - Hardships!

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:09:12 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
02. Kevin Borg - The beginning
03. Sofia Karlsson - Söder om kärleken
04. Olle Ljungström - Sju
05. Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
06. Zillah & Totte - Det låter apa
07. Sahara Hotnights - Sparks
08. Bengt Hennings - Låt kärleken slå till
09. Perssons Pack - Öster om heden
10. Jenny Wilson - Hardships!
11. Laleh - Me and Simon
12. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
13. Mando Diao - Give me fire!
14. CC & Lee - Gåva till dig
15. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
16. Takida - Bury the lies
17. A Camp - Colonia
18. Kim - Kim
19. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
20. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:57:47 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
02. Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
03. Sahara Hotnights - Sparks
04. Perssons Pack - Öster om heden
05. Jenny Wilson - Hardships!
06. Scotts - På vårt sätt
07. CC & Lee - Gåva till dig
08. Bengt Hennings - Låt kärleken slå till
09. Mando Diao - Give me fire!
10. Zillah & Totte - Det låter apa
11. Laleh - Me and Simon
12. Janet Leon - Janet
13. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
14. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
15. Kim - Kim
16. Mikael Wiehe - Sånger från en inställd skilsmässa
17. A Camp - Colonia
18. Dia Psalma - Re voltere
19. Takida - Bury the lies
20. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:50:30 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Larz Kristerz - Hem till dig
02. Hammerfall - No sacrifice, no victory
03. Perssons Pack - Öster om heden
04. Mando Diao - Give me fire!
05. Zillah & Totte - Det låter apa
06. Scotts - På vårt sätt
07. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
08. A Camp - Colonia
09. Mikael Wiehe - Sånger från en inställd skilsmässa
10. Laleh - Me and Simon
11. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
12. Kim - Kim
13. Janet Leon - Janet
14. Dundertåget - Skaffa ny frisyr
15. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
16. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)
17. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild
18. H.E.A.T - Heat
19. Mojje - Popcornfrisyr
20. Takida - Bury the lies

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:31:50 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Mando Diao - Give me fire!
02. A Camp - Colonia
03. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
04. Laleh - Me and Simon
05. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
06. Scotts - På vårt sätt
07. Hide the Knives - Savior for sale
08. Mojje - Popcornfrisyr
09. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)
10. Stockholm Stoner feat. Mats Ronander - Stockholm Stoner
11. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss
12. Takida - Bury the lies
13. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
14. Ulf Lundell - Omaha
15. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
16. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
17. Timo Räisänen - ...And then there was Timo
18. Christian Walz - The corner
19. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
20. Renegade Five - Undergrounded universe

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:08:17 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. A Camp - Colonia
02. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
03. Laleh - Me and Simon
04. Scotts - På vårt sätt
05. Mojje - Popcornfrisyr
06. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)
07. Renegade Five - Undergrounded universe
08. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
09. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
10. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
11. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
12. Stockholm Stoner feat. Mats Ronander - Stockholm Stoner
13. Timo Räisänen - ...And then there was Timo
14. Takida - Bury the lies
15. Ulf Lundell - Omaha
16. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild
17. Deathstars - Night electric night
18. Zillah & Totte - Det låter apa
19. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
20. Jonas & Jive - Ingen vind ingen våg

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:32:30 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. A Camp - Colonia
02. Scotts - På vårt sätt
03. Laleh - Me and Simon
04. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
05. Freddie Wadling - The dark flower (den mörka blomman)
06. Deathstars - Night electric night
07. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
08. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
09. Stockholm Stoner feat. Mats Ronander - Stockholm Stoner
10. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
11. Bullet - Bite the bullet
12. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
13. Timo Räisänen - ...And then there was Timo
14. Daniel Lindström - D-Day
15. Fredrik Swahn - Ut i livet
16. Mojje - Popcornfrisyr
17. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
18. ABBA - The albums (9CD box set)
19. Sebastian Karlsson - The most beautiful lie
20. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:45:38 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Laleh - Me and Simon
02. Scotts - På vårt sätt
03. Anna Ternheim - Leaving on a mayday
04. Irya's Playground - Irya's playground
05. Magnus Carlsson - Re:collection 93-08
06. Timo Räisänen - ...And then there was Timo
07. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild
08. Kent - Kent box 1991-2008
09. Takida - Bury the lies
10. ABBA - The albums (9CD box set)
11. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
12. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
13. Per Gessle - Party crasher
14. Lykke Li - Youth novels
15. Mojje - Popcornfrisyr
16. Ulf Lundell - Omaha
17. Jill Johnson - Baby blue paper
18. Sofia Jannok - Ássogáttis / By the embers
19. Titiyo - Hidden
20. Christian Walz - The corner

Stream the new Laleh album

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:00:47 -0800

Laleh's new album "Me and Simon" was released today and is now streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lalehsweden

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:16:43 -0800

Laleh's new album "Me and Simon" will be released on January 21.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:12:43 -0800

Aftonbladet reports that Laleh has a new album on the way in January: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article3799578.ab (in Swedish)

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:18:21 -0800

The final list of this year's Swedish Grammi nominees have been confirmed:

Best Album
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Dance/Hip-Hop/Soul
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
Ken - Äntligen Hemma
Mange Schmidt - Känslan Kommer Tillbaks
Petter - God Damn It

Best Folk/Country
Abalone Dots - From A Safe Distance
Ale Möller - Band Djef Djel
Lars Demian - Välkommen Hit
Sofia Karlsson - Visor Från Vinden
Sven-Bertil Taube - Alderville Road - Ord & Toner Av Evert Taube

Best Group
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album

Best Hard-rock/Metal
Entombed - Serpent Saints
Hardcore Superstar - Dreamin' In A Casket
Lillasyster - Hjärndöd Musik För En Hjärndöd Generation
Mustasch - Latest Version Of The Truth
Takida - Bury The Lies

Best Jazz
Alice Babs Med Jan Johansson & Georg Riedels - Orkester Illusion
Bitter Funeral Beer Band W Don Cherry & K. Sridhar - Live In Frankfurt 82
E.S.T. - Live In Hamburg
Nils Landgren - Funk Unit Licence To Funk
Rigmor Gustafsson - Alone With You

Best Songwriter
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Joakim Berg & Martin Sköld - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best Female Artist
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Laleh - Prinsessor
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Live Act
Lars Winnerbäck
Lena PH & Orup
Takida
The Hives
Timbuktu

Best Song
Lars Winnerbäck & Miss Li - Om Du Lämnade Mig Nu
Mange Schmidt Feat. Petter - Giftig
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Salem Al Fakir - Good Song
The Ark - The Worrying Kind

Best Male Artist
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For…
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande

Best Newcomer
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best Producer
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Björn Olsson - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Björn Yttling - Writer's Block & What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Jon Joshua Schuman & Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best Lyrics
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jason Diakité - Oberoendeframkallande
Joakim Berg - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

MTV-Prize for Best Video
Adam Tensta - My Cool (Dir: Marcus Lundin)
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle (Dir: Johan Söderberg)
Kent - Ingenting (Dir: Mattias Montero/Adam Berg)
Slagsmålsklubben - Malmö Beach Night Party (Dir: Andreas Nilsson)
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend (Dir: Magnus Renfors / Kindpeople)

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:32:52 -0800

This year's Swedish Grammi (Grammy) Award nominees have been announced:

Best album:
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Säkert! - Säkert!
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande

Best dance/hip-hop/soul:
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Dogge Doggelito - Superclasico
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
Fjärde Världen - Världens Ände
Ken - Äntligen Hemma
Mange Schmidt - Känslan Kommer Tillbaks
Million Stylez - From A Far
Petter - God Damn It
September - Dancing Shoes
Vincent - Lucky Thirteen

Best group:
Eldkvarn - Svart Blogg
Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend
The Hives - The Black And White Album
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
Weeping Willows - Fear & Love

Best hard-rock/metal:
Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Candlemass - King Of The Grey Island
Clawfinger - Life Will Kill You
Crashdiet - The Unattractive Revolution
Dark Tranquillity - Fiction
Entombed - Serpent Saints
Hardcore Superstar - Dreamin' In A Casket
Lillasyster - Hjärndöd Musik För En Hjärndöd Generation
Mustasch - Latest Version Of The Truth
Takida - Bury The Lies

Best songwriter:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Christian Kjellvander - I Saw Her From Here/I Saw Here From Her
Joakim Berg & Martin Sköld - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
José González - In Our Nature
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Best female artist:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jaqee - Nouvelle D'amour
Laleh - Prinsessor
Louise Hoffsten - Så Speciell
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Sophie Zelmani - Memory Loves You
Säkert! - Säkert!

Best live act:
Benny Anderssons Orkester
Jens Lekman
Lars Winnerbäck
Lena Ph & Orup
Parksommar
Per Gessle
Peter Jöback
Takida
The Hives
Timbuktu

Best song:
Lars Winnerbäck - I Duett Med Miss Li Om Du Lämnade Mig Nu
Mange Schmidt Feat. Petter - Giftig
Markoolio - Ingen Sommar Utan Reggae
Martin Stenmarck - 100 År Från Nu (Blundar)
Måns Zelmerlöw - Cara Mia
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Salem Al Fakir - Good Song
Sonja Aldén - För Att Du Finns
The Ark - The Worrying Kind
Ola - Natalie

Best male artist:
Christian Kjellvander - I Saw Her From Here / I Saw Here From Her
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
José González - In Our Nature
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Moneybrother - Mount Pleasure
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For...
Peter Lemarc - Kärlek I Tystnadens Tid
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
Timo Räisänen - Love Will Turn You Around

Best newcomer:
Abalone Dots - From A Safe Distance
Adam Tensta - It's A Tensta Thing
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Måns Zelmerlöw - Stand By For...
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Sonja Aldén - Till Dig
Säkert! - Säkert!
Vincent - Lucky Thirteen

Best producer:
Benny Andersson - Bao 3
Björn Olsson - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Björn Yttling - Writer's Block & What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Jari Haapalainen - Svart Blogg
Jon Joshua Schuman & Kent - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
José González - In Our Nature
Laleh - Prinsessor
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am
Vincent Pontare - Lucky Thirteen

Best lyrics:
Anna Järvinen - Jag Fick Feeling
Annika Norlin - Säkert!
Eva Dahlgren - Petroleum Och Tång
Jason Diakité - Oberoendeframkallande
Joakim Berg - Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Ola Salo - Prayer For The Weekend
Peter Lemarc - Kärlek I Tystnadens Tid
Plura Jonsson - Svart Blogg
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Go here for the full list: http://www.musikindustrin.nu/mi/smpage.fwx?page=198&NYHETER=8646

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:22:11 -0800

The nominees for the Swedish Radio P3 Guld awards have been announced:

Pop:
Anna Järvinen - Jag fick feeling
Friday Bridge - Intricacy
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Sambassadeur - Migration
Taken By Trees - Open Field

Dance:
Aril Brikha - Ex machina
Axwell - collected work
Minilogue - collected work
The Field - From here we go sublime
Tiger Stripes - collected work

Rock/metal:
Arch Enemy - Rise Of The Tyrant
Dark Tranquility - Fiction
Kongh - Counting heartbeats
Marduk - Rom 5:12
Mustasch - Latest version of the truth

Hiphop/soul:
Petter - God damn it
Ken - Äntligen hemma
Adam Tensta - It's a Tensta Thing
Million stylez - From A Far
Basutbudet - Svensk bas

Newcomer:
Adam Tensta
Maia Hirasawa
Million Stylez
Neverstore
Those Dancing Days

Female artist:
Laleh - Prinsessor
Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm Just Me
Miss Li - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky
September - Dancing Shoes
Säkert! - Säkert!

