MP3: The Social Services - Up in arms
I imagine there's quite a few indie-music types out there that visit this site purely for the latest Swedish indiepop news and are often disappointed that I'm always on about some new drone/noise act that I'm excited about. Look, it's not as if I don't like the stuff, it's just that I find the majority of it to be dreadfully boring. Being said, The Social Services are decidedly not boring. The band is 2/3rds Scottish, but since they're based out of Stockholm, they qualify for coverage here. Like most of my favorite pop acts, there's a touch of melancholy to their music, though not necessarily in an overt "woe is me!" kind of way. "Up in arms", despite the taunting na-na-na vocals, is about war and military conscription - not the most indiepop of subjects, but one that is definitely worth singing about. Wrap it up in a catchy melody and there you go.
Apparently The Social Services are already in talks with Gramtone Records for the release of their debut album, but until the i's are dotted and t's are crossed, they remain well-qualified for this week's focus of unsigned/up-and-coming artists. Listen to more here: http://www.myspace.com/thesocialservices
The Social Services - Up in arms