IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

MP3: Cut City - The sound and the sore

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:48:15 -0700

My mind is on vacation, so I'm letting contributor Lars Garvey handle today's mp3 post:

With "Narcissus can wait", Cut City came fully into their own, exceeding even my highest expectations and demonstrating a breadth of expression and talent so often lacking in contemporary post-/art-punk outfits. There were numerous intimations of this level of songwriting throughout their career, most notably "Just pornography (for M.E.)" off their debut full-length "Exit decades" and the anthemic "Replacement" from their split 7" with Cat Party, but the craftsmanship on "Narcissus can wait" revealed a maturity and confidence that placed Cut City decisively in a class of their own. With "The sound and the sore", Cut City continue their upward ascent. The song crackles with all the vigor we've come to expect from the band, brimming with the cautiously optimistic energy of a track like New Order's "Ceremony". Starting strong, the composition builds brilliantly to its massive, stratified close -- the final moments of the track are phenomenal, eclipsing most of what I've heard this year. Unsurprisingly, "The sound and the sore" has quickly become one of my favorite Cut City tracks, and, like much of their catalogue, it continues to grow on me a little more with each listen. While I am delighted the band had yet another gear to move into, the fact that the upcoming album "Where's the harm in dreams disarmed" is set to be Cut City's final offering is now rendered that much more heartbreaking. At least their swan song is set to be something amazing.

Farewell to 2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:10:58 -0800

A few statistics for the year, should you be curious...

Total news items: 3880
Reviews: 77
Mp3s: 235

Top downloads (for tracks posted in 2009):
01. Florence Valentin - Spring Ricco
02. Ison & Fille - Jag skratter idag
03. King Diamond - No presents for Christmas (slightly cheating since I also posted it last year)
04. The Scrags - Psycho cyclone
05. Mercy - Heavy metal warriors

Top search terms:
01. Porno (no surprise, though I suspect most people aren't actually looking for the Swedish rapper)
02. Darkthrone
03. King Diamond
04. Melody Club
05. Black Uniforms

Remember, the mailorder goes on hibernation tomorrow so get your orders in now. Otherwise, I'm hard at work on revamping the site for 2010 and will be back with regular updates next week. Take care and happy New Year!

Porno - Rush (video)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:44:07 -0700

Swedish rapper Porno has a new video for the track "Rush": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kWTAxuD3Fo&fmt=18

Porno - Ugly girls (video)

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:43:41 -0700

Swedish rapper Porno now has a video for his stupid new single "Ugly girls": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IzMIxyuxcU&fmt=18

Porno - Ugly girls

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:54:07 -0800

Swedish rapper Porno is streaming his childish new single "Ugly girls" at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/emceeporno
Keep an eye out for the new album "Tourettes" to be released soon.

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:12:20 -0700

Gbg-based label Release the Bats (see our recent interview) has finally released the long-awaited Cure tribute "The shameless kiss of vanity III" on limited edition cassette (250 copies). Said comp featuring 8 bands such as Cut City and The Je Ne Sais Quoi covering the entirety of The Cure's classic "Pornography" album from start to finish. Unfortunately, the cassette dub came out a bit noisy, so the label is throwing in CDR copies with all orders which will include a few tracks from parts I and II. More info and tracklist: http://releasethebats.com/rtb30.html
In other news, RTB has signed the excellent Swedish pop-punk act Hanna Hirsch and will be releasing their debut full-length "Tala svart" as a split with label Diskret Förlag. Hear samples: http://www.myspace.com/hannahirsch

MP3: Astrid Swan - Sea/e life

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:40:33 -0700

As if it wasn't totally obvious from the cover, Astrid Swan's new album "Spartan picnic" is far quirkier than her debut "Poverina". It looks like something I might expect from Stina Nordenstam, though the "Spartan" of the title is entirely misleading as Ms. Swan readily embraces a full, big-band sound. However, her quirk only extends so far. There's nothing here quite as out-there as Marybell Katastrophy or As In RebekkaMaria, especially not in lead single "Sea/e life". I like it a lot more than anything on the first album, but I'm having trouble finding a strong melody to hold on to. Elsewhere on the album she fares far better, such as on the bombastic title track, so despite my misgivings about this particular song, I wouldn't write her off. And don't forget her work with Treeball either (together with producer Nick Triani). It's kinda like how Neko Case is at her best when performing with New Pornographers, Astrid Swan can be the same way with her other band. All about context.