Male artist:
Danny - Heart. Beats.
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala
Lars Winnerbäck - Daugava
Mange Schmidt - Känslan kommer tillbaks
Salem Al Fakir - This Is Who I Am

Group:
Kent - Tillbaka till samtiden
Mando Diao - Never Seen The Light Of Day
Sahara Hotnights - What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
The Ark - Prayer For The Weekend

Song:
Kleerup with Robyn - With Every Heartbeat
Mange Schmidt feat. Petter - Giftig
Oh Laura - Release Me
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek To Cheek
Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt

Guldmicken (live):
Laakso
Mustasch
Salem Al Fakir
Säkert!
Timo Räisänen

More info: http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/index.asp?programID=3014

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:30:02 -0800

Swedish pop artist Laleh will be doing a pair of shows at Water Rats in London on December 7-8: http://www.themonto.com/news.php?news_id=44

Festival report: Way Out West

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Thursday

The day started off well enough. I woke early and had a good stroll around central Göteborg and managed to get myself fairly oriented to city. I also had a surprise run-in with Viktor Sjöberg in an empty parking lot and his dog Douglas suprised me right back, sending my cup of coffee flying through the air. Things were off to a good start! The majority of my afternoon was spent exploring the Konstmuseum (I think I'll be needing an Ivar Arosenius print at some point) and then it was time to meet more friends and start the Way Out West concert experience.

I missed openers Function, but Low exceeded expectations with their set at Trädgär'n. I'm only moderately familiar with their catalog, but what I saw was understated, elegant and quite powerful. Following them was another American act, Woven Hand. Naturally, I came to WoW primarily to see Swedish acts, but since Woven Hand tours Sweden far more often than the US, I made sure to make this show and they did not disappoint one bit. Frontman David Eugene Edwards has an incredibly intense stage presence, on par with Neurosis, easily one of the most emotionally demanding bands I've ever been fortunate enough to see.

Knowing fully well that there would be no way to top Woven Hand, I still set out to Pustervik to catch some more bands for my evening's entertainment. ...And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead was packed solid and admitting no new patrons, so I went upstairs to check out Last Days of April. The wait was slightly longer than expected, but Håkan from Division of Laura Lee/Carcrash Records kept things interesting from his position behind the DJ booth. As for LDOA when they did finally take the stage, they were 100% solid despite a less-than-stellar placement in the lineup. I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. Another time, another place perhaps.
(AR)

Friday

At last, the start of the 'real' festival and the Boredoms set things off right. I was bit hesitant, having been disappointed by a show sometime around the period of "Super Æ", but this was something else entirely. My impression is that today's music was based on (or at least similar to) the recent "77 drummers" performance. It featured a steady onslaught of three pounding drummers and the reappearance of Eye's percussive guitar tree. The meandering psychedelia of years ago was vanquished from my mind and I let myself get lost in the endless hypnotic beat. I still can't say that I'll always be into everything the Boredoms do, but it's undeniable that they are always interesting and this performance certainly lived up to the hype.

I tried my best to avoid Salem Al Fakir's weak Billy Joel impression at one of the many beer tents before securing myself a proper position up front for Hello Saferide. The show was everything I'd hoped for: charming and sweet; equally balancing the upbeat, poppy material with the darker, more soulful (and often far more satisfying) ballads. All of the proper album highlights were played as well as a brand new track and the recent "I was definitely made for these times" single. It wasn't quite the transcendent experience I had hoped for, but it was quite nice to finally hear the songs in-person from the band's own instruments.

After Hello Saferide, it was proper time again for more beer and meeting friends. Finally got a chance to meet up with contributor Simon Tagestam (his SMS: "Hey Avi! You at the festival? Watching rubbish Laleh...") as well as a multitude of other folks. The next band to catch my attention: The Hellacopters. An experience made all that much greater from standing next to Fredrik Holmgren of Startracks who would constantly interrupt himself to yell things like "Oh my god! This fucking song! Yes!". Yeah, they were pretty good. And then The Hives - jeez, now there's a band that know's how to work a crowd of 16,000. Performing a few tracks from the forthcoming "The black & white album" as well as a plethora of classics, Pelle and the boys put on a proper show. Even if said record ends up being a total disaster, they are still a band not to be missed on tour. That's been obvious ever since the first time I saw them blow The (International) Noise Conspiracy off the stage.

Having now hooked up with another IAT contributor, a certain Jonas Appelqvist along with photographer companion Sofia Qvarnström, we decided it was a good time to exit the main festival grounds, seek nourishment from something besides weak Swedish lager and headed up to Sticky Fingers for Juvelen and Laakso. Once we arrived, it became instantly obvious that we made the right decision because the venue filled up right after our arrival. The unmistakable Ebbot Lundberg kept the people entertained from behind the decks as we waited patiently for the show to get underway.

Juvelen proved himself to be a considerably bigger draw than I anticipated and the crowd gushed with adoration as he strutted back and forth across the stage. No backing band, just lights, smoke and a guitar. That's all he needed. The females in attendance didn't seem to mind that he kept shedding layers of clothing as well. Impressive, for sure!

Of course, the big draw of the evening, especially for me, was Laakso and they were absolutely everything I had hoped them to be. Anthemic and glorious, perhaps even a bit cathartic. They played the hits and then they played some more. Annika Norlin came out and joined them for a rousing version of "Italy vs Helsinki". The band performed with fiery vigor and not a single moment was wasted. Some say that Laakso is currently Sweden's best band. I'm inclined to agree.

I should've called it a night following Laakso, but instead I set out on a fool's errand for a proper after-after-party. A wasted effort and a long walk home, but a good way to clear my jetlagged-rattled head and wind down. Lesson learned!
(AR)

Due to a wedding on the Saturday I was only able to attend Way Out West on Friday and I also had to leave early (halfway through The Hives' decent set) which meant I missed all the club nights too. Instead of getting to see Moneybrother, Regina Spektor, Juvelen, Laakso, TTA, Säkert!, Kanye West, Franke etc I was treated to the dire 'talents' that are Salem Al Fakir, Laleh, Albert Hammond Jr and the now questionable lot of The Hellacopters. Salem Al Fakir and Laleh could have been the worse festival combo I've ever witnessed, I was in shock by their horrible performances. Thankfully, Hello Saferide turned out to be a hint of sunshine in the rain, her set was much better than I expected it to be (I'm half a fan). The weather was rubbish, it was humid and rained most of the time, but the festival itself was nice. I love festivals near city centres! I'm definitely coming back if there will be a WoW in 2008, as long as I can go to the day when all the good bands are playing (no weddings then, please).
(ST)

Anticipations for the forthcoming album by The Hives are sky-high worldwide. And by all means, they should be. We're talking about a band putting up with a lot of pressure from, like, everywhere; the media, the record label and, most of all, the fans. And they know it. 'Cause what we saw was a hungry band eager to show off some new tunes and live up to the live rumor they've earned. After being locked up in studios around the globe for a long, long time it was quite obvious that Howlin' Pelle, Chris Dangerous, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Nicholaus Arson wanted to kick ass. And maybe that's what made it come off as overkill. Sure, the band is a really tight one; the entertainment is top notch (especially Howlin' Pelle's banters wherein he heckles the crowd while stating that what we're watching is the greatest band in the world) but there's a downside to the enthusiasm. The new songs suffer from the furious tempo on stage. And frankly, those songs were the ones I wanted to hear. The new single "Tick tick boom" is a good choice for the first one out from "The black and white album" with its hooks and easy sing-along, but as a whole, the other new ones tleft me a bit disappointed. The patented Hives-sound was all over and that's what I'm having problems with. Been there, done that. But hey, don't worry; the gig as a whole wasn't a disappointment. It's when these guys from Fagersta play the wonderful "AKA I.D.I.O.T" from my favorite album "Barely legal" the show starts for real! Elegant as always, they deliver punk rock for the masses with crowd pleasers such as "Walk idiot walk" and "A little more for little you" (dedicated to Nicke Andersson from The Hellacopters who was celebrating a birthday). Pelle had the crowd right where he wanted them, following his every move. And guess what?! His voice lasted the whole show. A seldom heard thing.

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of electronic dance music, or Prince for that matter. But I can tell when competent music is performed and this was one show that proved me wrong. Performing inside a club and not on a stage at an outdoor festival definitely improved Juvelen since his music is made for the dance floor. And the crowd danced! And that's what it's all about I guess. The live show is secondary in this case and it should be, as long as you have great music to back things up. The hit single "Hannah" is a perfect example of that. Sung in a high falsetto over samples and a hot-tempered distorted guitar, the tune almost gets me down on the dance floor myself. And that is perhaps the best review you can get from me, seeing that I very rarely do such a thing! I have problem with the fact that a lot of the songs get kind of monotonous, but this one man show was a small success. At least if you're dancing.

Entering the stage 1:30 am and what a show they put on! Laakso's "Mother, am i good looking?" is one of this year's best records this far and Avi, photographer Sofia and me weren't the only ones at the venue with that opinion. Right from the first chords of "Worst case scenario", the band kickstarts into a euphoric journey full of Markus Krunegård's lyrical anguish with the added glam touch and disharmonic guitar licks of Bear Quartet's Jari Haapalainen. You could definitely tell that the band really loved this gig as they repeatedly stated that the clock was too much. The wonderful storytelling on "Västerbron", the heavy metal shouts on "In my blood", the reckless drumming on "Hang me in the Christmas Tree" and, of course the duet with Annika Norlin on "Italy vs Helsinki"; all that made this gig a tremendous experience.
(JA)

Saturday

The euphoria of the previous evening must've still been with me because I rose early again, ready and raring to go despite very few hours of sleep. I had some doubts about passing on The Pogues the previous night, but those fears were allayed from friends who declared the performance to be a pathetic travesty of a freakshow. No thank you! So with that, it was off for another long day of performances, starting off with Florence Valentin who were a perfect, rousing way to start the afternoon. The band's ample membership filled the Linné stage and their considerable energy got the crowd moving. That's some classic Göteborg indiepop done right and I'm glad they're back.

