IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Top 10s for 2009: It's a Trap!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

10. [ingenting] - Tomhet, idel tomhet (Labrador Records)
A record that is expansive in sound, but still very direct in feeling. [ingenting] aimed for the stars with this one and nailed it.

09. Agent Side Grinder - Irish recording tape/The transatlantic tape project (Enfant Terrible)
Enjoyable as separate entities, though far better when considered as a matched pair. This band has not only mastered the sound of old-school industrial, they can also write great catchy songs (see: "Irish recording tape") and create engrossing abstract soundscapes ("The transatlantic tape project").

08. Pistol Disco - Evergreen (Celebrity Lifestyle)
This group gets better and better with every release and now, with the addition of live drums, they've soared to new heights of brain-roasting awesomeness. Listen LOUD!

07. The Bear Quartet - 89 (Adrian Recordings)
A no-brainer. Still reigning as Sweden's best band.

06. The Fine Arts Showcase - Dolophine smile (Adrian Recordings)
The rawest of breakup records, the grandest of pop. Gustaf Kjellvander's defining moment as an artist (thus far).

05. Wadruna - Runaljod - gap var Ginnunga (Indie Recordings/Fimbulljóð Productions)
Pure pagan beauty, performed in the old ways to appease the old gods. If you don't like this, you're no fan of Scandinavian music.

04. Björn Kleinhenz - B.U.R.M.A./Head held high on fearsome pride (DevilDuck Records/SellOut! Music/Tomt Recordings/Eget Bevåg Grammofon)
Another twofer, except this time I've listened to all these songs on shuffle so many times I can't separate them anymore. 2009 was the year that Björn Kleinhenz dedicated himself to his art 100% and it shows. I always have high expectations for his work, but these two records blew me away.

03. Samuraj Cities - Mixed up record collections (Imperial Recordings)
The music reflects the title; a brazen mix of different sounds and ideas, leading the way for the future of Swedish indierock. Sometimes it's a noisy mess, but that's also what makes it so great.

02. David Åhlén - We sprout in thy soil (Compunctio)
Devotional music is incredibly powerful when performed with such fervent conviction and grace as this. There is a new strain of inspirational music coming out of Sweden right now and its artists are creating some of the most exciting music I've heard in years.

01. Elmo - Once (BD Pop)
Far and away my absolute favorite album of 2009. Elmo takes the melodramatic teen-angst pop of Broder Daniel and ups it to near-farcial levels of hysteria, but they never ever falter. When frontman Magnus Ekelund said that this was the "ultimate Elmo album", he was telling the absolute truth. You can't go up from here.

Honorable mentions

2009 was a very good year for music and there are many worthwhile albums that didn't quite make the cut. Here's 5 more in alphabetical order:
Pintandwefall - Hong Kong, baby! (Supersounds Music)
Thåström - Kärlek är för dom (Universal)
C.Aarmé - World music (Spegel)
Turboweekend - Ghost of a chance (Mermaid Records)
Dear Euphoria - Heal my violence (La Paloma)

Heard too late

These records would've made the list if I had properly heard them at their time of release:
The Scrags - s/t (Alleycat Records)
Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Lost in reflection (Fang Bomb/iDEAL Recordings/Release the Bats/When Skies Are Grey)
Tyrant - The rebirth (reclaim the flame) (Listenable Records/Hells Cargo)

Contributor Lists

Simon Tagestam

Albums

01. Samtidigt Som - Flykt, kärlek & broderskap (Luxury)

02. jj - jj n° 2 (Sincerely Yours)

03. Fever Ray – s/t (Rabid)

04. Lorentz & M.Sakarias - Vi mot världen (Epic)

05. Frida Hyvönen – Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

06. Maskinen – Boys II Men (Pope Records)

07. Taken By Trees – East of Eden (Rough Trade)

08. Körsbärsfettera - Alla ska ha linne (self-released)

09. Sad Day For Puppets - Unknown colors (HaHa Fonogram)

10. Christopher Sander - Hej hå! (Vesper Records)

Songs

01. Montt Mardié – Gloria

02. jj – Are you still in Valda?

