Infectious in the best possible way, not like a dreaded sommarplåga or a social disease. In fact, all three songs from the new single "Supernova", including brilliant b-side covers of Vapnet and Bingo, are phenomenal. Likewise, so is Magnus Ekelund & Stålet's upcoming full-length "Det definitiva drevet". Same goes for Teg Publishing labelmates Norra Kust, whose self-titled debut was just released today and is now on Spotify. Essential listening all around!

Brand new video from Magnus Ekelund & Stålet for their superb single "Supernova", the first from the band's forthcoming album "Det definitiva drevet" which will be out on May 16 via Teg Publishing/Playground Music. Check out the full 3-track single via Spotify with b-side covers of Vapnet and Bingo -- you will not be disappointed!

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

Andreas Tilliander - Caught in a riot (feat. New Moscow) (Vapnet remix)
Andreas Tilliander - Caught in a riot (feat. New Moscow) (Kite remix)
Andreas Tilliander - Caught in a riot (feat. New Moscow) (Data80 remix)

Black Metal: Behexen, Khold, Arckanum, Abomino Aetadeath, Krypt.

All released this year and all of them better than Darkthrone and Satyricon. Who's new records were great as well.

Straight music (i.e non-black metal) from abroad: Chad Vangaalen, Daniel Martin Moore, Portishead, The Fall, Gang Gang Dance, Robert Forster, Fucked Up, Mogwai, The Cure, Mudhoney, Josephine Foster, Roots Manuva.

I can't remember anymore right now. It was a good year, record-wise at least.

Swedish and not black metal: Dan Lissvik, Paper, PDC, Park Hotell, Vapnet, Hästpojken, Håkan Hellström, Masshysteri, Tristess, Joel Alme, Veronica Maggio, Frida Hyvönen, T(I)NC, TsooL. There are more, but these are the ones I liked the most. Mind you, some I just got and I will grow tired of them.

Records I missed last year that would have made the top five: Michael Dracula and Mayhem.

TV: True Blood, Dead Set, Dexter, The Office, (bits and pieces of) Livet i Fagervik, Survivors.

Movies: Trädälskaren, Stepbrothers.

Thats it really. Haven't seen Let the Right One In, De ofrivilliga yet. And I'm gonna see The Baader Meinhof Complex tonight.

It's been a so-so year. Better than the last one but not good.

I've been listening to Rockabilly and Black Metal for the most part, reading books, writing songs and poetry.

I toured a little with Bröderna Lindgren and played like ten gigs by myself or with others. Recorded some songs with different people. Been fucked over by record companies.

For 2009 I'm gonna make at least one record, hopefully three. Oh, and get a job. Really, it's true.

And not die, again.

---------------------------
Mattias Alkberg broke up his band MABD earlier this year, but he still plays with The Bear Quartet and has a burgeoning solo career. Expect a new single and album under his own name in 2009.
www.mabd.se
www.thebearquartet.com

So with a rather large grain of salt, let me present to you It's a Trap's 2008 top albums of the year.
- Avi Roig

10. Siena Root - Far from the sun (Transubstans)
Graveyard and Witchcraft get all the acclaim, but Siena Root is the better band.

09. Nitad - Ibland kan man inte hindras sig själv (Kranium/Deranged)
Fucked Up, another band who put out one of 2008's best releases ("The chemistry of commmon life"), have moved far beyond the realms of hardcore. Nitad have stepped up to take their place.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio Records/BD Pop)
I can't stand Morissey, yet somehow some Swedish acts are able to take his influence and turn it into something wonderful. If only more indiepop bands were as good as Park Hotell.

07. Katzenjammer - Le pop (Propeller Recordings)
I fully expected Detektivbyrån to be my favorite folk-crossover act, but these ladies from Norway snuck in ahead of them.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
Even better than I hoped. The perfect follow-up to the first album.

05. Johan Heltne - Vetenskapliga bevis för att Jesus lever (Raffaella)
A beautiful and beguiling album. So weird and mysterious, so absolutely entrancing.

04. Montys Loco - Farewell Mr Happy (NONS)
Of all the bands on my list, these ladies are the only ones to truly create something new and unique sounding. Sweden's most consistently underrated and underappreciated band.

03. Haust - Ride the relapse (Fysisk Format)
If there's a more pissed-off, evil sounding album in 2008, I haven't heard it.

02. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
A full year later and I still love this album just as much when it first came out.

01. The Goner - H-Trilogy: Hind hand, Hallartrallar, Haven (Svarta Markaden)
I realize it's pretty lame to put a series of limited cult releases at #1, yet no other artist this year has intrigued me as much as The Goner. "Hind hand" blew me away when I first heard it, the following two were even better.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake (Caprice Records)
This headstrong indie duo got me convinced at a festival gig this summer. And when I heard "The snake" for the first time I was hooked. It's that good.

09. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)
Frida goes from strength to strength and with this album she has established her status as one of the finest songwriters in Sweden right now. Don't believe me? I dare you, listen to "Dirty dancing" and you'll know what I'm talking about.

08. Paper - An object (Novoton)
A homage to Suicide, Joy Division and monotonous kraut rock. The mix between The Bear Quartet and Audionom is a win-win. Literally.

07. Satyricon - The age of Nero (Roadrunner)
With massive walls of sound this Norwegian old school combo decided to continue to piss off black metal fans that claim they're not "true" anymore. Hell, when it sounds this good, I couldn't care less.

06. David Sandström Overdrive - Pigs lose (Razzia)
David Sandström and Oskar Sandlund went into the studio and came out with an astounding album only surpassed by early career move Refused.

05. Lack - Saturate every atom (Play/Rec)
2008 turned out to be the year of resignation for Lack. At least they got to resign at the peak of their career; "Saturate every atom" is proof of that.

04. Britta Persson - Kill Hollywood me (Amigo)
Britta released this album with a somewhat secluded approach and it was received with open arms by almost everyone. Sounds contradictory? It's not, just pure genius.

03. Cult of Luna - Eternal kingdom (Earache)
It just goes to show, these guys don't know how to fail. Top notch!

02. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
Göteborg's finest spent three years in the studio. The result, Fugazi-esque punk rock, shows that it was worth the wait.

01. Lukestar - Lake Toba (Phone Me Records)
Indie rock at its best - edgy, melodic and, at the same time, raw and hard hitting as hell! The number one spot was, even in January, Lukestar's spot all along.

Matt Giordano

06. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
Their track record has been making consistently good albums, and this is not an exception.