MP3: Lack - I want you to call me Peter North

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:23:30 -0700

One of Lack's most admirable qualities is their sexual politic. So much of modern hardcore is either contrived macho bullshit (see Terror, Hatebreed, et al.) or fucked-up misogyny (Killwhitneydead comes to mind as prominent example) that even a marginal level of social responsibility seems refreshing. But to talk about sexual relationships outside of the usual context of love/hate songs is absolutely unheard of. The song "Deserters" from their last album "Be there pulse" was hugely progressive in its frank discussion of bisexuality and now, with "Saturate every atom", we have "I want you to call me Peter North" which openly confronts the issue of internet pornography. It's a touchy subject, especially with the rise of so-called "alternative" porn sites such as Suicide Girls or Burning Angel or whatever. Hardcore has always generally been a boys club, but at least there used to be more of a dialog about sexual equality, especially in the 90s when I was more involved in the scene. Now I'm not calling for a return to the days of overzealous workshops (and witchhunts) from the More Than Music era (dude, the fest!), but goddamn it, any discussion is appreciated. Hardcore is supposed to be confrontational and it's supposed to challenge stereotypes, not reinforce them. I'm sure I'm not the only one weirded about what the scene has become. Thank god for bands like Lack who tackle these ideas head-on. Even better, the song is awesome. That simple snare roll going into the final chorus with the chukka-chukka guitars gets me every damn time.

MP3: Springfactory - Stingy Friday afternoon

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:21:09 -0800

Springfactory surprised me. I guess I expected something more twee considering the involvement of Peter Gunnarson from Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, but that's not the case at all. Instead, what I got is smart, driven indiepop with strong female vocals (courtesy of Lina Cullemark). It makes me think of 1st-album era New Pornographers with Neko Case on vocals, 'cept that's not quite fair since I don't really like the New Pornographers (Carl Newman was far, far better in Superconductor). NP are boring and safe, Springfactory are far more rough and tumble and therefor, far more charming. Those sharper edges give them personality. "Stingy Friday afternoon" starts off kinda aimless, with a vamping bassline and skronky guitar, until we enter the first chorus and relief sets in. There's unresolved tension in that verse and it's really only apparent once you make it to the chorus. The bassline straightens out to steady eighthnotes and Lina gives us a vocal hook we can hang on to. The whoosh of guitar noise reminds us this is still indie territory, but when you get down to it, this is everything pop music should be. Nicely done.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:45:47 -0800

Watch Peter Morén (Peter, Bjorn and John) play a cover of "Never my love" by The Association together with Carl Newman (New Pornographers): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXAga3Gcnxg

120 Days Sedated times EP Vice

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

With their new EP out, favourite melodramatic Norwegians' keep showing their skill at crafting dark, dramatic rock songs with influences ranging from Krautrock to the Jesus and Marcy Chain and New Order. It's all very catchy and certainly a hit with anyone who's ever wanted to look "heroin chic", but just as with their debut album, the band continues their streak of horribly clichéd and pretentious lyrics. Their homepage describes them, without a hint of irony, as "a bunch of scuzzy, city crawling electronic rock deviants hooked on dark nights of depravity, Krautrock and literary pornography." With lyrics such as "Take me down to the dreary basement where the sun never ever shines / and show me where you spent the days that killed the smile in your eyes" it's not surprising that the highlight of the record is actually the instrumental "Sleepless nights #11", which injects a dose of organ-driven melancholy (not unlike Det Gamla Landet) into the middle of the record.

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group top 10 artists of the week:

01. Bloc Party
02. The Shins
03. The Knife
04. The Arcade Fire
05. Death Cab for Cutie
06. Camera Obscura
07. The Radio Dept.
08. Bright Eyes
09. Of Montreal
10. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

And the top 10 albums of the week:

01. The Knife – Silent Shout
02. Camera Obscura – Let's Get out of This Country
03. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
04. The Radio Dept. – Pet Grief
05. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
06. Bloc Party – A Weekend In The City
07. The Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
08. The Pipettes – We Are the Pipettes
09. The Arcade Fire – Funeral
10. The Knife – Deep Cuts

If you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod, please join us! The more people that join, the more interesting our chart will be, the more interesting new music you'll discover. Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Swedish hip-hop artist Porno has confirmed that his second solo album "Out the wazooo" will be released on January 2. Download a preview clip here: http://porno.trekant.se/files/Porno_-_Out_the_wazooo(Snippet).mp3

Mon, 31 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Heikki - Heikki 2 (A West Side Fabrication)
Imagine if Neko Case took on a more active roll with the New Pornographers and they might sound a bit like Heikki. Think power-pop with a distinct country influence and huge hooks throughout. In case you are unaware, Heikki is the side project of Maria Eriksson from The Concretes together with Jari Haapalainen from Bear Quartet. I actually like them quite a bit more than the former's main act, as the songs seems more developed, the playing and singing is stronger and the production is tighter. I'd prefer it if there were a few more uptempo tracks on the album, but there's still plenty to enjoy as is.