03. Anna Järvinen – Äppelöga

04. Samtidigt Som – Tienes mi corazón

06. Maskinen – Pengar

06. Alexis Weak – Disney på is

07. Lorentz & M.Sakarias - Unicorn

08. Christopher Sander - Fattig bonddräng

09. [ingenting] – Halleluja!

10. Makthaverskan - German boy

Arnulf Koehncke

01. Moritz von Oswald Trio - Vertical ascent (Honest Jon's Records)
While technically hardly a Scandinavian album (percussion is handled by Finn Vladislav Delay, electronics and programming by German techno- and dub-mastermind Moritz von Oswald plus modular synths by German Max Loderbauer), I just can't not list this record here. For me, it's this year's equivalent to last year's highlights by Auton or Viktor Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble: A demanding record that pulls you in with its hypnotic patterns and movements, makes you smile at its more obvious moments, and makes you miss it when you're without the beautiful gatefold vinyl and a record player.

02. Kings of Convenience - Declaration of dependence (Virgin/EMI)
I was looking forward to this album and the accompanying gig this fall. The gig did not disappoint -- like always, Erlend still wants to own the stage while Erik charmingly stresses his storytelling-skills and seems to divide his time between his baby and the gym nowadays. But the album surprised me at first. Judging from the last record, I had expected more sixties pop and less starkness and quietude. But I like how this album is less easily had, doesn't let the listener in as easily, but will grow on you nonetheless.

03. [ingenting] - Tomhet, idel tomhet (Labrador Records)
This records sees [ingenting] exchange the more obvious references in their music for more subtle nods to pop music's giants paired with impressively direct lyrics and straight-to-the-point arrangements. If maturity didn't have such negative connotations, one could call the album just that. And "classic" of course, like 80's indiepop is classic, or Sibiria and Vapnet maybe, though in more cynical ways than this record. It seems only fitting that [ingenting] chose to finally drop those "nothing"-puns from their album titles.

04. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
I've always been unsure about the reference points of year-end lists. Is it calender years or more likely personal years? I'm in favor of personal, so I list this album because to me, despite technically being from 2008, it's really a 2009 record. Somehow, the album's full potential -- its melodies, its power, and most of all, its soul (in the secular, Phil Spector meaning of the word)---had passed me by until I saw Frida and her bandmates play live in Berlin in the spring of 2009. So I'm only making up now for not listing it in 2008.

05. The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules (Bubbles)
A friend of mine once compared TWBA to IKEA. They make highly functional music that's devoid of any ornaments and goes straight to the point. And like IKEA-furniture, TWBA's music works extremely well for its purpose: I've seen them play in a gallery's shopwindow for more than 1000 dancing people gathered in the February-cold street before them, and their songs never fail to fill any indie-dancefloor. I guess I'd rather have IKEA than the "next big thing" from England then.

Singles

01. [ingenting] - Dina händer är fulla av blommor
From the first time I heard this song when [ingenting] performed it on Nyhetsmorgon, I was struck with its directness, the way it seems to speak to every single listener. I really like how non-cynical popmusic can do that sometimes!

02. The Fine Arts Showcase - Friday on my knees
It's great how Gustaf and his bandmates deconstruct this song about two-thirds through, dropping riff and chorus for 120 gloomy seconds of noisy guitar and bass, only to shortly resurrect it all before the end. Who needs radio-oriented hits when we can have this instead?

03. The Radio Dept. - David
Yet another year without an album by The Radio Dept. And still I consider them my favorite Scandinavian band. I'm left hoping the new album will sound more like this single and less like its unfocused b-sides. Still, allowing myself a nostalgic moment, they most probably just won't make another "Lesser matters".