05. Robert Svensson - Young punk are on the never-never (Nomethod)
A fantastic pop album that has me looking even more forward to the next Mixtapes and Cellmates record.

04. The Kid - Transient blood (Hybris)
On their second album, The Kid has transformed themselves into brooding pop masters.

03. Paavoharju - Laulu laakson kukista (Fonal)
A beautiful, cold, meandering album. Not only does this album sound natural, it sounds symbiotic with nature.

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
He's made classic albums with Laakso, and a great Hets album. Now Markus is a bonafide solo artist, and, with this maintains that he's one of the best songwriters around.

01. Juvelen - 1 (Hybris)
One of my most anticipated of the year. Ten songs, ten potential singles, yet one cohesive pop statement. Juvelen is here to stay.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. Division of Laura Lee - Violence is timeless (I Made This)
This is a total gut decision. Part of me is not okay with this result, but enough of me is perfectly alright ousting at least five other contenders to make room for this dirty, energetic album in my top 10. Despite giving this album only an 8, it has survived in far better standing than a few 9s from this year. "LAX" has been on quite a few of the mixtapes I've made for friends over the past few months, and DoLL launched my brother and I across America this summer... I couldn't imagine 2008 without "Violence is timeless".

09. Robert Svensson - Young punks are on the never-never (Nomethod)
Mr. Svensson lost considerable ground on this list, especially compared to the first draft I worked up a few weeks ago. Still, even at number nine, "Young punks are on the never-never" made it. A wonderful debut solo album from Mixtapes & Cellmates' vocalist, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a fine career.

08. Park Hotell - Free for friends (Ultra Radio/BD Pop)
This top 10 list is populated with a lot of debut records. "Free for friends" is definitely one that I had been waiting for, and it didn't let me down. It's a perfect autumn record: tracts of introspection still fuelled by the reckless hope of summer days.

07. Kiki Pau - Let's rock (Pyramid/Johanna Kustannus)
While I was completely surprised by "Book of Norma", I at least knew who Norma were. Kiki Pau are my favorite surprise this year. Their style of indie rock is confident well beyond their years, harkening back to "Meat is murder"-era Smiths, contemporary NYC garage, The Clash ... and any album with a song titled "Bukowski" (with the lyric: "Steinbeck made me want to get drunk") gets my vote.

06. Convoj - Exceptionnel (Wonderland)
This latecomer also forced me to reconstruct my list. It was all about complete, too. Oh well. Convoj's "Exceptionnel" is a brilliant record, more than deserving of a top 10 spot.

05. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)
If it weren't for all the summer memories I attach to "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", Hellström's effort would be in fourth place. The fact that this album is in fifth place is a testament to the creative forces at work in Northern Europe. When I first heard this record, I was pretty sure it would be in my top three albums of the year. How wonderful it is to be so wrong. "För sent för edelweiss" has become my favorite Håkan Hellström album, just edging out "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg".

04. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (XL Recordings/EMI)
The fact that Sigur Rós took risks on this album when they could have skirted by with "Takk pt. II" impresses me. It may not be their finest album, but it's fun, kinetic, and lush; everything we expect from the Icelanders, and yet something quite different, too.

03. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I struggled a little with "A partial print" at first, but it eventually won out. As I wrote in my review, the album is "a collage, a collection of images, all of them darkly beautiful extensions of the emotional landscape of "The loyal", but the connections between these impressions can take some time to present themselves, but they will, and then "A partial print" comes fully into being."

02. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
While I gave "A partial print" higher marks, "Markusevangeliet" has been a valued companion of mine since April -- and there's something to be said about resilience. I said back then that I thought Laakso frontman Markus Krunegård had possibly crafted the best record of the year... and, although I might have proven myself wrong, his accomplishment is by far one of the best solo records in recent memory.

01. Norma - Book of Norma (Novoton)
In a damned impressive year for Scandinavian music, my top prize goes to "Book of Norma". It's been a while since I have been as taken aback by a record as I was with Norma's latest effort, the first album I have ever given a 10 to here on It's A Trap! Just an absolutely brilliant album.

Arnulf Koehncke

10. Ane Brun - Changing of the seasons (DetErMine)
Someone wrote somewhere how well recorded this album is -- I can't help but agree. The songs are good too and it's actually the first Ane Brun record that I can really relate to.

09. Audrey - The fierce and the longing (Tenderversion)
Honestly, this record sounds a lot like their last one. That's a good thing in Audrey's case -- I think it's really rare that a band is this well defined regarding both songwriting and sound-aesthetics.

08. Fredrik - Na na ni (Jezebel)
It surprises me how much I still like this record. I didn't think it would be such a grower -- guess I was wrong.

07. Snöleoparden - Snöleoparden (Rump)
I just like the whole of-the-cuff playfulness and complexity that this record embodies. I dare anyone to listen to the daycare-singalong second track and not smile.

06. Hello Saferide - More modern short stories from Hello Saferide (Razzia)
If you'd asked me in the beginning of the year, I'd probably have predicted this album to top my year-end list. Well, it hasn't completely gotten me hooked yet, though I totally agree with all the praise for Annika's development. And "Lund" has already become a personal favorite of mine.

05. Bobby and Blumm - Everybody loves... (Morr Music)
This record is just so playful -- there's so much to discover in F.S. Blumm's guitar work and Ella's charming voice. It makes me wish I could see them live again.

04. V. Sjöberg New Jazz Ensemble - Do nothing 'til you hear from me (iDEAL)
Another great record, though it needs patience and concentration to really enjoy it as a whole. It's just great how it builds up all this tension with its drones and suspense curves only to then release the listener with a soothing return to tonality in the next to last track.

03. The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (Labrador)
Too bad their album was delayed until next year. This EP showed such potential with all its Prefab Sprout'ish moments and melodies. And it even delivered some nostalgia to me as a long-time fan when I listen to the hidden track's distortion and overdrive.

02. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
It's amazing: This record is such an instant classic that I almost didn't think of it as a 2008-release. And doesn't that already say all there is to say?

01. Auton - Anywhere out of this world (Structures Sonores)
This record is just so good (which is why my review of it is just so overdue). Incredibly virtuosic yet never overbearing musicians that shift from straight-out jazz to drone to post-rock to Satie-like piano moments with such casualness and grace. My Scandinavian record of the year. Go to the label website now and order copies to give away as christmas presents ;-)

Nancy Baym

10. Don't I wish I could put something here. Like the Caesars. What a bummer that record was.

09. Mikko Singh - Uskotko että siellä on kukkia? (self-released)
An almost-entirely instrumental record that's somewhere between pop and new age, equally well suited to a massage or mellow downtime at home. Very pretty with some nice elements of fun.

