IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Jens Lekman - Erica America (+ new album details)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:41:20 -0700

"Erica America" is the first sample tune from the upcoming Jens Lekman album "I know what love isn't", just confirmed for release on September 3 in Europe, September 4 in the US via Secretly Canadian/Service.

Ikons - Sister (video)

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:47:21 -0700

New stuff from Ikons off their forthcoming album "Life rhythm", due out in May via Service. Seems like they've officially abandoned their previously darker, more interesting and instrumental/Kraut-heavy sound for a lackluster baggy/Madchester sort of pop thing. Forgive me if I can't conceal my disappointment, but this isn't very good.

Ikons - Free spirit

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:41:37 -0800

Via Service, here's a new track from Ikons which shows the band going in a far less dark direction than before: http://servicedecennium.tumblr.com/post/18553370783/ikons-free-spirit-on-all-three-albums-coming

An argument with myself on pic disc

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:45:13 -0700

Service is doing a picture disc 12" version of the new Jens Lekman EP: http://srvc.se/jens-lekman/an-argument-with-myself%21

New album confirmed for Shine 2009

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:38:46 -0800

The new album "Realism" from Finnish electronic pop duo Shine 2009 has been confirmed for release on April 12 via Service offshoot label Cascine.

Forest LP preview

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:20:05 -0800

Service has announced that they will be releasing Forest's self-titled debut LP on February 21 in a limited edition of 250 copies. Preview here: http://srvc.se/forest/forest

Cascine signs World Tour

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:41:15 -0800

Service offshoot label Cascine has announced the signing of new Swedish act World Tour. Check out their debut single "Sparks" here: http://www.cascine.us/world-tour-sparks.php

Service, the app

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:29:56 -0800

Service now has an app: http://srvc.se/service/app

Forest - Soon be over

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:31:21 -0800

Preview the new single "Soon be over" from Forest, out soon via Service: http://srvc.se/forest/forest-soon-be-over

Service begets Casine

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:00:10 -0700

Service has launched a new US-based offshoot label called Cascine with a focus on "alt-pop and experimental electronic music with a major-key bent." Their debut release will be an EP from Finnish duo Shine 2009 called "Associates" with an album to follow in 2011. Samples and more info: http://www.cascine.us/

Imperial launches publishing offshoot

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:57:36 -0700

Imperial Recordings is following Service¹ into the publishing business with "Va för jävla pack e ni?", a tome on Sweden's football hooligans. Or something like that. More info at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Va-for-javla-pack-e-ni-Berattelsen-om-Stockholms-fotbollsklackar/115792455139673

Service to publish a book

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:08:58 -0700

Service is branching out from the record business and will be publishing a book: http://srvc.se/service/fula-edith-en-dag-blev-vi-stora
More here: http://fulaedith.blogspot.com/

Service now streaming

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:22:30 -0700

Service is now streaming their entire catalogue at their newly revamped website: http://srvc.se/

Ikons s/t Service

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:04:06 -0700

There's nothing quite like the feeling induced by an airy, nostalgic collection of music that appeals to all the senses rather than simply landing on the ears and, well, sounding like the average album does. Thankfully, "Ikons" is not your average album. Simply listening to this results in a variety of sweeping images being projected into the mind's eye. For example, opener "Slow light" conjures up images of gliding through clear blue skies, ultimate freedom and joy at the forefront of the imagination. And maybe this isn't even the correct interpretation -- if there is one. That's one of the appeals of this album; the ability to induce imaginative visuals and for each listener to have his own ideas of what the music represents. Vocals are used very sparingly here, and when they do appear they offer a distinct '80s new-wave aura that fits perfectly with the rest of the music. "Ikons" is one of those albums that offers a wide variety of styles from song to song while remaining completely coherent as a single entity. There's the chill-out ambience of "Domine", the anthemic "Bye", the pure rock of "The hawk" and everything in between. The oblique return to "Slow light" for closer "Untitled" works unbelievably well in winding the album down on a positive note. While "Ikons" is a wonderful album sonically, it must surely come into its own in the live environment, since an integral part of the band's lineup is visual artist Patrik Johansson, who plies his trade onstage by creating stunning visual concepts to complement the music. They've been lauded for their live shows in the past and one can only imagine how sublime the coupling of the two artforms would work in that setting.