04. The Whitest Boy Alive - 1517
We all need our functional dancefloor-fix from time to time, don't we? Especially when it's this well-done.

05. Kommun - Death of a CEO
I've been looking forward to the Kommun-record ever since the people behind Vapnet and Sibiria announced that, since everyone was making "serious" Swedish records now, they'd make a "non-serious" English record instead. And while I haven't fully connected with the album yet, I can't really escape this deeply political singalong about a businessman's afterlife.

Less obvious non-scandi mentions (besides those Grizzly Bears, Animal Collectives, and Pains of Being Pure at Heart): My friend's sister's project Music for Your Heart, Brooklyn's giddy Uninhabitable Mansions, the new Au Revoir Simone record, that Thom Yorke song on the "New Moon" Soundtrack (less movie, more music), and finally moving to and living in Phnom Penh.

Matt Giordano

01. [ingenting] - Tomhet, idel tomhet (Labrador Records)
It was always going to be difficult to follow up "Mycket väsen för ingenting", and for a while I thought that this one fell short. The one day it clicked, I could not even compare the two. This is another stellar release for the band.

02. The Bear Quartet - 89 (Adrian Recordings)
A triumph, but honestly I did not even expect less. The Bear Quartet have returned in the only way they could -- a bludgeoning, brooding album that closes their decade of output by making the audience reconsider what The Bear Quartet is once again.

03. Markus Krunegård - Prinsen av Peking / Lev som en gris dö som en hund (V2)
I try to imagine what pop music in English would sound like if we had an artist like Markus Krunegård. But then I realize that the industry here is exponentially more vapid, someone like Markus would be swept into the corners of dimly lit rooms, never to see his due.

04. Asha Ali - Hurricane (3NO)
Three years after her magnificent debut, Asha Ali gave us a devastating album of loss and internal strife. This album is so personal and fragile it must have been difficult to release it.

05. The Fine Arts Showcase - Dolophine smile (Adrian Recordings)
Another album of loss, but with a very different approach. Gustaf Kjellvander gives us an outside view of the degradation of his relationship, which is always quite to difficult to do. However, in typical TFAS fashion, he succeeds greatly.

06. Pistol Disco - Evergreen (Celebrity Lifestyle)
Falling into the category of noise and shoegaze, which I've been listening to a lot lately, Pistol Disco reach amongst the highs. Put this record on and just ease your mind, and it will take your imagination places.

07. Kristofer Åström - Sinkadus (Startracks)
A new Kristofer Åström album always yields quality. This time, he has rotated three backing bands on record, and it adds so much to his already well-honed songwriting craft.

08. Jonathan Johansson - En hand i himlen (Hyrbis)
What a way to start a career. Jonathan Johansson created one of the better pure-pop albums of the year.

09. jj - jj n° 2 (Sincerely Yours)
Another very good debut, and another very good pop album. jj borderlines on twee, yet mixes soft beats and great vocals.

10. Montt Mardié - Skaizerkite (Hyrbis)
David Pagmar keeps getting more bombastic with each release. Top-notch songwriting and arranging keeps Montt Mardié fans guessing where he'll take his sound next.