08. Violent Years - s/t (Playground)
A fine contribution to the southern gothic alt country genre with many outstanding moments and at least one truly great song.

07. Kusowsky - Något speciellt (self-released)
Kusowsy are so unabashedly singalong guitar pop that I feel a little guilty enjoying them, but everytime a song from this EP showed up on shuffle this year I found myself stopping to smile.

06. The Social Services - It's nothing personal, it's national security (Stereo Test Kit)
Only 1/3 Scandinavian, but she's the singer so she gets extra credit. It's a smart, eclectic, cynical, funny, and loose indie pop album.

05. Tiger Lou - A partial print (Startracks)
I really wanted to love this record, but don't. As background music its dark, hypnotic and self-contradictory sound is stunningly close to perfect, but on close listening its repetitiveness becomes abrasive in ways I don't think were intended.

04. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)
On his solo record, Krunegård avoids most of Laakso's glam excesses to deliver a powerful and rich electronically-driven yet organic and seductive sonic environment.

03. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)
They don't stray too far from the distinctive, poppy, and borderline corny sound of their previous recordings on this one, but that's a good thing because they are one of the most calming make-you-happy bands going today. I highly recommend this as a soundtrack for either hanging out on a warm beach or cleaning house, cooking, and other mundane chores of daily life.

01. Madrugada - s/t (Virgin/EMI)
Faced with the sudden death of their guitarist and an album 80% completed, Madrugada did the right thing by finishing it up. Even without the tragic back story, it's a powerful and mature rock album that I am still listening to regularly almost a year after its release.

01. Detektivbyrån - Wermland (Danarkia)
In a very disappointing musical year, this instrumental genre-collapsing folk album based on accordion and glockenspiel was the one extraordinary surprise. Everyone I've played it for ran out and got it immediately. You should too.

Simon Tagestam

10. Nordpolen - s/t (Sincerely Yours)

09. Joel Alme - A master of ceremonies (Sincerely Yours)

08. Envelopes - Here comes the wind (Brille)

07. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss (Dolores)

06. Markus Krunegård - Markusevangeliet (V2/Universal)

05. Love Is All - A hundred things keep me up at night (What's Your Rupture?)

04. Afasi & Filthy - Fläcken (P.O.P.E.)

03. Frida Hyvönen - Silence is wild (Licking Fingers)

02. Moto Boy - s/t (Songs I Wish I Had Written)

01. Vapnet - Döda fallet (Hybris)

01. Hello Saferide
02. Vapnet
03. Laakso
04. Those Dancing Days
05. Tiger Lou
06. Juvelen
07. The Tough Alliance
08. Anna Ternheim
09. The Legends
10. Detektivbyrån

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Hello Saferide
02. Frida Hyvönen
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Loney, Dear
05. Billie the Vision & The Dancers
06. The Radio Dept.
07. Kite
08. The Bear Quartet
09. Vapnet
10. Le Sport

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Hello Saferide
02. Frida Hyvönen
03. Håkan Hellström
04. Detektivbyrån
05. Familjen
06. Vapnet
07. Christian Kjellvander
08. David & the Citizens
09. Parken
10. Jens Lekman

Do you listen to music on your computer or with an iPod? Please join us and make your playlist count! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/

01. Peter Morén - This is what I came for
02. TALK 1
03. Entombed - Hollowman
04. King Of All The Animals - Concrete skyline
05. Jettie - The lay up
06. TALK 2
07. Happy Trash Culture - Frisky pet
08. Josse - You had a plan
09. Ondo - Sleep
10. TALK 3
11. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - This room seems empty without you
12. Håkan Hellström - För sent för edelweiss
13. Marvins Revolt - Deliberate deeds
14. Marybell Katastrophy - Hey Frank
15. TALK 4
16. The Bear Quartet - Mvh contempt
17. Lögnhalsmottagningen - Snacka gär ju
18. Ghost Brigade - Based on you
19. TALK 5
20. September Malevolence - I shut doors and windows
21. The End Will Be Kicks - Ass of a friend
22. Anna Leong - Battered, bruised and cold
23. TALK 6
24. Bright Oak - On the list
25. Tape - Moth wings
26. Axewitch - Hot lady
27. TALK 7
28. Nationalteatern - Jack the Ripper
29. Tsukimono - Heart beater
30. Zeigeist - Bunny
31. TALK 8
32. First Floor Power - The jacket (Karin Dreijer remix)
33. No Hope for the Kids - Angels of destruction
34. Docenterna - Popmusik
35. Vapnet - Skorpan
36. TALK 9
37. Björn Kleinhenz - Olis
38. Fireside - Ambulance
39. Looptroop Rockers - Living on a prayer
40. TALK 10

I was completely amazed when I first listened to "Skorpan" from Vapnet's new album "Doda fallet". For the first time, the band dares to not contrast their lyrical darkness with uplifting melodies, jangly guitars and schlager-inspired key-changes. Not that I'd ever disapprove of that. Instead, it's just a slow ballad carried by a piano, a few guitars and plugged trumpet. It's sad, maybe slightly cynical, but definitely not ironic, which just adds to the strength of the song. And best of all (though I'm not a native speaker, so you'll never know), the chorus finally reveals that it's inspired by one of my favorite children's books, "The Brothers Lionheart" by Astrid Lindgren. So maybe it's ironic then after all...

01. The Bear Quartet - Put me back together
02. TALK 1
03. Karin Ström - Silent night
04. Camouflage - Syster sol
05. Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
06. TALK 2
07. Juvelen - Don't mess
08. Invocator - Breed of sin
09. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
10. TALK 3
11. Motorpsycho - For free
12. Coldworker - Flammable
13. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Photo Jenny
14. TALK 4
15. Egil Olsen - Singer/songwriter
16. Last Days of April - Will the violins be playing?
17. Desert Planet - Riot sector 68
18. TALK 5
19. Printer - Satisfaction
20. Psyke Project - Physical romance
21. Promise and the Monster - Light reflecting papers
22. TALK 6
23. Marybell Katastrophy - Hidden agenda
24. Pan Sonic - Johdin
25. Opération Zéro - Etude no. 1
26. TALK 7
27. Jonas Game - Nothing to lose
28. Mari Boine - Tundra flower
29. Vapnet - Plötsligt händer det inte
30. TALK 8
31. Moto Boy - Ride my wild heart
32. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
33. Gravy - Behind my walls
34. TALK 9
35. Looptroop Rockers - The building
36. Victims - Victims in blood #5
37. Anna Leong - Guillotine
38. Zeigeist - Humanitarianism
39. TALK 10
40. Ef - Appendix

02/27 - TIAC - Overstaying the welcome
04/03 - Juvelen - tba
04/09 - Vapnet - tba
04/23 - The Kid - tba
May - Like Honey - tba
?? - Montt Mardié - tba (UK release)

The first Du Pacque record
--> it will be released next year and will be a total killer. I heard plenty of their songs. Trust me: this is gonna be the best record in 2008!

