If you've been reading this site for awhile, hopefully you've learned how to read between the lines as to whether or not I like something without me necessarily coming out and saying it. Or at least you've figured out my tastes well enough to make some educated guesses. Being said, I've linked up a lot of really mediocre crap in recent memory and I'm really sorry that I haven't been able to balance it out with lots of quality mp3 posts or well-spoken reviews. We do what we can, but resources are slim. Accept my apologies along with an mp3 of solid Swedish goth rock from Principe Valiente. The band's self-titled debut is out now via and should appeal to all fans of shoegazey dark pop such as Broder Daniel or Interpol.
Swedish goth-rockers Principe Valiente are streaming a new track at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/principevaliente
Look for the band's self-titled debut album to be released on February 23 via .
Swedish dark pop act Principe Valiente will release their new single "The night" on September 15 via . Look for a video by director Henning Cronheim, production assistant for the "Millennium Trilogy" movies ("The girl with the dragon tattoo" etc).
I guess we'll always have Paris. That is, bands LIKE Paris that are pretty good, pretty talented, pretty nice to listen to, but somehow a little less than transcendent. This Swedish quartet have made a second album that would be the envy of many lesser bands. The rhythm section is crack, and Annika's pipes are pleasing if sorta rote. Tunes alternate between ringing indie rock ala Elastica, Ladytron and a few others, and Annie-esque dance-pop like "60 minutes" and "Ladies man." And I dig the chiming guitars and retro-delica feel of "Something has to be done" very much. It all sounds dandy on the car stereo as you're zipping down the road, but I don't know...I just wasn't moved by Paris much. The down side of there being so many superb bands in Sweden is that you can be a perfectly fine little outfit, but if you don't have that extra edge, you suffer by comparison. And I just don't hear the edge in this band...not yet. Still better than lots of similar British and American bands, though. Maybe it'll be a grower, we'll see... - Kevin Renick