Songs:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Stay this way

02. Elias and the Wizzkids - Mr. Right Guy

03. Montt Mardié - Bang bang (An echo in Warsaw)

04. Asha Ali - The contract

05. The Bear Quartet - Northern

06. Ingenting - Lång våg

07. Markus Krungegård - Prinsessan av Peking

08. The Fine Arts Showcase - London, my town

09. Kristofer Åström - A song for while I'm away

10. Markus Krunegård - Kär i en borderline

Peter Bjorn and John Seaside rock Wichita/V2

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

To be rather honest, I haven't really kept up with Peter Bjorn and John since they became everyone's favorite Swedish pop act with "that whistling song". Due to my negligence, I was completely taken aback by the instrumental nature of "Seaside rock" -- not just because there are few vocals (and the ones present are treated like instruments), but because a decent amount of the tracks on the album would be much improved by the introduction of a lyrical voice. It's hard to fully settle into the album. My mind keeps recalling tracks like "Objects of my affection" and "Up against the wall" from "Writer's block", and comparing those songs with the efforts on "Seaside rock" (I hope the rhyming nature of the two album titles was not intentional), this new record doesn't fare too well. It's not awful, not by a stretch, but the sudden and strange shift of tone is... well, awkward (and not in a cute way). The lush pop layering of Peter Bjorn and John has been replaced by avant-garde, postrock-inspired tendencies -- it's like Shout Out Louds following up "Our ill wills" with an album of Godspeed! You Black Emperor covers. There are some fantastic results -- "Barcelona", for example -- but the overall, lasting impression is the question, "Why?" "Seaside rock" is interesting, but it should have been released under a different band name; it's just not a Peter Bjorn and John record, but it has to be judged to that standard... and, sadly, it doesn't live up.

Markus Krunegård Markusevangeliet V2/Universal

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Every issue I had with Laakso's "Mother, am I good looking?" is beautifully absent from frontman Markus Krunegård's debut solo effort. The closest "Markusevangeliet" comes to disappointing is in its occasional similarity to Laakso, but, with Krunegård's band being one of the most original voices to come out of Sweden in years, there is little chance of this spoiling the record. Sadly, for those who do not speak Swedish, Krunegård's decision to sing in this Scandinavian tongue may somewhat blight the album as much of its anthemic power becomes lyrically indecipherable and the ability to sing along is removed. I truly hope this facet of "Markusevangeliet" can be surmounted by non-Swedes, and the strength of Krunegård's songwriting is impressive enough alone to help one overlook the language barrier, but it's worth listening to some of the tracks on his Myspace page to make sure you don't purchase a record that you are too distanced from. Songs like "Samma nätter väntar alla" and "Ibland gör man rätt, ibland gör man fel" are as fascinating in their songwriting and instrumentation as they are defined by Krunegård's dour, lacerating lyrics, and one can hardly fail to notice his unique timbre and delivery as almost an instrument of its own. "Se på mig nu, vad tycker du?" and "Den som dör får se/Markus kyrkogård" are two of the best compositions that Krunegård has ever done, especially when the latter enters into its final section with Krunegård singing: "Om du är rädd sluta med det. Om du är bränd och rädd lägg av med det..."

Despite all of the warnings that Laakso's impressive catalog sent out, "Markusevangeliet" affected me in a way that few records have ever been able to. Markus Krunegård may very well have crafted the best album of 2008.

Don't Be A Stranger Frutti di Mare ia!/V2

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Swedish bands break up and morph into others quicker than an atom, or at least so it seems. The collaborative effort is so high, it's as if the Social-Democracy permeates every level of society, and, within the music scene, usually proves to be a successful act. Here for example, we have Don't Be A Stranger, a band which features former members of Honey Is Cool. For comparative purposes, this is not too dissimilar stylistically from The Concretes and The Tiny, though I find them to be better than the former and more accessible than the latter. On the tracks "Lonely together", "Yellow moon" and "Too late", the band is at their peak, with the mellow, intertwining instruments creating the space needed for the listener's maximum enjoyment. Just because one has an instrument doesn't mean one has to fill every second with sound - and with a group such as Don't Be A Stranger, the notes not played allow the music to be most emphatic.

Christian Kjellvander I saw her from here/I saw here from her Startracks/V2

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Whereas "Faya" was more an extension of "Songs from a two-room chapel"; on his third solo album, Christian Kjellvander has not only been able to carry his lyrical ability through, but the arrangements on this album are such leaps forward. With the tempo brought up to Loosegoats levels on "Poppies and peonies", the single "Two souls" and "The road", the captivation is set for the true improvements: the soft numbers. Strings and distorted guitar solos flesh out "While the birches weep" over a very soft, yet pulsating beat; "Sons of the coast" is over held organ chords and ambiance. Kjellvander's trademark fingerpicking only really comes through on "Somewhere else" although a bit more sparse that usual, but fitting in context of the album. I have not seen much press on this album to date, but on "I saw her from here/I saw here from her", Christian Kjellvander has quietly delivered his best solo outing thus far.