A Bear Quartet album
--> An electro one, or a pop one, or a rock one : does not matter actually. Mattias Alkberg can even turn hip-hop, I will buy it.

A MABD album
--> More a punk one like their first two ones than a folk one like their latest.

A more black "White and black" album for The Hives
--> when they rock, they do rock. When they try to be too smart (see their song "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" for instance), they make me feel bored.

A great Kent record
--> ok, "Tillbaka till samtiden" is not that bad, but it is not that good either, right?

A Bad Cash Quartet record
--> 'cause Hästpojken + Jonas Game do not equal BCQ

A bad Mando Diao record
--> "Never seen the light of day" is actually not bad. I would even say it is quite good.

A Jens Lekman trash metal album
--> I liked it at first, but now I think "Night falls over Kortedala" is quite boring. I prefer his first record. This latest one is much too calm for me. Not surprising enough. It sounds like I am the only one to think so though.

A Convoj album
--> will those guys eventually release a proper record?

A compilation with all the great artists who are from the very little Swedish city Östersund
--> like Annika Norlin, Penny Century, Autisterna, The Way We Wear Our Head, Sibiria or Vapnet

---------------------------
Absolut Noise is a French blog on Swedish music.
absolutnoise.blogspot.com

]]> Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20665 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20665 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20665#comments Vapnet is cooking up something new: http://vapnet.blogspot.com/2007/12/hej-det-var-inte-igr.html (in Swedish)]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:21:45 -0500 news general http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25747-top-10s-for-2007-its-a-trap#comments Another year down, another batch of top 10 lists to add to the already overwhelming commotion. I probably listened to more music than ever in 2007, yet putting together this year's list was painless compared to year's past. The simple reason why: all the best releases were obvious. Yes, there were notable also-rans, but let's leave that to the comments section. For now, let's just stick to top tens.
-Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

10. Various Artists - Ny musik för landssorg (Container Recordings)
Exceptionally moving. A high-concept work of art.

09. Repoman - s/t (Monument)
Fierce, unrepentent hardcore. I can only imagine how good this must sound live.

08. Tobias Hellkvist - Transports (self-released)
Beautiful, blissed-out drone. Pure aural sunshine.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
The perfect response for anyone put off by the coldness of The Knife. Familjen is destined for greatness.

06. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
Cute without being too cloying, sweet without being too twee. The best indiepop album of the year.

05. Susanne Sundfør - s/t (MBN)
A tremendously talented young lady from Norway who's probably only just getting started.

04. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I knew this was top 10 material the first time I heard it. Nobody does epic noiserock better.

03. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The easy consensus pick. Uneven overall, but forgivable when you consider that this record contains more than a handful of the year's best songs.

02. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
The yin to Tobias Hellkvist's yang. Where Hellkvist's music makes me want to stand with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world, Dead Letters makes me want to curl up in a fetal position in a dark corner. I never realized how profoundly moving drone could be until I heard this.

01. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
Far and away the album I listened to the most this year and the one I know I'll hold dear for years to come. From tender ballads ("Fallen") to raucous rock'n'roll ("A little out of tune"), this record covers the full spectrum of human experience and puts it into song.

Jonas Appelqvist

10. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
A cover album strictly consisting of songs from obscure indie duo Rough Bunnies is commercial suicide. But Gustaf Kjellvander's craftsmanship is so honest and true, it's impossible not to capitulate.

09. Knugen Faller – Lugna favoriter (Cage Match Federation/Ny Våg)
Fans of Buzzcocks, Gorilla Angreb and X should immediately go get a copy of this one!

08. The Lionheart Brothers – Dizzy kiss (Racing Junior/NONS)
Psychedelic rock in the vein of fellow countrymen Euroboys.

07. Moonbabies – At the ballroom (Startracks)
The duo of Ola Frick and Carina Johansson left their more experimental side at home, recorded and released a wonderful pop oriented full-length album and it is infectious.

06. Repoman – s/t (Monument)
The ferocity in Repoman's music is breathtaking. Hardcore resembling Converge is always welcome in my book.

05. My Midnight Creeps – Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
In the absence of new material from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, this is where to go. Primal rock at its best suffered a huge loss with the death of guitarist Robert Burås. He will be missed. RIP.

04. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
These guys go from strength to strength. "Black rain from the bombing" gave us a hint on what was coming. This is headstrong indierock that has no intention to rub the right way. Kudos to that!

03. MABD – Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (A West Side Fabrication)
I adored "Tunaskolan" when it came out. This is an even better record. Cynical lyrics, Springsteen-ish vibes and punk rock mixed with Matti Alkberg's unmistakable voice. Magic!

02. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
There's not a chance to defend you from the attack that is this record. And really, why should you? Surrender to Sweden's finest pop combo!

01. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Having released several wonderful records, this is the culmination of their career thus far. Indierock has never sounded this beautiful.

Nancy Baym

10. Pelle Carlberg - In a nutshell (Labrador/Twentyseven Records)
I still feel like he's falling short of his potential, but even a so-so Pelle Carlberg record has enough outstanding moments to carry the day.

09. Vapnet - Något dålight nytt har hänt (Hybris)
Who was it that said they like this band more than ice-cream? Tasty bouncy sweets.

08. Thirdimension - Before the end begins (Hidden Agenda)
A quiet acoustic live performance lets the strength of the songs shine through.

07. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
I am no fan of electronica, but this record's got too much pop sensibility to ignore.

06. Les Issambres - Late fairytales (Fifth Week Records)
This surprise little record out of nowhere enchanted me with its sister/brother vocal arrangements, simple but compelling songs, and non-pretentious flute.

05. Isolation Years - Sign, sign (NONS)
Their most consistent record to date has some great songs, and no duds, but doesn't have the outstanding highlights of some of their previous efforts.

04. Sambassadeur - Migration (Labrador)
The word "lush" is getting tossed about a lot in reference to this record, and indeed, it shimmers and shines. Very nice second record sees them grow in new directions.