From Florence Valentin, it was back to the beer tent for refreshment after a quick glimpse at Shout Out Louds who were just as exciting as expected (read: not very). Caught a few songs from Sparta somewhere in there, then back for more beers to allay the boredom of the mid-afternoon lull. It was quite telling that the random dude Devandra Banhart invited up to perform a song far outshined the man himself. Moneybrother, sadly, proved to be equally lackluster, especially when compared to the full band with strings show I saw at Umeå Open two years ago. Again: no thanks.

Peter Bjorn and John on the other hand, delivered a strong and confident set, no doubt a testament to their endless tour schedule. Seeing as how they are still a small-stage act in their native Sweden, the set was all top-shelf material of wall-to-wall hits. Once again, Annika Norlin came out for a duet, this time filling in for Victoria Bergsman on the ubiquitous "Young folks". Well done! Funny that I had to travel thousands of miles to finally see these guys in the flesh, but I know it won't be for the last time. A small taste here at Way Out West whetted my appetite for the band's forthcoming club tour in the US this fall.

A break now for dinner (including a decent Swedish microbrew! shocking!) and then back in time for Säkert!, yet another festival highlight. Obviously I'm a big fan of Hello Saferide, but seeing Annika with the good folks of Isolation Years (plus Henrik Oya of The Spacious Mind and Jakob Nyström's sister Lovisa on keys/backing vocals) was fantastic. No gueststars today as all duets were aptly handled in-band, not that it mattered. They wrapped up the Parksommar tour here in top-notch style. The driving stomp of set-closer "Allt som är dit" was perfection and the crowd responded in kind. After that, I wandered over to catch the tail-end of The Ark's set, but was driven to seek shelter by the pounding rain. Had I been up front with sympathetic souls, I'm sure I would've loved it, but I opted for the easier (and drier) choice of watching from the safety of the beer tent. Hearing Ola Salo deliver a verse from "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" during one of their triumphant breakdowns was a nice touch.

Lily Allen replacement Teddybears STHLM proved to be far better than expected. Despite having a softspot for the band's obnoxious early years as a hardcore band, there's no denying the group's reinvention as the new century's biggest hitfactory. Each and every song, another solid gold single. It also must be said that the overwhelmingly surreal experience of thousands singing along to final track "Punkrocker" was a capper. "Cuz I'm a punkrocker, yes I am!" Oh, really?

The spectacle of Kanye West was alluring, even moreso with the promise of a PB&J cameo, but my friends and I opted instead for the elusive Franke. Bad move! Not that Kanye West would've been much better (reports have not been flattering), but Franke was absolutely dreadful. The sound was shit and so was the performance. By far the biggest disappointment of the entire festival. Wisely, we decided to cut our losses and headed back to the Norrländska Generalkonsulatet for late-night Randy and Bruce Springsteen singalongs plus plenty of Norrlands Guld. Now that is a proper way to end an evening and a perfect conclusion to the Way Out West experience.
(AR)

Anders Wendin has been a class act entertainer ever since the days he fronted the sadly missed Monster. Something that's oh so obvious at this gig as well. As with The Hives, Moneybrother also have a new record due to be released and the focus is concentrated on material from that one, "Mount pleasure". Apart from the first single "Just another summer" ,I have not yet heard the record, but what they presented live sounded great and familiar. And that is, as always, a problem. The songs sound a bit too alike live. But when putting on such a live show, you're excused. This, the only Moneybrother festival gig this year, was a pure discharge after just recently completing a summer tour. And with hits like "They're building walls around us", "The pressure" and the marvelous final number "Reconsider me", you just can't go wrong. Too bad the guys (presented by Anders as the most attractive band out there) had some difficulties with the sound at times, but that's a problem I can overlook. I can't wait to see this again in a more intimate club venue some time soon.

I'm sure everyone knows about Annika Norlin's Säkert! by now. But I could never imagine that she'd bring such an all-star team to Way Out West. The fellow musicians were, among others, Mats Hammarström and Jakob Nyström from Isolation Years, Henrik Oja from David Sandström Overdrive and Tonteknik and other studios way up north (he's like the Swedish equivalence to Steve Albini, lots of great records bear his mark)! Aware of this fact or not, the crowd was euphoric and sang along to every song. The feeling in that big tent was a warm and fuzzy one and just what this, in Annika's own words, more outspoken cousin to Hello Saferide deserves. As much as I adore HS, I must say that Säkert! gets to me in a more direct way. And that's not at all just about me understanding the words, the music is more exposed and in your face. This is exactly why this was a really nice experience. With only one record out, the band can only do so much, but what they did was more than enough. Hearing Jakob singing Martin Hanberg's part on "Sanningsdan" is something I will remember as one of the finest things from this festival. The only downside was that Juliette & the Licks drowned some of the more mellow songs with their mediocre rock n' roll. Definitely nothing that Annika can be held responsible for. All in all, one of the finest shows at the festival!
(JA)

What can I say? Way Out West was a smashing success. And I nearly missed it. Who could have thought that this rookie-festival would sell out as fast as it did? With such a strong line up, it was a matter of time really, but several weeks ahead? And with me being quite lazy, well, Friday came and I still had no ticket. I did try though, I even went to the black market, but no. The Hives, Hello Saferide, The Hellacopters, and I wasn't there. Saturday came and I was about to lose all hope when luck finally came about. 200 extra tickets where released on demand and I got one. Off to the festival then!

Even though I couldn't make it the day before, I wasn't all bummed out. Saturday actually held a couple of really good and exciting Scandinavian bands as well. I missed Shout Out Louds due to my ticket problem, but since I've already seen them on just about every festival this summer, I couldn't care less. A little part of me felt sad for not being able to see the Saturday opening act Florence Valentin though. Instead, I arrived right on time to catch the one and only Moneybrother. In 2003 I saw Anders Wendin perform on one of the smaller stages on Accelerator, The Big One. Some had heard of Monster, none had heard of Moneybrother. And the gig was great. The two following records, "Blood panic" and "To die alone" were also great. Moneybrother was here to stay. But things change - sometimes you can only push things to a limit and thereafter it becomes boring. Anders Wendin and his colleagues give their best, but the news songs simply won't stick to my mind. No, more of the old Anders and less of Bruce Springsteen/Ulf Lundell.

Peter Bjorn and John. I've given these guys a hard time in the past, I know. I still think "Writers' Block" is a mediocre record, but live these guys rock! The place is crowded and I even forgive those who wait for that one special song alone. There's no Victoria Bergman on guest vocals today, but Annika Norlin from Säkert!/Hello Saferide still manages to give a golden touch to the indie anthem "Young folks". The gossip of today is, or course, what will Peter Bjorn and John pull off when they are to play with Kanye West this evening? Speaking of Annika Norlin, I was quite sceptical of her new project Säkert! when I heard the first single "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt", but yet again, I'm overwhelmed by the outcome live. It just sounds great. A little bit more raw and intense, exactly how I like my music. Annika Norlin is truly something special.

I skipped Timo Räisänen to get something to get something to eat and a new set of dry clothes (the sky opened up during the Regina Spektor concert, of course). I wasn't that sad about it, you've heard one Timo song, you've heard them all. Come to think of it, having already released two records, with a third on the way, and still getting to play just about anywhere, the guy must be doing something right. But you can't argue with hunger and cold. The Ark played about every festival I've been to this summer as well, but I still haven't been to an entire concert up to now. Why you ask? Well, it tends to become quite static after a while. This time it's different. As Ola Salo points out, it's the almost the end of the summer and soon enough it's back to school or to the old job. And we don't want that. So they play and we sing along.

Lilly Allen had to cancel, say hello to Teddybears STHLM! I've never been too fond of this band either (I know, I sound like a grumpy old man), but you can't argue with the hits. Who can say no to "Cobra style", "Punkrocker" and "Hey boy"? But there's Way Out West for you, bands you didn't expect to do well, did awesome instead.

I really wanted to get in the day before as well, but the Saturday alone gave me the chills. Too bad I was trapped inside a manic crowd during Kanye West (and yeah, Peter Bjorn and John did play "Young folks" again. This time it sucked though), I really wanted to see a couple of songs with Franke. Next time perhaps.
(CS)

Who's who:

CS: Christian Stenbacke

ST: Simon Tagestam

AR: Avi Roig

JA: Jonas Appelqvist

Pics by Sofia Qvarnström

Festival report: Hultsfred 2007 - The year it all broke down (almost)

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

I guess most of you people, at least in Sweden, know by now. This years Hultsfredsfestival was a total failure. More than 5000 tickets remained unsold, and you can tell when there are 5000 people missing. But hey, come on! No one can really be surprised? Even the ancient Greek knew the dangers of hubris, two sold out festivals in a row don't necessarily equal a third. If you raise the cost of the ticket and don't provide enough value for the raise, then you are in it over your head. Especially when the Hultsfredsfestival has a very young audience in general, which teenage kid can afford 1800 SEK [ed: approx. $250 USD], just for the ticket? It was doomed from the beginning.

Enough of that. Time to get down to business, the music. Even though I thought this year's line up to be quite lame, there where still some goodies to be found. Tingsek for instance. This tall and handsome man of soul played like no man has ever played before and it was absolutely amazing. Great weather, the outdoors and soft tunes of soul, gospel and reggae with a touch of pop, what more can a man want from the first concert of the festival? Speaking of reggae with a touch of pop, Svenska Akademien recently released their new album "Gör det ändå. Gör det ändå". Once again General Knas + Sture Vikingsson and friends prove that there's no limit to how much groove you can fit into one album. Although playing in the middle of the night the first day of the festival, you could tell that they love being on tour again. To help them light up the night they had brought a bunch of people with Bengal lights and lit up sticks and chains being constantly rotated. It sure made me stay awake a little bit longer.

The Friday set off with a gush of rock'n'roll signed the Swedish rockers Bring Me The Fucking Riot... Man. I enjoyed their first album very much but don't really think they can push things any further. And I was quite right. They played one of the smallest stages and they played no longer than thirty minutes. It was a good thirty minutes though. Sophie Zelmani got a little bit longer than that, much to everyone's delight. All dressed up in a nice white dress and her ever-lasting sidekick Lars Halapi by her side; everything is as it should be. This is the third time I've been to a Sophie Zelmani concert on the Hultsfredsfestival over the years, and I still get amazed by the magical atmosphere this sweet girl creates with her soft whispering and mere presence.