Laakso Västerbron & vampires V2

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

After two releasing stellar albums in the same year, it's not that much of a surprise that a band's follow-up EP would be a bit of a hangover. Beefing up the "Västerbron" single with three new tracks (that feel more like demos), Laakso has gotten a bit more dark to kick into their fall tour. Other than the single, "England" would have to be the best track on the album, and, clocking in at over seven minutes, is quite epic for Laakso. The lyrics and melody are in top self-depricating fashion and it's the most complete of the three b-sides. The middle two, "Lack of blood" and "Great times underground", come across more as rough ideas and, when it comes down to it, lack those great hooks we all have come to love Laakso for. However, the potential is still there for the next Laakso album being great.
(As a comparison, the feel of this is very similar to the "Aussie girl" EP).

Those Dancing Days s/t EP V2

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Those Dancing Days have quickly risen to the hype of bloggers everywhere, and it's not really a surprise, as their style of Nordic soul inspired indie-pop hits many a listeners' ear like sugar on the lips. Being an average age of 17 or so, it must be taking these young ladies by storm, as they're even up for "Best Swedish Artist" at the MTV Europe awards. However, their debut does sound like that - a bunch of 17 year olds making their first recordings. Although the ideas are there, as are the knack for hooks, nothing is as strong as it should be for a band to really have a massive impact. The single "Hitten" and title-track are the two stand-outs on the EP, but the rest seem a bit unconfident. While it's no doubt the band has talent, I hope to see them give it at least another two or three years to hone their craft, and just then, they could be one of Sweden's top acts.

Kristofer Åström RainawayTown Startracks/V2

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A new Kristofer Åström release is always something I make a mental note of, as he has long been a sentimental favourite of mine, Fireside being the band that really got me into Swedish music. "RainawayTown" may come as a bit of a surprise, as this is the first full-length to be recorded without his long-time backing band Hidden Truck. To compare this album to one of his peers, It would be safe to say the consistency prevalent on this album, his first full-fledged alt-country venture, is that which Ryan Adams has been searching for, as this surpasses his excellent "Cold roses". After the stellar (and very indie) "So much for staying alive", I wasn't sure what Kristofer Åström had in his bag of tricks, but I'm very glad that he'd still got a lot in there.

Ane Brun Live in Scandinavia DetErMine/V2

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Masterful. This album will make you readdress what you thought you knew of Brun. Smokey vox and bewitching string segments set stall on this career busting 17 song span of live tracks recorded towards the tail end of 2006. The collection foists great merit on her performances. At times Brun eclipes Åström, Weeping Willows, Madrugada in the bitter sweet stakes. The big sounds wailing blue, alt-country (I should be shot for using that description) on such 'beauts as "Lift me" (with equally beguiling Nina Kinert as opposed to Madrugada's Sivert Høyem), and the more up tempo "No. 6", are just two very strong highlights. "Balloon ranger" darts violin, the double bass. KT Tunstall would be proud of "So you did it again".

The Guild Oh my guild! V2

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Steely Dan fans rejoice! Sylvester Schlegel of The Ark has shed his shiny glam rock Eurovision leotard and slipped on some worn leather cowboy boots to deliver a fine collection of country-tinged anthems. Been searching high and low for the perfect soundtrack for the big family reunion you've got planned this summer? Look no further, my friends. Opening track "One of your dreams" will have Uncle Bob doing the two-step quicker than you can say Creedence Clearwater Revival, while "Klara's waltz" will send Grandma Mae into wistful reveries about them good ol' days. I bet Sylvester's mum is very proud. Apparently their first gig was her 50th birthday party. Aw, bless.