03. Club 8 - The boy who couldn't stop dreaming (Labrador)
Soft, seductive, and beautifully performed, the sixth record from Club 8 is easily their best, despite a couple of dull moments.

02. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (Dead Moose/EMI)
Robert Burås' far-too-early death this year was a heartbreaking loss, but this last offering wonderfully showcases the magnitude of his epic guitar playing genius.

01. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf Kjellvander transforms lofi seeds of great ideas into ultracatchy pop brilliance. Easily got more playtime out of me than anything else this year.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

10. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
80s throwback bands may have finally been forced to take a backseat this year, but The Mary Onettes celebrate that strange and influential era of music in a way that few bands could ever claim to.

09. Seabear – The ghost that carried us away (Morr Music)
Seabear exude a delightful warmth into their compositions: something lost, almost nostalgia inducing, foreign without being unfamiliar, and altogether wonderful.

08. Jens Lekman – Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Darling of every blogger and hype-generating music website the world over, Jens Lekman did indeed make his mark upon 2007.

07. CS Nielsen – Against the dying of the light (Songcrafter Music)
In September, I wrote that CS Nielsen had crafted one of the greatest albums of the year. I stand by that statement.

06. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
"Jag fick feeling" will, for the foreseeable future, be one of the first albums I run to as the leaves sicken, bleed out their autumn hues, and gracefully descend to the ground below.

05. Immanu El – They'll come, they come (And the Sound)
As I wrote in my review of this album, Immanu El's "They'll come, they come" is unquestionably a forceful and substantial album; an effort that probes sections of our musical consciousness that have fallen into shadow and been ignored too long.

04. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
Dropping one spot since the June round up, "The Benelux years" still surprises me with new layers every time I listen to it. The Chrysler are one of the most underrated bands of all time.

03. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
Kent have absolutely nothing to prove anymore - they are arguably one of the best Swedish bands of all time - and yet they continue to prove themselves, over and over and over again. It's frightening.

02. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
Another album whose position was solidified earlier in the year, "Our ill wills" is still one of the best sophomore albums I have ever heard.

01. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod/Tangled Up!)
I fell in love with this album in January, continued to proclaim its brilliance in June, and, a few hours from December, crown "The sentinel" the best album of 2007. Absolutely brilliant.

Matt Giordano

10. Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Fall, fall, falling (Kalligrammofon)
Beautifully subtle and understated noise.

09. The Chrysler - The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
The Chrysler upped the tempo on their third album, and it's easily their best.

08. Christian Kjellvander - I saw her from here/I saw here from her (Startracks)
On his third, and best album, the arrangements have finally acted on the ideas.

07. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Pan European (Adrian Recordings)
Brilliant electronica from this Swedish duo.

06. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
This second album sees big band and swing return to the musical landscape.

05. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sings Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
Gustaf reinterprets the Rough Bunnies to gorgeous results.

04. Juvelen - s/t (Hybris)
Hot and sweaty pop music has returned!

03. The Tough Alliance - A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Göteborg's best have honed their sound into hedonistic pop bliss.

02. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
Sweden's best band delivered its third album in such a fashion only they could - with "Italy vs. Helsinki".

01. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
Familjen's debut album is the best pure pop full-length I have heard all year.

Nick Levine

10. Ninja – I don't play guitar (Popyhtiö)
Finland's answer to Robyn. At the forefront of Finnish pop music. This record has some serious crossover potential.

09. Billie the Vision & The Dancers – Where the ocean meets my hand (Love Will Pay the Bills)
Not a radical departure from previous releases. But hey, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

08. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian/Hybris)
Zeitgeist-defining record. Sweden's answer to new rave?

07. Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
More upbeat than Jen's previous efforts. Is this mellowing due to his recent engagement?

06. Boat Club – Caught the breeze (Luxury)
Atmospheric shoegaze and Balearic-lite prog pop.

05. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
The most commercially successful release from Laakso thus far.

04. Studio – West Coast (Information)
I'm counting this as it only got a UK release this year. Credit must also be given for some of Studio's superb remixes for the likes of Shout Out Louds and Rubies.

03. Those Dancing Days - s/t (V2)
Undoubtedly the biggest Swedish buzz band of the year. Helped in no small part by It's a Trap.

02. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Stunning comeback record, after the experimentation of 2006's "Escaping your ambitions".

01. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
This records features the best use of cowbell in 2007.

Christian Stenbacke

10. Kent – Tillbaka till samtiden (SME)
The journey back into the dark electronical realms of the 80's might not have been the perfect career move, but on the other hand, since when has Kent ever cared about such a petty thing?

09. Sällskapet – s/t (Universal)
Cold and dark and damp - Pelle Ossler vs. Joakim Thåström - Life drained from the body, machines in control, the last thing leaving mankind is hope. Are you ready to enter room 212?

08. Kristofer Åström – RainawayTown (Startracks)
There is something special about Kristofer Åström. He has the ability to get to the things that really matter with small words and measures.

07. Bloodlights – s/t (Playground Music)
All things have to come to and end, Glucifer is no more, but the Captain lives on. Bloodlights is cock rock at its best.

06. The Mary Onettes – s/t (Labrador)
It's so obvious and it's so perfect. The Mary Onettes hardly try to hide their Anglophile influences and why should they?

05. Christian Kjellvander – I saw her from her/I saw here from her (Startracks)
Christian Kjellvander is a man of quality; every song sung from his lips is of highest standard.

04. José González – In our nature (Imperial/Mute)
The man is just marvelous; catching every single raw emotion there is with his incredible guitar work and simple, yet direct, voice.

03. The Raveonettes – Lust lust lust (Border Music/Vice)
Finally back to basics; the magic of Sune Wagner and Sharin Foo's voices bound together and the bleak Jesus & Mary Chain meets 50s surf music is a fascinating combination.

02. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
Instead of calling it quits, Logh decided to pull it together and release a new album, the best decision ever made.

01. Sound Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart)
What is Niccokick compared to this? This is the best album this year by far; the impact of every song is overwhelming.

Simon Tagestam

10. The Hives – The black and white album (Interscope)
Not as good as I wanted it to be, but The Hives manage to deliver a bunch of great songs.

09. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
A strong and solid second album from Shout Out Louds.

08. Frida Hyvönen – Pudel (Licking Fingers)
A mini album that has given me very high hopes for Hyvönen's second proper full-length.

07. Anna Järvinen – Jag fick feeling (Häpna)
It took me some time to warm to this Järvinen's solo debut, but now I find it really cosy and pleasant, it's a great album for cold winter nights.