Heikki 2 A West Side Fabrication

Mon, 31 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700

Imagine if Neko Case took on a more active roll with the New Pornographers and they might sound a bit like Heikki. Think power-pop with a distinct country influence and huge hooks throughout. In case you are unaware, Heikki is the side project of Maria Eriksson from The Concretes together with Jari Haapalainen from The Bear Quartet. I actually like them quite a bit more than the former's main act, as the songs seems more developed, the playing and singing is stronger and the production is tighter. I'd prefer it if there were a few more uptempo tracks on the album, but there's still plenty to enjoy as is.

Fri, 07 Feb 2003 00:00:00 -0800

Don't forget the big Popstad show on P3 Live today (and tomorrow) at 10 am Pacific. Featured bands to perform include The Sounds, Moneybrother, Melody Club and more. Listen here. Click the 'Lyssna' link.

I didn't see the link to it the other day, but here's the cover art for Beyond Dawn's upcoming album "Frysh". Their last album "Electric Sulking Machine" was a fantastic and original piece of brooding, dark pop and I expect no less from the new one. I hope those guys come through with that promo for me - I'm really excited to hear it.

Check out the new videos from Håkan Hellström and Roxette.

Look for Buck to be touring in the near future, hot on the heels of their highly regarded new "Rock Dream" EP on Startracks. The dates so far:

02/13 - Esklistuna, Etrea Clubnights @ Blå
02/14 - Stockholm, Accelerator @ Debaser
02/26 - Lund, Klubb Buster @ Mejeriet
03/15 - Malmö, KB w/ Comet Gain and The Radio Dept.

Opeth reports they may push back the release of the upcoming album "Damnation" to May. Their currently hectic touring schedule seems to have gotten the best of them and they feel they wouldn't be able to promote it properly with a March/April release.

Katatonia has scheduled a European tour to support the release of the upcoming album "Viva Emptiness". Lullacry and Pornorphans will support in Finland, To Die For and Daylight Dies on the rest. The dates:

4/2 - Tavastia Helsinki, Finland
4/3 - Lutakko Jyväskylä, Finland
4/4 - Tuiskula Nivala, Finland
4/5 - Säätämö Turku, Finland
4/8 - TBA Hamburg, Germany
4/9 - TBA Berlin, Germany
4/10 - TV Studio Krzemionki Krakow, Poland
4/12 - TBA Munich, Germany
4/13 - TBA (East), Germany
4/15 - TBA, Germany
4/16 - TBA, Germany
4/17 - TBA Frankfurt, Germany
4/18 - TBA Stuttgart, Germany
4/19 - Dioxin Schindellegi/Schwyz, Switzerland
4/20 - Transilvania Live Milan, Italy
4/22 - Alpheus Rome, Italy
4/23 - La Gabbia Bassano de Grappa (VI), Italy
4/24 - TBA Marseille, France
4/25 - K.G.B Barcelona, Spain
4/26 - Caracol Madrid, Spain
4/27 - Le Son Coimbra, Portugal
4/29 - Republicca II Valencia, Spain
4/30 - Koslow Bordeaux, France
5/1 - La Locomotive Paris, France
5/2 - Splendid Lille, France
5/3 - Rock City Nottingham, UK
5/4 - Bierkeller Bristol, UK
5/6 - Bierkeller Manchester, UK
5/7 - Ca -ouse Glasgow, UK
5/8 - Rio Bradfo -, UK
5/9 - -e Underworld/ULU London, UK
5/10 - Eland Gent, Belgium
5/11 - Tivoli Utrecht, -e Ne -erlands
5/12 - TBA Essen/Bochum, Germany
5/14 - Vega Copenhagen, Denmark
5/15 - TBA Goteborg, Sweden
5/16 - TBA Oslo, Norway
5/15 - TBA Stockholm, Sweden