Laakso Mother, am I good looking? V2

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700

I've been formualting this review for a the better part of a couple of weeks and now I think I've got something that makes a bit of sense. To start, the album is flawless - and is the work of a band fully realizing a vision and fully realizing their detachment. Laakso has always been a band slightly skewed, in what direction (or directions) I don't know, but it's always been prevalent in their music and part of their charm. This time around, the music is a bit sunnier, yet the lyrics are some of their darkest. "No one is completely faithful" is the acceptance of defeatist truth, yet sung with one of the band's prettiest melodies to date; "Norrköping" is one of the best coming-of-age songs to be written in a long, long time; and "Dropout" just stuns with its Freddy Mercury-esque wall of harmonies bridge. The lead single "Italy vs. Helsinki" is, just as Avi posted before, completely over the top in all aspects. In fact, one may view the whole album as being a bit over the top, but it works perfectly - in fact, if anything played or sung on this album was absent, the album would feel incomplete. Fans of Laakso with fall in love with the record, but its natural detachment may not be understood by all, but then again, not everyone gets the best albums.

Real Ones Home with the girls in the morning Breaking Records/V2

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

After seeing two great live shows, I made sure to snatch a copy of the Real Ones' latest effort. I listened to it when I got home and heard the beautiful harmonies and folk-rock sound and was just floored instantly. This band has a knack for writing great songs and, with perfect production, has delivered a damn fine album. "Home with the girls..." is just one of those records that gets better as it plays through, moreso with each listen. It's one of those albums that you can go back to a few weeks or even months later and still have the same feeling that Real Ones' songcraft is top-notch (at least for me). If you are unfamiliar with their sound, I'd suggest checking out the tracks "The long sentence" (complete with harpsichord), "Orlando" (with its peaceful harmonies), and the centerpiece "Ballad of an old man" (with their neighbourhood choir joining them on the chorus). Real Ones have spent a bit of time in my CD player lately and it's well deserved.

Johnossi s/t Rekord Musik/V2

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

When I got this album in the mail a couple of months ago, I wasn't really feeling it to be honest. Maybe it was because it was cold and raining, or maybe I just wasn't in the mindset to give it a proper listen. Fast forward to last week—I decide to put it in again, and I really start to like it. Maybe it's because it was now sunny and warm, or maybe it was because it was the right time to give it an honest shot. Whichever the reason, this is a standout pop/rock album, full of catchy songs and excellent guitarwork. Tracks like "Man must dance," "Execution song" and "Happiness a la mode" are great sing-a-longs and the proper album closer "Summerbreeze" is just gorgeous (note: V2's reissue adds three bonus tracks at the end). All in all, a solid debut by a band who's obviously on their way to finding their sound, and all luck to them breaking it big.

Kristofer Åström Black Valley EP Startracks/V2

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

His somewhat delayed new EP starts off very strong, with the vocal energy in "So much for staying alive" carrying the listener through the fingerpicked guitar and beautiful organ lines. However, the energy of that track is lost with the second track ("Black Valley theme") on the record being an instrumental, and it's kind of out-of-place on a four song EP (thus making it only three tracks with vocals). While the final two tracks ("Finally home" and "The blackest pond") are great songs, I feel as if they'd flow better on a complete album. Overall, the songs on this record are good, but it's lacking as a cohesive unit and I feel as if this is only a teaser for a new album.

Deltahead s/t Peace&Junk&Drums/V2

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This record has taken me a long time for me to compose a review for, mainly because I really am unsure how to describe Deltahead's sound to anyone who is unfamiliar with them, but I'll try: Deltahead are a band that plays a drunken combination of blues, punk, rockabilly and garage rock, so fans of The Black Keys, take note. I believe this works best for the on the tracks "Don't move to Finland", "My mama was too lazy to pray" and "I smile at you". These three songs make the first half of the album fly through, but the second half drags a little as the tempo is taken down. Although it's only thirty minutes total, it makes it seem as if the album is a little too long. However, I can see this band's sound working best in the live setting and, as they progress in songwriting together, putting out one rocker of an album.