06. Jonas Game – ADHD (Sincerely Yours)
Bad Cash Quartet's drummer managed to make a very personal and intriguing album full of hits.

05. The Tough Alliance – A new chance (Sincerely Yours)
Nice to see TTA back on track after last year's weird ambient album.

04. The Lovekevins – Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
I knew that The LKs were good, but I didn't think they could be this good!

03. Alexis Weak – Välkommen till Gullmarsplan (La Vida Locash)
Ok, it's only a half an hour (free!) mixtape, but I got really addicted to Alexis Weak's personal rapping style in 2007.

02. Säkert! – s/t (Razzia)
It was nice to see the Swedish public embracing Annika Norlin's side project and making her the star she deserves to be.

01. Jens Lekman – Nights falls over Kortedala (Service/Secretly Canadian)
Ah, the King of Sweden! Or, at least he should be. Lekman is the greatest.

]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25746-podcast-top-songs-of-2007 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25746-podcast-top-songs-of-2007 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25746-podcast-top-songs-of-2007#comments DATE ADDED : 12.13.07
LENGTH : 29:24 min
DOWNLOAD : itsatrap_podcast_12132007.mp3 (33.7mb)
RSS : [click here]

Tracklist: (select text to view)
08. The Lovekevins - Tamagochi freestyle
07. Sambassadeur - Subtle changes
06. Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
05. Vapnet - Tjernobyl
04. Asha Ali - A promise broken
03. Laakso - Norrköping
02. The Tough Alliance - First class riot
01. Laakso - Worst case scenario

]]> Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles podcast http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20421 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20421 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20421#comments Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Soviac - I got the ribbah
02. TALK 1
03. Downstairs - Peephole city
04. Moonbabies - At the ballroom
05. Tar... Feathers - You are lucky to have nothing
06. TALK 2
07. Truckfighters - Atomic
08. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Corny waltz
09. Mixtapes & Cellmates - Quiet
10. TALK 3
11. Norma - The dark
12. Karin Ström - Klaustrofobi
13. Vapnet - Tjernobyl
14. TALK 4
15. Montt Mardié - The windmill turns all the same
16. Motorpsycho - Hyena
17. Musti Laiton - Tämän iltainen
18. Holiday Fun Club - Hamburg in the night
19. TALK 5
20. Rigas - It's a shame
21. Repoman - Jawbone night
22. Iisole - The words
23. TALK 6
24. The Fine Arts Showcase - Modern love
25. Kasper Bjørke - Back & spine (Fidel Astro remix)
26. Promoe - Headache
27. TALK 7
28. Viola - Imaginary times
29. New Decade - While tonight still is
30. Promise and the Monster - Sheets
31. Trapdoor Fucking Exit - Choking on teeth
32. TALK 8
33. Totalitär - Nej vi ska inte ha nåt
34. Him Kerosene - Whatever get you by
35. The Social Services - Up in arms
36. Jens Lekman - The opposite of hallelujah
37. Boeoes Kaelstigen - Flir
38. TALK 9
39. Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
]]> Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:49:25 -0500 news sirius http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20016 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20016 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/20016#comments Vapnet has a new profile on myspace for remixes which includes a previously unreleased track for SLS (Swedish Love Story): http://www.myspace.com/remixedbyvapnet]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:46:50 -0400 news multimedia http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25706-festival-report-arvika http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25706-festival-report-arvika http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25706-festival-report-arvika#comments I just recently wrote a take on this year's Arvikafestival for another publication, in Swedish, and I reached the conclusion that what seemed like a great line-up at first glance ended up as something less interesting than I had anticipated. Why? Being a great fan of music, in all forms, and an equal fan of festivals in general, I have come to see a great deal of bands each year. This year being no exception. Especially Swedish and Scandinavian bands, since they tour just about anywhere. Unfortunately, this leads to the fact that it takes quite a lot to impress me these days. On this year's festival I went to the concerts of twelve Scandinavian bands. Only three of them where bands that I had never seen before. Most of the rest of those bands are bands I've been to recently, at least within the range of a year. But that doesn't necessarily have to be something bad, sure, I'm harder to impress, but I'm also able to compare different occasions with each other, and festivals tend to be something different from a regular gig at some club. Still, something more exclusive would absolutely be preferable. I'm growing quite tired of the likes of The Ark, Mando Diao, Timbuktu, Shout Out Louds and The Tough Alliance (you can't avoid them!).

But on with it, you have my two cents on the Swedish music climate, here's a take on some of the artists. Hellsongs was one of the bands I've never had the pleasure to make an acquaintance with. Transforming classic heavy metal songs into lounge music, what do you get? Lounge metal of course. And really, these songs show a completely new dimension when made into slow ballads. "Run to the Hills", "Seek and destroy", "Breaking the law", you know, the sing-along is great even in the ballad versions. Ballads turned into nifty pop songs with piano and loads of energy is the one of the specialities of Linda Carlsson, aka Miss Li. The woman is crazy, I tell you! Her rough vocals would make any man proud, still she manages to keep her femininity and sensuality intact. There's no way you can leave a Miss Li concert without at least a few dance steps. Along with Weeping Willows, those old geezers still know how to play a show, Linda Carlsson was the highlight of this festival.

You can't mention Strip Music without mentioning Henric de la Cour (Ex-Yvonne). The man may look like a wolf, but he knows how to work at stage. The music can best be described as emo-rock with lots of synthesizers. Perfect in the cold night of Arvika. Do you like leather boots, wearing a black mask and the taste of a whip by the way? Then you should have been at the Kristian Anttila ('cuz he did apparently) concert. How almost pubertal pop music can turn into Sado-BDSM, I'm not sure. The gig was ok, though the "Does anyone want to fuck with me tonight?"-part was a bit unnecessary. Some other people that I don't want to sleep with are the guys from In Flames. Chubby, long-haired men, constantly pissed-off and armed with dozens of brutal metal-wrecking riffs, na, not my kind really. But the show was something for the ears as well as the eyes. Bombs away! Pain, alias super genius Peter Tägtgren, also had the riffs, but only one bomb. He got the rain on the other hand. Too bad, I think most people who like In Flames would find Pain enjoyable as well. Most people decided to stay in their tents.