Lake Heartbeat vinyl on the way

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:07:05 -0800

Service will be pressing a limited run of Lake Heartbeat LPs which should hopefully be ready by mid-April, just in time for Record Store Day.

SRVC Paris #1

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:10:30 -0800

Swedist act Boat Club will be heading to Paris with folks from their label Service for a showcase at Le Tigre on February 18. Details at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=271809671892

Jens Lekman Nights falls over Kortedala Service/Secretly Canadian

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This must surely be one of the most eagerly awaited albums of the year, not just for me but for a lot of people out there. I was a little scared to listen to it at first, fearing that it wouldn't be as good as I've so intensely wanted it to be. At first I was a bit confused, I thought the album was too much about clever instrumentation and sampling, but then after a few proper listenings (i.e. not on the bus while reading the paper) the songs started to appear for me out of the hodgepodge of different sounds, and it all made sense. Most of the tracks on "Night falls..." are simply pretty (and quite bombastic) pop songs, despite all the odd samples, use of instruments etc. The thing that got me hooked on Jens Lekman was his fabulous and quirky lyrics, and the lyrics on this album are probably his best ever. Some of the choruses Lekman's penned for this album are simply stunning, his songwriting skills are just getting better and better. There are a couple of tracks that I'm not overly keen on, but then three or four songs on here are already classics, as far as I'm concerned, and the more I listen to the rest, the more the album seems like another Jens Lekman solid release that you'll love and treasure. Sweet, reliable and sure to pick you up, just like a good cup of coffee - Jens Lekman's back and he's still fantastic!

The Embassy A compact disc including the Embassy Service

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This sounds like bad karaoke over lost Pet Shop Boys b-sides. The songs aren't that great and the vocals are positively atrocious. While their shtick might be mildly entertaining at times, their music is not. Maybe someday we can all look back at The Embassy and have a good laugh, but for now I ain't having it.

Cat5 Play this loud/Sexy CDS Service

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

Pretentiousness aside, this is almost a perfect slice of pure (somewhat) subversive pop with sexy lyrics and vocals. They look like a female version of labelmates The Tough Alliance, but their music is much less indie and way more pop. Fun stuff.

The Tough Alliance The new school Service

Mon, 09 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Last year, The Tough Alliance released a couple of EPs that were so good that it almost makes me cry to think about them. I haven't longed to hear an album by ANY band like I longed for "The new school", since perhaps Oasis' stinker "Be here now". It was stupid of me to have such crazy hopes though, since no album ever released would be able to live up to these insanely high expectations. The album is very good, it contains a lot of excellent songs, don't get me wrong, but it also makes me wonder if perhaps TTA, like their label comrade Jens Lekman, work better on EPs than on full-length albums. Now, after initial disappointment, I've invested my confused hopes in the possibility that "The new school" is a grower.

The Tough Alliance Holiday EP Service

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800

The Tough Alliance, the tough ass band that carry baseball bats in their photos and sings about how Coca-Cola runs in their veins, have now on their second single penned a super catchy love song. Right now, I'm looking forward to The Tough Alliance's album more than anything else. Their electropunk has taken me by storm and if there's a more interesting band in the whole wide world, please tell me. This EP also consists of a fine cover of Primal Scream's "Velocity girl" and some sort of weird interlude.

The Embassy Wearing our pop art hearts on our sleeves EP Service

Sun, 11 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Is Service totally determined to only sign acts with the worst vocals ever? I just don't get it. The music isn't so bad - it's your standard Göteborg-style pop with keyboards. "Flipside of a memory" reminds me a bit of Tears for Fears on the instrumental passages. But man oh man, the singing on the first song "Instructions" is so out of tune and awful, I almost thought it was a joke. Nobody really thinks that sounds good, do they?