Taxi, Taxi! also aspires of creating something that is pure magical. Twin sisters Miriam and Johanna Eriksson Berhan have something ordinary mortals don't. Their unique co-singing style and complex, yet simple, songwriting makes them one of the best acts I've seen on the entire festival. A must-see if possible. Laleh on the other hand, is a don't-see, at least when it comes to a festival gig. The Pampas stage is too big for an intimate artist like Laleh and the sound was quite terrible. No, next time I hope she'll get to play one of the smaller stages. A band that should definitely play the larges stages is Mando Diao. Their gig on the main stage only manifests what we already knew for sure, that Mando Diao is one of the best live bands in Sweden right now.

Still now really satisfied by what I've seen so far on the festival, I went to see Asha Ali first thing the last day. And I'm glad I did. Having released a critically acclaimed EP, "Warm fronts" in 2005, she just recently released her first full-length self-titled album and now she stands ready to take on the world with her striking singer/songwriter-meets-soul music.

Dennis Lyxzén is a man of many words and projects, I'm sure you've heard about a few of them (Refused, The (International) Noise Conspiracy). The Lost Patrol Band is his take on classic old-school punk rock. Not all that exciting, it's been done before, but still enjoyable. Lisa Miskovsky on the other hand, is hardly exciting at all these days. I never really liked her much laid back (and well produced) country pop songs. It's got no edge what so ever. Sure, I did enjoy a couple of songs laying in the grass in front of the stage, but nothing more. Sadly, I had my hopes up in vain for a duet between Lisa Miskovsky and Dennis Lyxzén in the last song of the set, "Alright". I mean, Dennis was in the neighbourhood after all.

Turbonegro is still one of rock's most overrated bands. I did enjoy them the first time I saw them on the Hultsfredsfestival, but nowadays they seem to play each and every year on each and every festival there is. Not all things sucked on this year's festival though; there was one artist that totally blew me away. Saving the best to last, Norwegian self proclaimed Queen of the World, Ida-Maria, put up a show that will be remembered for years to come. It was so honest and genuine; she was ready to blow anytime. The voice! The power! And the anthem! "Oh my god" is the best fucking song I've heard in ages. Thank you Ida-Maria for making my festival worth the while.

- Christian Stenbacke

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
02. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
03. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
04. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
05. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
06. Lillasyster - Hjärndöd musik för en hjärndöd generation
07. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
08. Vikingarna - Bästa kramgoa låtarna 2
09. Nanne - Jag måste kyssa dig
10. Marie Lindberg - Trying to recall
11. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
12. The Boppers - 30
14. Shout Out Louds - Our ill wills
15. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
16. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
17. Mr Jones Machine - Återvändsgränd
18. Jerry Williams - I can jive - Det bästa med Jerry Williams
19. Laleh - Prinsessor
20. Emilia - Små ord av kärlek

Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
02. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
03. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
04. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
05. Vikingarna - Bästa kramgoa låtarna 2
06. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
07. Marie Lindberg - Trying to recall
08. Cornelis Vreeswijk - CV - Det bästa med Cornelis Vreeswijk
09. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
10. Shout Out Louds - Our ill wills
11. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
12. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
14. Nanne - Jag måste kyssa dig
15. Jerry Williams - I can jive - Det bästa med Jerry Williams
16. Laleh - Prinsessor
17. Calaisa - Calaisa
18. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
19. The Boppers - 30
20. Björn Rosenström - Ett Jubileum som är sådär....10 1/2 år

Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
02. Sonja Aldén - Till dig
03. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
04. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
05. Vikingarna - Bästa kramgoa låtarna 2
06. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
07. Shout Out Louds - Our ill wills
08. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
09. Nanne - Jag måste kyssa dig
10. Jerry Williams - I can jive - Det bästa med Jerry Williams
11. Marie Lindberg - Trying to recall
12. Jimmy Jansson - Sån e jag
14. Sebastian - The vintage virgin
15. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
16. The Boppers - 30
17. Björn Rosenström - Ett Jubileum som är sådär....10 1/2 år
18. Arvingarna - All included - Arvingarnas största hits 1992-2007
19. Laleh - Prinsessor
20. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Ark - Prayer for the weekend
02. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing
03. Sofia Karlsson - Visor från vinden
04. Vikingarna - Bästa kramgoa låtarna 2
05. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg
06. Jerry Williams - I can jive - Det bästa med Jerry Williams
07. Nanne - Jag måste kyssa dig
08. Dark Tranquility - Fiction
09. Markoolio - Värsta Plattan
10. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
11. Marie Lindberg - Trying to recall
12. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
14. Pain - Psalms of extinction
15. Emilia - Små ord av kärlek
16. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown
17. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking?
18. Björn Rosenström - Ett Jubileum som är sådär....10 1/2 år
19. Laleh - Prinsessor
20. Andreas Johnson - The collector

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Ingmar Nordströms - Ingmar Nordströms Saxpartyfavoriter
02. Andreas Johnson - The collector
03. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
04. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Jimmy Jansson - Sån e jag
07. Erik Segerstedt - A different shade
08. Sebastian - The vintage virgin
09. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
10. Sanna Nielsen - Sanna 11-22
11. Calaisa - Calaisa
12. Sabaton - Metalizer
14. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
15. Tomas Andersson Wij - En introduktion till Tomas Andersson Wij
16. Weeping Willows - Fear & love
17. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
18. Veronica Maggio - Vatten & bröd
19. Laleh - Prinsessor
20. Säkert! - Säkert!

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Ingmar Nordströms - Ingmar Nordströms Saxpartyfavoriter
02. Erik Segerstedt - A different shade
03. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
04. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
07. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
08. Calaisa - Calaisa
09. Weeping Willows - Fear & love
10. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
11. Tomas Andersson Wij - En introduktion till Tomas Andersson Wij
12. Veronica Maggio - Vatten & bröd
14. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
15. Laleh - Prinsessor
16. Säkert! - Säkert
17. Helena Josefsson - Dynamo
18. Nicolai Dunger - Rösten och herren
19. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
20. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Timbuktu - Oberoendeframkallande
02. Erik Segerstedt - A different shade
03. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
04. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Weeping Willows - Fear & love
07. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
08. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
09. Calaisa - Calaisa
10. Veronica Maggio - Vatten & bröd
11. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
12. Laleh - Prinsessor
14. Säkert! - Säkert
15. Fläskkvartetten - Voices of Eden
16. Jill Johnson - The woman I've become
17. Östen Med Resten - 19 bästa och resten med Östen
18. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
19. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
20. Anna Ternheim - Separation road

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Weeping Willows - Fear & love
02. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
03. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
04. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
07. Calaisa - Calaisa
08. Säkert! - Säkert
09. Laleh - Prinsessor
10. Isolation Years - Sign, sign
11. Fläskkvartetten - Voices of Eden
12. Veronica Maggio - Vatten & bröd
14. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
15. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
16. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
17. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
18. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
19. Jill Johnson - The woman I've become
20. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

New reviews posted today: [click here]
Artists covered include Laleh, Saint Thomas and Sofia Talvik.

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Sophie Zelmani - Memory loves you
02. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
03. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
04. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
05. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
06. Calaisa - Calaisa
07. Säkert! - Säkert
08. Ane Brun - Live in Scandinavia
09. Fläskkvartetten - Voices of Eden
10. Laleh - Prinsessor
11. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
12. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
14. The Knife - Silent shout
15. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
16. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
17. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
18. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
19. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
20. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart

Laleh Princessor Warner Music Sweden

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Second album from hippiechick-come-eccentric who can sing like bat out'a hell, and is named after the fifth Tellytubby (allegedly). Brace yourself, it's a full on affair. That I set the player to random seems to have made no difference because 'random' is the operative for "Prinsessor". Warped classical, circus bigtop, singer/songwriter mark a few of the turns - and don't she just love la-la-la-la's, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma's and bird song sound effects. Note the dual assault of English and Swedish language songs. There's lots of movement to "Closer"; bombastic to begin then insipid McDonald's equivalent of Dub is: "Call on me".
A horrendous mish-mash of styles and so ear bashingly provided; but she does have these flashes between keys throughout. Bear in mind Laleh is one massive pastiche, and that "Step on You" could be called 'The world's best song by the greatest session musicians ever' - Fleetwood Mac would have been proud! It's preposterous, but The Knife ought to get Laleh's vocal sampled - not least on the first few versus of "I know this". This album is genuinely good when ambling, but hideous when clever.

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
02. Caroline Af Ugglas - Joplin på Svenska
03. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
04. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
05. Fläskkvartetten - Voices of Eden
06. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
07. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
08. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
09. The Knife - Silent shout
10. Laleh - Prinsessor
11. Calaisa - Calaisa
12. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
14. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
15. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
16. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
17. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
18. Jill Johnson - The woman I've become
19. Orup - Faktiskt
20. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (05) Regina Spektor - Samson
02. (06) The Shins - Phantom limb
03. (01) The Ark - Absolutely no decorum
04. (NY) Sahara Hotnights - Cheek to cheek
05. (03) Säkert! - Vi kommer att dö samtidigt
06. (02) The Pipettes - Judy
07. (12) Joss Stone - Tell me about it
08. (NY) Tingsek - Proud to be part of these days
09. (04) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Satan said dance
10. (ÅT) Klaxons - Golden skans
11. (07) Kleerup med Robyn - With every heartbeat
12. (NY) The Concretes - Oh no
13. (09) Melody Club - Fever fever
14. (17) Koop - I see a different you
15. (NY) The Jai Alai Savant - Arcane theories
16. (NY) Marit Bergman - Mama, I remember you know
17. (NY) Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
18. (10) Bloc Party - The prayer
19. (14) Ison & Fille - Hela dan varje dag
20. (11) The Cinematics - Keep forgetting

Leaving the chart:
Cold War Kids - Hang me up to dry
Timbuktu - Karmakontot
[ingenting] – Suzanne (Vi kan inte gå hand i hand)
Weeping Willows - The burden
Juvelen - Hanna
Laleh - November
Superpumas - Clear

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Salem Al Fakir - This is who I am
02. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
03. Lena Philipsson - Lena 20 år
04. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
05. Musikal - Cabaret - Svenska uppsättningen
06. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
07. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
08. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
09. Laleh - Prinsessor
10. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
11. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
12. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
14. Calaisa - Calaisa
15. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
16. Studio - Yearbook 1
17. Frida Hyvönen - Music from the dance performance Pudel
18. The Knife - Silent shout
19. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
20. Abba - Number ones