So, what about the no-so-good-bands? Vapnet, Mixtapes & Cellmates and Ida-Maria were all big disappointments. I really thought Vapnet would be more than a one-hit-wonder ("Kalla mig", anyone?), but sadly I was mistaken. Mixtapes & Cellmates on the other hand, have really good songs but they still have problems applying them to the live format. And Ida-Maria. I wouldn't say she did an all out bad gig, it was just not as incredibly fantastic as it was at Hultsfredsfestivalen. But you shouldn't focus too much on the bad things, all in all, I am still very satisfied with Arvika 2007.
- Christian Stenbacke]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 articles fest http://www.itsatrap.com/n/977 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/977 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/977#comments There's a new Vapnet video for "Tar tillbaka det" just posted yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh4b144H3sI]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/978 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/978 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/978#comments For more Hybris-related goodness, check Ink19 for recent reviews of Vapnet and Juvelen: http://www.ink19.com/]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1112#comments More Hybris downloads! Get mp3s of new singles from Vapnet ("Tar tillbaka det") plus new singing Elias and the Wizzkids ("The dance").]]> Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25695-listmania-2007-so-far#comments An ever-increasing glut of new releases and an always-shrinking attention span means that it's harder than ever to keep track of all the music that is able to withstand the test of time. We can help! Yes, it's time once again for the feature that everyone loves to hate - the top 10 list. Okay, top 3s. We're only halfway through 2007, after all. So what has the collective contributing force of It's A Trap! been listening to the most these past six months? Read on!
- Avi Roig, Editor-in-Chief

Jonas Appelqvist:

1. Logh – North (Bad Taste Records)
   An album that crawls under your skin to move you in every way imaginable. Atmospheric, dark and gloomy, yet filled with hope and warmth. Pure magic.
2. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
   Annika Norlin together with peeps from Isolation Years. Immediate success of course. And in dialect, which is a huge plus!
3. Laakso – Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
   Needless to say, everything Markus Krunegård touches turns to gold (remember Hets from last year's top ten-list?). Indiepop at its best.

Nancy Baym:

1. Isolation Years - Sign sign (NONS)
   Lacks the high points of their previous records, but it's their most consistent and it spent most of January on repeat.
2. The Fine Arts Showcase - Sing Rough Bunnies (Adrian Recordings)
   Just released and maybe I'll tire of it, but not yet. 30 minutes of delicious pop ditties sung by a man who really knows how to sing. Very tasty, but leaves me hungry for more.
3. My Midnight Creeps - Histamin (MMC Records/EMI)
   Big loud swamp rock with massive guitars. Excellent music for falling on your knees and pumping fists in the air and some walls of sound that epitomize all that rock and roll should be.

Jason Christie:

1. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
   It is zeitgeist. Everything about this is fresh. Not-a-jot of cynicism. Sweden's best act now.
2. Sahara Hotnights - What if leaving is a loving thing (Stand By Your Band)
   Thankfully carving out a breezier side on the new disc. This year's surprise.
3. Laakso - Mämmilä rock (PEC FI)
   Laakso are HUGE. Apparently took 45 years to make using a process more secretive than Iran's muclear program and as mental as the 'Sinner or a winner' bloke on Piccadilly Circus.

Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson:

1. Aerial – The sentinel (Nomethod)
   Released on the last day of the first month of 2007, and still, four months later, amongst my favorite records of the year. Aerial's dark symphony of guitars, the waves of sound breaking over the guiding hands of the drums and bass, both maintaining some form of structural integrity in the midst of the beautiful chaos, and yet still prone to their own skillful flourishes, finds me just as wonderfully lost in the dense layers of their compositions today as I was in the early days of this year.
2. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
   Instead of building on the playful, sometimes brash narratives of "Howl howl gaff gaff", the newest effort from Shout Out Louds displays a far more complicated, mature, and powerful sound. It is rare that musicians evolve so noticeably in a record's time, and arguably even more surprising that a group's sophomore album so excels their debut, but "Our ill wills" proves that while it may be a rare accomplishment, it is one that can be achieved.
3. The Chrysler – The Benelux years (Flora & Fauna)
   While not everyone's cup of tea, The Chrysler are, at least in my humble opinion, one the greatest indie bands around. "The Benelux years" outshines their previous efforts, which is no easy feat, and has already cemented itself as a record that will continue to grow on me as the months and years slip by.

Matt Giordano:

1. Laakso - Mother, am I good looking? (V2)
   This should be Laakso's international breakthrough. We'll just see if someone is brave enough to work with it.
2. Vapnet - Något dåligt nytt har hänt (Hybris)
   This band just keeps delivering the goods, and it keeps getting better.
3. Montt Mardié - Clocks/Pretender (Hybris)
   David Pagmar's second album is his vision finally coming into fruition.

Hanzan:

1. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
   I never got Hello Saferide. Sure, it was charming, but never blew me away. Säkert! however has made me laugh, cry, blush. It's made me angry, happy, nostalgic, sometimes all this during the same listen. Brilliant.
2. Eldkvarn - Svart blogg (EMI)
   The alcohol-drenched romantism of "Fulla för kärlekens skull" alone could almost have earned Eldkvarn a place on this list. Thankfully the rest of "Svart blogg" is amazing too. Cathartically personal, "Svart blogg" is one album I didn't think I'd love. But clearly do.
3. Familjen - Det snurrar i min skalle (Adrian Recordings/Hybris)
   Shamelessly playful electropop that should be the soundtrack to everyones summer (and autumn and winter). Familjen holds the Scanian flag high, presenting some of the best Swedish electronic pop in a long time.

Nick Levine:

1. Robyn/Kleerup - With every hearteat (Meatboys mix)
   Massive track added onto the UK release of Robyn's album. However, the Meatboys mix is far superior to the original.
2. Those Dancing Days - demo
   The Swedish buzz band of the year so far. Definitely one to watch out for in 2008.
3. Kalle J - Vingslag 7" (Unga Hjärtan)
   I don't know much about Kalle J, but this song incorporates oodles of feel good vibes and is shaping up to be one of my anthems of the summer.

Kevin Renick:

1. Kate Havnevik - Melankton (Continentica)
   One hell of a swirling, self-assured, orchestrally dramatic singer/songwriter debut, this outing by Norway's latest female wunderkind is a gem, and "New day" is among the best songs of the year.
2. Rumskib - s/t (Darla)
   As a fan of ethereal shoegaze when it's got real heart and style, I was mesmerized by the work of this Danish duo. Dreamy, melodic and beautifully produced songs featuring the voice of Tine Louise Kortermand.
3. Dungen - Tio bitar (Subliminal Sounds/Kemado Records)
   Another dose of immacutely rendered, fuzzed-out prog from the dazzling mind and chops of Sweden's Gustav Ejstes. Remarkably free of fat and not cowering in the shadow of its highly acclaimed predecessor.