Peter Bjorn and John Writers block V2

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This record just may be the best one released in the pre-summer months, and will prove listenable throughout said sunny days and warm nights. Peter Bjorn and John offer up their third proper full-length here, and although I was skeptical at first, upon more listens I'm finding myself loving this. It could just be the trees and flowers blooming and that everytime I listen to the album it's bright and sunny out, but I also think it's the trio's songwriting. With this record they have honed their craft into lilting pop melodies, yet still retaining the sounds and production values older fans have grown to love. "Young folks" is a damn fine first single, but the real highlights are "Amsterdam", "Paris 2004", "Let's call it off" and "The chills", with the last song containing one of the most beautiful closings I've heard in a long while. It may take the older fans a little while to get acclimated to a happier Peter Bjorn and John, but once you do, you'll realize that this record fits perfectly in the collection of what is becoming a tour de force in Swedish music.

Hets s/t Etikett: Hets/V2

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

If I had a dime for every time a new Swedish super-group forms, well, I'd had a lot of dimes, but this just goes to show the cooperative nature of Swedish musicians that wants to make them work together. Markus Krunegård has proven himself to be quite a songsmith with Laakso, and he continues the trend here, but with an vastly different sound. Hets are a different breed, drawing elements from the Ramones, Black Flag and Gorilla Biscuits. The music and raw and very uptempo and the vocal lines squeal in their hugging-the-mic delivery. The ballads on the album soften the feel, but the fast tracks such as"Napalm på Östermalm", "Trist javisst" and "Ulf" is where the band shines. A solid debut record where each member brings their best.

Paris Secrets on tape Parismusic/V2

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

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...

Laakso My gods V2

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Even though Laakso's band biography involves several break ups and reunions, it's basically a nice story of Swedish music business success. Their newest album "My gods", a decent interplay of twelve churned up songs, proves this very well: Released by the big label V2, produced by a certain Jari Haapalainen (Yes, right, that's the same guy who has worked with Ed Harcourt, Moneybrother, Kristofer Åström and The Concretes) and including some backing vocals by a very certain Nicolai Dunger. Well, of course a record isn't just about some famous names written on the booklet's last page. But even just focusing the music, "My gods" turns out to be a pleasant piece of melodic art. OK, it's probably not the catchiest album that has been released in Sweden during the last months, but still it has everything a good pop CD needs to have: Emotional tunes, guts to try out something new and a stick-out hit song ("High drama"). Markus Krunegård's characteristic voice underlines brilliantly the intimate lyrics which are thematically ranging from self-pity drowned in fuel to an ironic view on the junk of the hearts. Summing it up, Laakso has created an interesting and good-sounding audio portrait of the variety of emotions circulating around the all-time number-one-topic also known as "love".

Laakso High drama V2

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

This is Laakso's first release on a major label, and they sound just like when they were on Adrian Recordings, only better. It's as if they've all of a sudden had some sort of epiphany and realized what all their shortcomings were and instantly scrapped them while totally utilizing all the stuff that makes them such a great band. All the four songs here are catchy, melodic, and great – it's quirky indie rock to its fullest (even better than The Shout Out Louds). Hopefully their major label deal will make Laakso as gigantic as their music.

Stina Nordenstam The world is saved V2

Sat, 09 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700

So, she’s back again, the first lady of secrecy. Obviously, the collected Swedish rockcritics – which are just as trustworthy as, say, Fox News - have hyped this album beyond belief, but is it really that good? Well, let’s put it this way – if there’d be any justice in this world and bla bla bla this album would go number 1 all over the fucking world. Eleven perfect pop songs for your night in. And the record is worth its cost for the song "The end of a love affair" alone.