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
02. Laleh - Prinsessor
03. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
04. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
05. Pain of Salvation - Scarsick
06. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
07. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
08. Pernilla Andersson - Baby blue
09. Calaisa - Calaisa
10. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
11. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
12. Abba - Number ones
14. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
15. Orup - Faktiskt
16. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
17. Vikingarna - Bästa
18. Jay-Jay Johanson - The long term physical effects are not yet known
19. Koop - Koop islands
20. Therion - Gothic Kabbalah

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
02. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
03. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
04. Laleh - Prinsessor
05. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
06. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
07. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
08. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
09. Abba - Number ones
10. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
11. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
12. Therion - Gothic Kabbalah
14. Orup - Faktiskt
15. Koop - Koop islands
16. The Refreshments - It's gotta be both rock & roll
17. Vikingarna - Bästa
18. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
19. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
20. Eric Gadd - Gaddamn - The ultimate collection

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
02. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
03. Laleh - Prinsessor
04. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
05. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
06. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
07. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
08. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
09. Orup - Faktiskt
10. Abba - Number ones
11. Anders Ekborg - Äkta vara
12. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
14. Vikingarna - Bästa
15. Eric Gadd - Gaddamn - The ultimate collection
16. Koop - Koop islands
17. The Refreshments - It's gotta be both rock & roll
18. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
19. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
20. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
02. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
03. Laleh - Prinsessor
04. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues
05. Lasse Stefanz - 40 ljuva år!
06. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
07. Orup - Faktiskt
08. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
09. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
10. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
11. Anna Ternheim - Separation road
12. The Refreshments - It's gotta be both rock & roll
14. Abba - Number ones
15. Eric Gadd - Gaddamn - The ultimate collection
16. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
17. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
18. Vikingarna - Bästa
19. Koop - Koop islands
20. Anders Ekborg - Äkta vara

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Markus Fagervall - Echo heart
02. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
03. Laleh - Prinsessor
04. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
05. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
06. Nils Landgren - Christmas with my friends
07. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
08. Darin - Break the news
09. Magnus Carlsson - Spår i snön
10. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
11. Vikingarna - Bästa
12. Frans - Da man
14. The Refreshments - It's gotta be both rock & roll
15. Jill Johnson - The woman I've become
16. Abba - Number ones
17. Orup - Faktiskt
18. Agnes - Stronger
19. Lisa Miskovsky - Changes
20. The Boppers - Jingle bell rock

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (02) Ison & Fille - Hela dan varje dag
02. (NY) Bloc Party - The prayer
03. (04) Laleh - November
04. (03) Albert Hammond Jr - 101
05. (05) Johnossi - Glory days to come
06. (08) Muse - Knights of Cydonia
07. (07) Babyshambles - The blinding
08. (11) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (hey oh)
09. (NY) The Sounds - Painted by numbers
10. (01) Mando Diao - TV & me
11. (06) Regina Spektor - Better
12. (NY) John Legend - Heaven
13. (10) M Ward - Chinese translation
14. (13) 1990's - You're supposed to be my boyfriend
15. (14) Bodyrox med Luciana - Yeah yeah
16. (20) Emmon - Wake up time
17. (17) Herman Düne - I wish that I could see you soon
18. (15) Koop - Come to me
19. (18) Marit Bergman - Eyes were blue
20. (19) The Streets - Prangin' out

Leaving the chart:
Salem Al Fakir - Good song
Panic! At The Disco - But it's better if you do
Gnarls Barkley - Who cares?

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Björn Skifs - Andra Decennier
02. Moneybrother - Pengabrorsan
03. Laleh - Prinsessor
04. Martin Stenmarck - Nio sanningar och en lögn
05. Magnus Carlsson - Spår i snön
06. Nils Landgren - Christmas with my friends
07. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
08. Darin - Break the news
09. Uno Svenningsson & Irma Schultz Keller - Sånger för December
10. The Refreshments - It's gotta be both rock & roll
11. Vikingarna - Bästa
12. Bo Kaspers Orkester - Hund
14. Jill Johnson - The woman I've become
15. Orup - Faktiskt
16. Agnes - Stronger
17. Abba - Number ones
18. Frans - Da man
19. Eric Gadd - Gaddamn - The ultimate collection
20. Nisse Hellberg - Snackbar blues

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Mando Diao - TV & me
02. (Ny) Ison & Fille - Hela dan varje dag
03. (Ny) Albert Hammond Jr - 101
04. (07) Laleh - November
05. (02) Johnossi - Glory days to come
06. (03) Regina Spektor - Better
07. (Ny) Babyshambles - The blinding
08. (09) Muse - Knights of Cydonia
09. (06) Salem Al Fakir - Good song
10. (Ny) M Ward - Chinese translation
11. (10) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (hey oh)
12. (Ny) Panic! At The Disco - But it's better if you do
13. (17) 1990's - You're supposed to be my boyfriend
14. (13) Bodyrox med Luciana - Yeah yeah
15. (05) Koop - Come to me
16. (04) Gnarls Barkley - Who cares?
17. (Ny) Herman Düne - I wish that I could see you soon
18. (Ny) Marit Bergman - Eyes were blue
19. (16) The Streets - Prangin' out
20. (Ny) Emmon - Wake up time

Leaving the chart:
Tingsek - World of it's own
Melody Club - Destiny calling
Asha Ali - Fire fire
Juliette & The Licks - Sticky honey
The Knife - Like a pen
Chingy med Jermaine Dupri - Dem jeans
Moneybrother - De vet ingenting om oss
Jeremy Warmsley - I promise

Top 10s for 2006: Closer

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

01. Tool (live in Gothenburg)

02. Mew (band)

03. The Baritone (instrument)

04. MySpace (hack)

05. Converge - No Heroes (album)

06. God Damn Trio (band, www.goddamntrio.com)

07. Satyricon (live in Gothenburg)

08. Caché (movie)

09. Halloween (costume party)

10. Laleh (live on Swedish morning show Nyhetsmorgon)

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

Closer is officially booked to record their second EP during the first week of January. They are currently in the midst of rehearsing, preparing and arranging. It might get darker and even more intricate this time around.
www.closersounds.com
www.myspace.com/closersounds

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Listen to samples from Laleh's new album "Prinsessor": http://www.laleh.se/music.asp

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The latest Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) Mando Diao - TV & me
02. (02) Johnossi - Glory days to come
03. (04) Regina Spektor - Better
04. (03) Gnarls Barkley - Who cares?
05. (07) Koop - Come to me
06. (09) The Salem Al Fakir - Good song
07. (NY) Laleh - November
08. (10) Tingsek - World of it's own
09. (17) Muse - Knights of Cydonia
10. (NY) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (hey oh)
11. (11) Melody Club - Destiny calling
12. (15) Asha Ali - Fire fire
13. (NY) Boxyrox - Yeah yeah
14. (NY) Juliette & The Licks – Stick honey
15. (05) The Knife - Like a pen
16. (08) The Streets - Prangin' out
17. (NY) 1990's - You're supposed to be my boyfriend
18. (19) Chingy w/Jermaine Dupri - Dem jeans
19. (NY) Moneybrother - De vet ingenting om oss
20. (13) Jeremy Warmsley - I promise

Leaving the chart:
The Magic Numbers - Take a chance
Peter, Bjorn & John - Let's call it off
Fat Joe - Make it rain
Lupe Fiasco - I gotcha
David & The Citizens - A heart and a hand and the love for the band
Goose - British mode

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Laleh's new album "Prinsessor" will be out December 6. If you understand Swedish, go here to read more: http://www.laleh.se/diary.asp

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
03. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
04. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
05. Backyard Babies - People like people like people like us
06. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
07. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
08. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
09. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
10. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
11. Carola - Från nu till evighet
12. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
14. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
15. Robert Wells and His Rhapsody Lounge Orchestra - Full house boogie
16. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
17. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
18. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
19. Sabaton - Attero dominatus
20. Laleh - Laleh

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter Jöback - Flera sidor av samma man
02. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
03. Robert Wells and His Rhapsody Lounge Orchestra - Full house boogie
04. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
05. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
06. Sabaton - Attero dominatus
07. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
08. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
09. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
10. Carola - Från nu till evighet
11. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
12. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
14. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
15. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
16. BWO - Halcyon days
17. Atomic Swing - The broken habanas
18. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
19. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
20. Laleh - Laleh

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
02. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
03. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
04. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
05. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
06. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
07. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
08. Carola - Från nu till evighet
09. Lill Lindfors - Här är den sköna sommaren
10. BWO - Halcyon days
11. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
12. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
13. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
15. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Sebastian - Sebastian
18. Ola - Given to fly
19. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
20. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
02. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
03. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
04. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
05. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
06. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
07. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
08. Carola - Från nu till evighet
09. Lill Lindfors - Här är den sköna sommaren
10. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
11. BWO - Halcyon days
12. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
13. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
14. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
15. Ola - Given to fly
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
18. In Flames - Come clarity
19. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
20. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Tomas Ledin - Plektrum
02. Marie Fredriksson - Min bäste vän
03. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
04. Ola - Given to fly
05. West End Girls - Goes petshopping
06. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
07. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
08. Carola - Från nu till evighet
09. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
10. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
11. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
12. Lill Lindfors - Här är den sköna sommaren
13. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
14. Elias - Shine
15. BWO - Halcyon days
16. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
17. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
18. Caracola - Caracola
19. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
20. Laleh - Laleh

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
02. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
03. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
04. Carola - Från nu till evighet
05. Lill Lindfors - Här är den sköna sommaren
06. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
07. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
08. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
09. Ola - Given to fly
10. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
11. BWO - Halcyon days
12. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
13. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
15. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
16. Atomic Swing - The broken habanas
17. Caracola - Caracola
18. Laleh - Laleh
19. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends
20. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Ola - Given to fly
02. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
03. Carola - Från nu till evighet
04. Peps Persson Oh boy - Det bästa med Peps Persson
05. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
06. Amy Diamond - Still me still now
07. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
08. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
09. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
10. BWO - Halcyon days
11. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
12. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
13. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
14. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
15. Mustasch - Parasite!
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Sebastian - Sebastian
18. Takida - ...Make you breathe
19. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
20. Eldkvarn - Atlantis

Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lasse Stefanz - Pickup 56
02. The Poodles - Metal will stand tall
03. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao på turné
04. Shirley Clamp - Favoriter på Svenska
05. Patrik Isaksson - Patrik Isaksson
06. Magnus Carlsson - Magnus carlsson
07. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
08. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
09. BWO - Halcyon days
10. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
11. Atomic Swing - The broken habanas
12. David Urwitz - I väntan på vad
13. Snook - Är
14. Sebastian - Sebastian
15. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
16. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
17. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
18. The Refreshments - 24-7
19. Backyard Babies - People like people like people like us
20. Laleh - Laleh

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Magnus Carlsson - Magnus carlsson
02. BWO - Halcyon days
03. Eric Gadd - Eric Gadd
04. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
05. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
06. David Urwitz - I väntan på vad
07. Anna Book - Let's dance + 13 favoriter
08. Sebastian - Sebastian
09. Backyard Babies - People like people like people like us
10. The Refreshments - 24-7
11. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
12. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
13. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends
14. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
15. The Knife - Silent shout
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
18. The Radio Dept. - Pet grief
19. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
20. Lotta Engberg - Världens bästa lotta

Thu, 04 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Magnus Carlsson - Magnus Carlsson
02. BWO - Halycon days
03. Eric Gadd - Eric gadd
04. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
05. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
06. David Urwitz - I väntan på vad
07. Anna Book - Let's dance + 13 favoriter
08. Sebastian - Sebastian
09. Backyard Babies - People like people like people like us
10. The Refreshments - 24-7
11. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
12. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
13. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends
14. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
15. The Knife - Silent shout
16. Laleh - Laleh
17. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
18. The Radio Dept. - Pet grief
19. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
20. Lotta Engberg - Världens bästa lotta

Curious as to what the new Sirius Radio "Nordic Rox" program is playing? Check it: http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=FlexContent&cid=1146347242424

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. BWO - Halycon days
02. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
04. Eric Gadd - Eric gadd
05. Backyard Babies - People like people like people like us
06. Anna Book - Let's dance + 13 favoriter
07. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
08. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
09. Sebastian - Sebastian
10. The Refreshments - 24-7
11. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
12. Björn Rosenström & Det Jävla Bandet - Syster Gunbritts hemlighet
13. Takida - ...make you breathe
14. The Radio Dept. - Pet grief
15. Anna Christoffersson/Steve Dobrogosz - It's always you
16. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
17. The Knife - Silent shout
18. Laleh - Laleh
19. Sator - Basement noise
20. Christer Sjögren - King creole

Norwegian electronic/jazz/post-rock act Wibutee will release their new album "Sweet mental" on May 22, but you can already preview a couple tracks at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wibutee
In case you don't recognize that voice on "Sweet ball", it's Anja Garbarek. Sounds great. (via)

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Eric Gadd - Eric gadd
02. Totta & Wiehe - Dylan
03. Lars Winnerbäck - Efter nattens bränder - 1996-2006
04. The Refreshments - 24-7
05. Sebastian - Sebastian
06. Takida - ...make you breathe
07. Andreas Johnson - Mr johnson, your room is on fire
08. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
09. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
10. Christer Sjögren - King creole
11. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
12. The Knife - Silent shout
13. Lotta Engberg - Världens bästa lotta
14. Rebecka Törnqvist - Melting into orange
15. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
16. The Sounds - Dying to say this to you
17. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
18. Helt Off - I huset
19. Laleh - Laleh
20. Marie Serneholt - Enjoy the ride

I'm not sure why, but Pitchfork decided to review Figurines again, this time adding on their coveted "recommended" tag: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/f/figurines/skeleton.shtml

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Sebastian - Sebastian
02. Linda Bengtzing - Ingenting att förlora
03. Petter - P
04. Christer Sjögren - King creole
05. The Sounds - Dying to say this to you
06. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
07. Rigmore Gustafsson - On my way to you
08. The Knife - Silent shout
09. Ulf Lundell - När jag kysser havet - det bästa 75-84
10. Laleh - Laleh
11. Da Buzz - Last goodbye
12. In Flames - Come clarity
13. Ulf Lundell - Venus & jupiter - det bästa 94-05
14. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
15. Ulf Lundell - Danielas hus - det bästa 84-93
16. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
17. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
18. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
19. The Concretes - In colour
20. Andreas Mattsson - The lawlessnes of the ruling classes

PopMatters gives high praise to the Envelopes: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/envelopes_demon/

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Petter - P
02. Sebastian - Sebastian
03. Christer Sjögren - King creole
04. The Knife - Silent shout
05. Rigmore Gustafsson - On my way to you
06. Laleh - Laleh
07. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
08. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
09. Andreas Mattsson - The lawlessnes of the ruling classes
10. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
11. Sanna Nielsen - Nära mej - nära dej
12. Cue - Guide in blue
13. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
14. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
15. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
16. In Flames - Come clarity
17. Agnes - Agnes
18. Thåström - Solo vol 1
19. Darin - Darin
20. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber

The Village Voice covers the special Opeth show "Chronology MCMXCIV-MMV" in which they played rarely heard songs from the entire band's career: http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0611,bosler,72487,22.html

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Sebastian - Sebastian
02. Christer Sjögren - King creole
03. The Knife - Silent shout
04. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Sanna Nielsen - Nära mej - nära dej
07. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
08. Andreas Mattsson - The lawlessnes of the ruling classes
09. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
10. In Flames - Come clarity
11. Thåström - Solo vol 1
12. Agnes - Agnes
13. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
14. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
15. Darin - Darin
16. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
17. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
18. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
19. Anna + Idde - Vägar hem
20. Robyn - Robyn

The Alligator Films website has Elvira Nikolaisen's video for "Love I can't defend" for streaming: http://www.alligatorfilm.no/ (under films->music videos, via)

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Magnus Uggla - Ett bedårande barn av sin tid
02. The Knife - Silent shout
03. Christer Sjögren - King creole
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
06. In Flames - Come clarity
07. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
08. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
09. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
10. Sanna Nielsen - Nära mej - nära dej
11. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
12. Agnes - Agnes
13. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
14. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
15. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
16. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
17. Darin - Darin
18. Robyn - Robyn
19. Torgny Melins - Dansbander
20. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund

Pitchfork reviews Diskaholics Anonymous, the collaboration between Swedish sax player Mats Gustafsson with Thurston Moore and Jim O'Rourke: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/diskaholics-anonymous-trio/weapons-of-ass-destruction-live-in-japan-v1.shtml

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Knife - Silent shout
02. Laleh - Laleh
03. Christer Sjögren - King creole
04. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
05. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
06. In Flames - Come clarity
07. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
08. Sanna Nielsen - Nära mej - nära dej
09. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
10. Agnes - Agnes
11. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
12. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
13. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
14. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
15. Darin - Darin
16. Robyn - Robyn
17. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
18. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
19. Kent - Du & jag döden
20. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått

Aversionline on Norwegian black-metal act Ljå: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/02/shame-and-indemnification.html (scroll down past Bleeding Through)

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Laleh - Laleh
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. In Flames - Come clarity
04. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
05. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
06. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
07. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
08. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
09. Agnes - Agnes
10. Darin - Darin
11. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
12. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
13. Kent - Du & jag döden
14. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
15. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
16. Torgny Melins - Dansbander
17. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
18. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
19. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
20. Jenny Wilson - Love and youth

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. In Flames - Come clarity
02. Laleh - Laleh
03. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
04. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
05. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
06. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
07. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
08. Agnes - Agnes
09. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
10. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
11. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
12. Torgny Melins - Dansbander
13. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
14. Darin - Darin
15. Kent - Du & jag döden
16. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
17. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
18. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
19. Jenny Wilson - Love and youth
20. Christian Kjellvander - Faya

Swedish noiserockers Gemene Man have posted a couple new tunes on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gemeneman

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The winners of the Swedish Grammi awards:

Artist: Laleh
Album: Robyn – Robyn
Pop female: Robyn – Robyn
Pop male: Håkan Hellström – Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
Pop group: Bodies without organs – Prototype
Rock album (solo): Thåström – Skebokvarnsv. 209
Rock group: Kent – Du & jag döden
Songwriting: Robyn/Klas Åhlund –Robyn
Lyrics: Jason Diakité (Timbuktu) – Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Producer: Laleh
Newcomer: Laleh
Hip-hop/soul: Timbuktu – Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Hard-rock: Candlemass – Candlemass
Jazz: Esbjörn Svensson Trio – Viaticum
Club/dance: September – In orbit
Song: Sofia Karlsson – Svarta ballader
Open category: Allan Edwall – Alla Allans visor
DVD: Abba – Abba the movie
Video: Kent - Dom som försvann / Director: Adam Berg
Export prize: In Flames

Full list: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=519658&previousRenderType=6

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Laleh - Laleh
02. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
03. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
04. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
05. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
06. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
07. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
08. Agnes - Agnes
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
11. Torgny Melins - Dansbander
12. Kent - Du & jag döden
13. Darin - Darin
14. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
15. Jenny Wilson - Love and youth
16. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
17. Mia Marianna & Per Filip - Våra mest älskade sånger
18. Matz Bladhs - Gobitar 2006
19. Weeping Willows - Singles again
20. Christian Kjellvander - Faya

Norwegian black-metal act Satyricon has signed with Roadrunner for all territories excluding Norway and North America (where they are on Sony). Read more: http://www.bravewords.com/news/39354

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lisa Ekdahl - Pärlor av glas
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Agnes - Agnes
06. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
07. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
08. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
09. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
10. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
11. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
12. Emil Sigfridsson - Äntligen
13. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
14. Darin - Darin
15. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
16. Matz Bladhs - Gobitar 2006
17. Wahlströms - Tillbaka igen
18. Eddie Meduza - Dragspelsrock
19. Kent - Du & jag döden
20. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Updated German tourdates for The Je Ne Sais Quoi:

03/09 - White Trash, Berlin
03/10 - Sunday Service Festival @ Knust, Hamburg
03/11 - Trinkhalle, Rheine
03/12 - Blue Shell, Köln

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The winners of the P3 Gold awards:

Best pop: Jenny Wilson - "Love and Youth"
Best hip-hop/soul: Hearin’ Aid - "The Boom Lucy"
Best rock/metal: Burst - "Origo"
Best dance: Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso
Guldmicken (best live): Lars Winnerbäck
Best newcomer: Laleh - "Laleh"
Best female artist: Laleh - "Laleh"
Best group: Kent - "Du & jag döden"
Best male artist: Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"
Best song: Timbuktu - "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
02. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
03. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
04. Agnes - Agnes
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
07. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
08. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
09. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
10. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
11. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
12. Kent - Du & jag döden
13. Emilia De Poret - A lifetime in a moment
14. Darin - Darin
15. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
16. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
17. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - A present from the past
18. Ane Brun - Duets
19. Jan Johansson - Jazz på Svenska
20. Eva Dahlgren - Snö

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

The winners of the Swedish categories at this year's Rockbjörnen:

Best male artist: Darin
Best female artist: Laleh
Best group: Bodies Without Organs
Best newcomer: Laleh
Best song: Timbuktu – "Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö"
Best album: Kent – "Du & jag döden"

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. Agnes - Agnes
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
06. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
07. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
08. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
09. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
10. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
11. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
12. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
13. Robyn - Robyn
14. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
15. Darin - Darin
16. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
17. Nanne - Alltid på väg
18. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
19. Moneybrother - To die alone
20. Eva Dahlgren - Snö

Aversionline on Crimes Against Humanity Records and Finnish black-metal act Gaurithoth: http://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/01/if-this-is-life-of-crime-sign-me-up.html

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Håkan Hellström - Nåt gammalt, nåt nytt, nåt lånat, nåt blått
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. Agnes - Agnes
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
06. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
07. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
08. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
11. Robyn - Robyn
12. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
13. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
14. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
15. Nanne - Alltid på väg
16. Darin - Darin
17. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
18. Emilia De Poret - A lifetime in a moment
19. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
20. Eva Dahlgren - Snö

Decoy Music counts down the top 50 instrumental releases of 2005 with Norway's Samuel Jackson Five claiming the #1 spot: http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6776
Other Scandinavians in the list include The Low Frequency in Stereo (#37), Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson (#36), Ellis the Vacuumchild (#17), Sigur Ros (#8) and September Malevolence (#4).

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

The final top 20 Swedish album chart for the year:

01. Agnes - Agnes
02. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
03. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
04. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
05. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
06. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
07. Laleh - Laleh
08. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Darin - Darin
11. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
12. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
13. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
14. Nanne - Alltid på väg
15. Jussi Björling - Från operans värld till svenska sånger
16. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
17. Sven-Ingvars - Livet är nu - 50 år det bästa med sven-ingvars
18. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
19. Brolle Jr - Brolle jr tolkar cornelis - en stund på jorden
20. Peter Lemarc - Sjutton sånger - lemarc sjunger lemarc

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart is exactly the same as last week:

01. Björn Skifs - Decennier sånger från en annan tid
02. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
03. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
04. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
05. Darin - Darin
06. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
07. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
08. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Nanne - Alltid på väg
11. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
12. Laleh - Laleh
13. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
14. Brolle Jr - Brolle jr tolkar cornelis - en stund på jorden
15. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
16. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - A present from the past
17. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
18. Carola - Jul i betlehem
19. Jussi Björling - Från operans värld till svenska sånger
20. Peter Lemarc - Sjutton sånger - lemarc sjunger lemarc

Believe it or not, long-running legendary Swedish grind act General Surgery has actually completed work on their debut full-length album. Read the press release over at DigitalMetal: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=7025

Top 10s for 2005: Micke Orgel

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Top ten greatest moments of 2005:

01. P3 Guld galan, award
When in a couple of hours you hear what's gonna be three of the ten best songs for 2005, it's got to be the best hours of the year!

02. Kent, concert, Malmö, Sweden
Sweden's greatest band gave us the greatest concert.

03. Hello Saferide - Introducing..., album
I didn't expect her album to be this great.

04. Kent - Du och jag döden, album
They did it again.

05. Laleh, artist
She's the breakthrough of the year.

06. Timbuktu - Live at Malmöfestivalen, Malmö
To hear "Alla vill till himlen men ingen vill dö" live was something I wanted to do again since his performance on P3 Guld galan.

07. Moneybrother - To die alone, album
With two hits on my Swedish songs 2005 top ten list, this album was one of the greatest this year.

08. Junip, artist
José González' band sounded better than I expected.

09. Elin Sigvardsson - Smithereens, album
Finally I can enjoy the song Claudia on my stereo.

10. It's a trap, website
Where else would I get all the news I write about on my blog?

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

Micke writes the excellent Swedish music blog "Micke Orgel goes live - Om svensk musik".
mickeorgel.blogspot.com

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

The nominees for the Swedish Grammis have been announced:

Best pop female:
Amy Diamond - This is me now
Ane Brun - A temporary dive
Frida Hyvönen - Until death comes
Jenny Wilson - Love and youth
Robyn - Robyn

Best pop male:
Darin - Darin
Håkan Hellström - Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
Son of a plumber - Son of a plumber

Best pop group:
Alcazar - Dancefloor deluxe
Bodies without organs - Prototype
CDOASS - Extra fingers
Doktor Kosmos - Ett enkelt svar
Suburban kids with biblical names - #3

Best rock album (solo):
Christian Kjellvander - Faya
Freddie Wadling - Jag är monstret
Moneybrother - To die alone
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209
Tomas Andersson Wij - Tomas Andersson Wij

Best rock group:
Kent - Du & jag döden
Soundtrack of our lives - A present from the past
The Ark - State of the Ark
The Cardigans - Super extra gravity
The Hellacopters - Rock & roll is dead

Best composer:
Anders Wedin (Moneybrother) - To die alone
Joakim Berg - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Robyn/Klas Åhlund - Robyn
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209

Best lyrics:
Håkan Hellström - Ett kolikbarns bekännelser
Jason Diakité - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
Joakim Berg - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Thåström - Skebokvarnsv. 209

Best proder:
Anders Hansson & Alexander Bard
Bloodshy/Avant
Klas Åhlund
Laleh
Lars Halapi

Best hip-hop/soul:
Hearin'aid - The Boom Lucy
Jaqee - Blaqalixious
Looptroop - Fort Europa
Masayah - p.s.
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best hard-rock:
Candlemass - Candlemass
Hammerfall - Chapter V: Unbent, unbowed, unbroken
Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore Superstar
Meshuggah - Catch thirtythree
Opeth - Ghost reveries

Best jazz:
Bobo Stenson/Anders Jormin/Paul Motian - Goodbye
e.s.t. - Viaticum
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Snake city north
Putte Wickman & Jan Lundgren - An intimate salute to Frankie
Torbjörn Zetterberg - Krissvit

Best club/dance:
Arash - Arash - new version
v/a - Inside Scandinavia vol 2
Hundarna från söder - Troika
September - In orbit
Spånka Nkpg - The City of the golden king

Open category:
Allan Edwall - Alla Allans visor
v/a - Du Beppe, Beppe Wolgers mästerverk
Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
The Latin Kings - Familia Royale
Totta Näslund - Totta 8: Greatest hits!

Best newcomer:
Amy Diamond
Bodies Without Organs
Darin
Frida Hyvönen
Laleh

Best album:
Bodies without organs - Prototype
Kent - Du & jag döden
Laleh - Laleh
Robyn - Robyn
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Best artist:
Kent
Laleh
Moneybrother
Robyn
Timbuktu

Best music dvd:
Abba - Abba the movie
Cornelis Vreeswijk - Cornelis
Evergrey - A night to remember
Marit Bergman - Marit Bergman - Live at Rival
Timbuktu - Funken styr våra steg

Best song:
Amy Diamond - What's in it for me
Darin - Money for nothing
Kent - The hjärta & smärta ep
Robyn - Be mine
Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Full list of every category here: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2198&a=503182

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Here's the Swedish nominees for this year's Rockbjörnen:

Female artist:
Amy Diamond
Anna Ternheim
Laleh
Lena Philipsson
Robyn

Male artist:
Darin
Håkan Hellström
Lars Winnerbäck
Moneybrother
Timbuktu

Group:
Bodies Without Organs
Cardigans
Kent
Millencolin
The Ark

Song:
Darin - Step Up
Laleh - Live Tomorrow
Robyn - Be Mine
Thåström - Fanfanfan
Timbuktu - Alla Vill Till Himmelen Men Ingen Vill Dö

Album:
Darin - Darin
Håkan Hellström - Ett Kolikbarns Bekännelser
Kent - Du Och Jag Döden
Laleh - Laleh
Robyn - Robyn

Newcomer:
Amy Diamond
Bodies Without Organs
Darin
Hello Saferide
Laleh

Vote here: http://www.aftonbladet.se/ettor/webb/2805_normal.html

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
02. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
03. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
04. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
05. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
06. Darin - Darin
07. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
08. Nanne - Alltid på väg
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Brolle Jr - Brolle jr tolkar cornelis - en stund på jorden
11. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
12. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
13. Laleh - Laleh
14. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
15. Carola - Jul i betlehem
16. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
17. Daniel Lemma - Dreamers & fools
18. Jussi Björling - Från operans värld till svenska sånger
19. Emilia De Poret - A lifetime in a moment
20. Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore superstar

Dagbladet's top album picks for 2005, both international and Norwegian-only: http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/3172289350/show/572948 (via)

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

Nominees for the Swedish radio 2006 P3 Gold awards:

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

Best male artist:
Moneybrother
Håkan Hellström
Timbuktu
Alf
Darin

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

Best newcomer:
Laleh
Jenny Wilson
Darin
Le Sport
Frida Hyvönen

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Son of a Plumber - Son of a Plumber
02. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
03. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
04. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
05. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
06. Darin - Darin
07. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
08. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
09. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
10. Nanne - Alltid på väg
11. Daniel Lemma - Dreamers & fools
12. Laleh - Laleh
13. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
14. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
15. Brolle Jr - Brolle jr tolkar cornelis - en stund på jorden
16. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
17. Carola - Jul i betlehem
18. Barbados - Stolt
19. Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore superstar
20. Jussi Björling - Från operans värld till svenska sånger

Indieworkshop reviews Silence the Foe: http://indieworkshop.com/music/2136/

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Thåström - Skebokvarnsv 209
02. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
03. Jill Johnson - The christmas in you
04. Nanne - Alltid på väg
05. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
06. Monica Zetterlund - Z - det bästa med monica zetterlund
07. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
08. Darin - Darin
09. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
10. Laleh - Laleh
11. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
12. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
13. Embassy - Tacking
14. Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore superstar
15. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
16. Rikard Wolff - Allt du kan önska! det bästa från: Rikard Wolff
17. Christian Kjellvander - Faya
18. Grönwalls - En på miljonen
19. September - In Orbit
20. Hans Martin - Minnenas promenad

Brothers Demand has posted samples from every track on their new album "A cod in lipstick": http://www.streamroadmusic.se/

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
02. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
03. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
04. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Nanne - Alltid på väg
07. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
08. Darin - Darin
09. Rikard Wolff - Allt du kan önska! det bästa från: Rikard Wolff
10. Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore superstar
11. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
12. Christian Kjellvander - Faya
13. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
14. Hans Martin - Minnenas promenad
15. September - In Orbit
16. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
17. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
18. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
19. Gemini - Det bästa med karin och anders glenmark
20. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö

Rounder Records has licensed Nicolai Dunger's most recent album "Here's my song..." for US release. Look for it around late February. In other news, Nicolai will contribute a cover of the song "Det gåtfulla folket" for the upcoming Olle Adolphson tribute album "Dubbeltrubbel", due out December 14 via EMI.

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Sophie Zelmani - A decade of dreams 1995-2005
02. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
03. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
04. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Nanne - Alltid på väg
07. Hardcore Superstar - Hardcore superstar
08. Darin - Darin
09. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
10. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
11. Rikard Wolff - Allt du kan önska! det bästa från: Rikard Wolff
12. Christian Kjellvander - Faya
13. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
14. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest Hits - JTM
15. Hans Martin - Minnenas promenad
16. September - In Orbit
17. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
18. Monica Zetterlund - Monicas bästa
19. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
20. Weeping Willows - Singles Again

Starting today and for the next 12 weeks, Hanif will be posting a new demo track for free download. Each mp3 will only be available for that week, so keep checking back to make sure you get every one: http://www.hanif.nu/demos.htm

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Lena Philipsson - Jag ångrar ingenting
02. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
03. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
04. Nanne - Alltid på väg
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Darin - Darin
07. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
08. Christian Kjellvander - Faya
09. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest Hits - JTM
10. September - In Orbit
11. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
12. Hans Martin - Minnenas promenad
13. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
14. Monica Zetterlund - Monicas bästa
15. Tiger Lou - The Loyal
16. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
17. Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
18. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
19. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
20. Christer Sjögren - Love Me Tender

Hybris has posted new videos from Montt Mardié and Like Honey on their website: http://www.hybrism.com/video.php

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
02. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
03. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Christian Kjellvander - Faya
06. Nanne - Alltid på väg
07. ABBA - ABBA Gold - Greatest Hits - JTM
08. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
09. Monica Zetterlund - Monicas bästa
10. Darin - Darin
11. Christer Sjögren - Love Me Tender
12. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
13. Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
14. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader (sjunger Dan Andersson)
15. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
16. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
17. Emilia De Poret - A Lifetime in a Moment
18. Carola - Störst av allt
19. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
20. Hans Martin - Minnenas promenad

The Margarets will go into the studio next week to record a cover of Roy Orbison's "Pretty woman" for use in director Hans Petter Moland's new film "Gynmaslærer Pedersen". The film is set to premiere in February.

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
02. Eva Dahlgren - Snö
03. Darin - Darin
04. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
05. Weeping Willows - Singles Again
06. Laleh - Laleh
07. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
08. Mauro Scocco - Herr Jimsons äventyr
09. Thomas Andersson Wij - Thomas Andersson Wij
10. Ulf Lundell - Lazarus
11. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
12. Emilia De Poret - A Lifetime in a Moment
13. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
14. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
15. Kent - Du & jag Döden
16. Robyn - Robyn
17. Musikal - Mamma Mia
18. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
19. Tom Levin - Me, My Band that I älskar
20. Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #3

Norwegian dreamy pop act The Lionheart Brothers have updated their website witht the video for "Time river floaty" as well as various mp3s from their most recent album "White angel black apple": http://www.thelionheartbrothers.com/media.php

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

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

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

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

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

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

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
02. Björn Afzelius - Björn Afzelius bästa
03. Laleh - Laleh
04. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
05. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
06. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
07. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
08. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
09. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
10. Musikal - Mamma Mia
11. Ebba Grön - Samlingen
12. Lasse Lindh - Lasse Lindh
13. Robyn - Robyn
14. The Latin Kings - Familia Royale
15. Ted Gärdestad - Sol Vind & Vatten
16. Nocturnal Rites - Grand Illusion
17. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta Ballader
18. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
19. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
20. The Bear Quartet - Saturday night

Tons of new Scandinavian reviews on Aversionline today:

Ambulance - The end of our time
Icos - Walk with me
Auktion - D-beat rock'n'roll mayhem
Audiopain - Contagious
Audiopain - 1986

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
02. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
03. Laleh - Laleh
04. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
05. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
06. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
07. Ebba Grön - Samlingen
08. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
09. Musikal - Mamma Mia
10. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
11. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
12. Robyn - Robyn
13. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
14. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta Ballader
15. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
16. Crashdïet - Rest in Sleaze
17. Carola - Störst av allt
18. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
19. Nocturnal Rites - Grand Illusion
20. Kent - Du & Jag Döden

Aversionline reviews Swedish dark ambient act Jarl: http://www.aversionline.com/reviews/2725/

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
02. Louise Hoffsten - From Linköping to Memphis
03. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
04. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
07. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
08. Ebba Grön - Samlingen
09. Musikal - Mamma Mia
10. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
11. Robyn - Robyn
12. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
13. Moneybrother - To Die Alone
14. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
15. Crashdïet - Rest in Sleaze
16. Toni Holgersson - Tecken på liv
17. Carola - Störst av allt
18. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
19. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta Ballader
20. Kent - Du & Jag Döden

Guitarist Anni has left The Models. The ladies will continue on as a three-piece.

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
02. The Rasmus - No Fear
03. The Cardigans - I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer
04. HIM - Wings Of A Butterfly
05. Crashdiet - Breakin The Chainz
06. Darin - Why Does It Rain
07. Håkan Hellström - Gårdakvarnar och Skit
08. The Legends - He Knows The Sun
09. Timbuktu - Stirra Ner
10. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
11. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
12. Blindside - Fell In Love With The Game
13. Stratovarius - Maniac Dance
14. Karl Larsson - Off The Cliff
15. Jupither - Love
16. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
17. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
18. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
19. Thomas Dybdahl - If We Want It, It's Right
20. Hellacopters - I'm In The Band

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
02. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
03. Opeth - Ghost Reveries
04. Laleh - Laleh
05. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
06. Ebba Grön - Samlingen
07. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
08. Toni Holgersson - Tecken på liv
09. Crashdïet - Rest in Sleaze
10. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
11. Musikal - Mamma Mia
12. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
13. Robyn - Robyn
14. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
15. Carola - Störst av allt
16. Darin - The anthem
17. Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
18. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
19. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
20. Helena Paparizou - My Number One

Swedish post-punks United have posted a couple new mp3s for download: http://www.ripoff.se/united/sounds/sounds.php

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
02. The Rasmus - No Fear
03. Crashdiet - Breakin The Chainz
04. HIM - Wings Of A Butterfly
05. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
06. Darin - Why Does It Rain
07. The Legends - He Knows The Sun
08. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
09. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
10. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
11. Stratovarius - Maniac Dance
12. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
13. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
14. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
15. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
16. Karl Larsson - Off The Cliff
17. Peshi - Hush Hush
18. Håkan Hellström - Gårdakvarnar och Skit
19. Thomas Dybdahl - If We Want It, It's Right
20. Laleh - Live Tomorrow

Challengers:
01. Timbuktu - Stirra Ner
02. Jupither - Love
03. The Cardigans - I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer
04. Hellacopters - I'm In The Band
05. Blindside - Fell In Love With The Game

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Peter LeMarc - Sjutton sånger - LeMarc sjunger LeMarc
02. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
03. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
04. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Crashdïet - Rest in Sleaze
07. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
08. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
09. Musikal - Mamma Mia
10. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
11. Robyn - Robyn
12. Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine
13. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
14. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
15. Sofia Karlsson - Svarta ballader
16. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
17. Darin - The anthem
18. Christian Walz - Paint By Numbers
19. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
20. Peter Jöback & Göteborgs Symfoniker - Storybook

PopMatters reviews José González: http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/gonzalezjose-veneer.shtml

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. The Rasmus - No Fear
02. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
03. HIM - Wings Of A Butterfly
04. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
05. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
06. Darin - Why Does It Rain
07. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
08. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
09. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
10. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
11. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
12. Håkan Hellström - Gårdakvarnar och Skit
13. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
14. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
15. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty Love
16. Firefox - What's That Sound
17. Kaizers Orchestra - Maestro Kaizerecords
18. Thomas Dybdahl - If We Want It, It's Right
19. Peshi - Hush Hush
20. Alcazar - Start The Firt

Challengers:
01. Saint Thomas - Morning Dancer
02. Crashdiet - Breakin The Chainz
03. Stratovarius - Maniac Dance
04. Karl Larsson - Off The Cliff
05. The Legends - He Knows The Sun

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:

01. Tommy Nilsson - Tiden Före Nu
02. Amy Diamond - This Is Me Now
03. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype
04. Peps Blodsband - Äntligen!
05. Laleh - Laleh
06. Musikal - Mamma Mia
07. Timbuktu - Alla vill till himmelen men ingen vill dö
08. CajsaStina Åkerström - De vackraste orden
09. Robyn - Robyn
10. Benny Anderssons Orkester - Bao!
11. Kent - Du & Jag Döden
12. Christian Walz - Paint By Numbers
13. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
14. Carola - Störst av allt
15. Darin - The anthem
16. Magnus Uggla - Den tatuerade generationen
17. Lena Philipsson - Det gör ont en stund på natten men inget på dan
18. Peter Jöback & Göteborgs Symfoniker - Storybook
19. Ulf Lundell - Högtruck
20. Di Leva - Själens krigare: Samlade sånger

Cake on Cake's new album has been delayed until September, but she informs me that the upcoming US tour from November 11 through December 22 will be confirmed shortly.

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

This week's MTV UpNorth video chart:

01. The Rasmus - No Fear
02. Midnight Monkeys - Monkeys On Attack
03. HIM - Wings Of A Butterfly
04. Apulanta - Pahempi Toistaan
05. TwoPointEight - Red Eye
06. Östermalm - Le Åt Allt
07. Darin - Why Does It Rain
08. Lene Marlin - How Will It Be
09. Division Of Laura Lee - Dirty Love
10. Firefox - What's That Sound
11. Peshi - Hush Hush
12. Röyksopp - Only This Moment
13. Laleh - Live Tomorrow
14. Hellacopters - Everything's On TV
15. Marion Raven - Break You
16. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Station To Station
17. Svenska Akademin - Du Vill Så Du Kan
18. Alcazar - Start The Firt
19. JR Ewing - Fucking & Champagne
20. Oscar Sharp / Melo - Runaway

Challengers:
01. Kaizers Orchestra - Maestro Kaizerecords
02. Håkan Hellström - Gårdakvarnar och Skit
03. Thomas Dybdahl - If We Want It, It's Right
04. Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
05. Musikk & John Rock - Love Changes

Go here to vote for your favorite: http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=4753