Avi Roig:

1. Aerial - The sentinel (Nomethod)
   #1 with a bullet. An album I loved wholeheartedly from the very first moment I heard it.
2. Kristofer Åström - RainawayTown (Startracks)
   Older, wiser and with a new backing band to match. This is a record that will sound just as good 10 years from now.
3. Maia Hirasawa - Though, I'm just me (Razzia)
   A toss-up between this and Säkert!. Behind the indiepop hits (Maia's "And I found this boy" vs Annika's "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt") hides two deeply touching records, Maia edges out slightly ahead due to my sadly lacking Swedish skills.

Christian Stenbacke:

1. Sounds Like Violence – With blood on my hands (Burning Heart/Deep Elm)
   Andreas Söderlund is nothing more than pure genious. No matter if he plays with his collegues in Niccokick, produces Hello Safreride or goes back to the basics with neo-hardcore band Sounds Like Violence, everyting reeks with his presence. "With blood on my hands" is the most definite angst-ridden, panic-strucken, anxiety-filled record you'll come a cross this year.
2. Shout Out Louds – Our ill wills (Bud Fox/Merge)
   Shout Out Louds may have gone The Cure, but I don't really care. Great music is always great music, no matter what, right? Beacuse "Our Ill Wills" is certrainly great music. I doubt that you'll ever hear a more well-crafted popsong than "Impossible" for a long time to come.
3. Isolation Years – Sign sign (NONS)
   It was a very close call between Isolation Years and Kristofer Åström, both artists have put out two insanely good records this first half of 2007. The choice finally fell upon "Sign sign", a record filled with the sweet and emotional, almost charitable, popmusic that has become the distinguishing mark of the lads from Norrland, Sweden.

Simon Tagestam:

1. Säkert! - s/t (Razzia)
   Ace melodies and lyrics make this the best album of 2007, yet.
2. The Tough Alliance - New chance (Sincerely Yours)
   What a comeback!
3. Lovekevins - Vs the snow (Songs I Wish I Had Written)
   Clever indie pop with a lot of warmth and humour. A personal favourite.

From: Göteborg, Sweden

Sounds like: Charming indie pop with peculiar lyrics and a lo-fi feel.

Listen: I can't think of anything

Discography:
2007 – Shaking an egg EP (Fridlyst)
2005 – I got mad at the kids EP (Bedroom recordings)

Links:
www.myspace.com/agentsimple
www.fridlystmusic.com

Agent Simple got under my skin a couple of years ago, and now with his second EP out I think it's time for more people to get him under their skins. I'm willing to share this musical treasure with the whole world; you should feel honoured.
- Simon Tagestam

Band members:
Stefan Strömberg

Who is Agent Simple? How did you come to be? How long have been making music under this name?

I'm just a regular guy from Gothenburg, you wouldn't notice me on the street. Two years ago I quit the rock band I'd been in for some time and thought I'd stop making music. Then I ended up writing tunes on my own and that's how Agent Simple came about.

What are you inspirations?

I can't think of a time when I've ever felt inspired and I don't really know how what it is. People seem to be able to get inspired by things all the time, like waking and it's sunny. That makes me feel good, not inspired. Bad feelings and anger don't make me write music either. I don't really know what does.

What do you do besides the music?

I have to get up at five in the morning and take the bus to a job on the factory floor of a car manufacturer in Gothenburg. It's no good, but at least it's a job. That's the kind of job you get without a proper education. The one good thing about the job is that i get to listen to my Ipod ten hours a day and discover music that I wouldn't have time to under other circumstances.

What's in the near future for Agent Simple?

Well, I'm releasing an EP right now titled "Shaking an egg" on Fridlyst that excites me, and I've started working on the songs for my debut album, which I intend to finish in the near future. If all goes well, I think I might be going abroad to play some shows as well.

How do you record your songs?

I'm particularly bad at drumming, so I have a guy doing that for me. The rest I basically play myself. My new EP is recorded in my friend's apartment.

What can one expect from a concert with Agent Simple?

To play an instrument if there are band members missing.

What's your personal favourite Agent Simple song? Why?

At the moment it's probably one of the songs that I haven't recorded yet. Probably the one about Dundee where my girlfriend lives.

What album/film/ book did you like in 2006?

My favourite album of 2006 is Vapnet's "Jag vet hur man väntar". That one and Euros Child's "Chops". I don't have the attention span to read an entire book. If I did, I'd probably be smarter and have a better job. I know I've seen good films this year, but I can't think of any.

]]> Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1669 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1669 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/1669#comments In case you didn't notice, new stuff from Hybris (Montt Mardié, Vapnet, Juvelen) just arrived in the webstore yesterday. Go get it!]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25924-vapnet-nagot-daligt-nytt-har-hant-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25924-vapnet-nagot-daligt-nytt-har-hant-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25924-vapnet-nagot-daligt-nytt-har-hant-hybris#comments No rest for the wicked! After giving us the best album of last year ("Jag vet hur man väntar"), Vapnet have now "done an Arctic Monkeys" and released a mini-album (hopefully they will do another "Arctic Monkeys" and release their second full length album this year as well). There are five proper songs on the album - one The Avalanches-like number, and an instrumental outro (which I guess is a version of "Tjernobyl") There is also a song sung by Jens Lekman, which I didn't like at first, but has started to grow on me. The other four songs are of the highest quality. "Tjernobyl" sounds like a song I would consider doing one of those audio tattoos of, in my ear, if those things existed. "Förtjäna mig själv" ("Deserve myself") is another knockout track, with classic Vapnet lyrics and a girl going "baa-ba-ba" in the background during the chorus. I think I love Vapnet more than ice cream.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 9

01. (02) Shout Out Louds - Tonight I have to leave
02. (01) Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
03. (Ny) The Shins - Australia
04. (03) Maxïmo Park - Our velocity
05. (16) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Yankee go home
06. (04) Oi Va Voi - Yuri
07. (Ny) Camille Jones - The Creeps (Fedde Le Grand Remix)
08. (Ny) Salem al Fakir - This is who I am
09. (09) The Moonbabies - War on sound
10. (07) Bloc Party - I still remember
11. (12) Bonde Do Role - Solta o frango
12. (Ny) Fountains of Wayne - Someone to love
13. (Ny) Jamie T - Calm down dearest
14. (Ny) Lovekevins - Tamagotchi freestyle
15. (Ny) Manic Street Preachers - Your love alone is not enough
16. (Ny) CK - En på miljonen
17. (06) The Honeydrips - (Lack of) Love will tear us apart
18. (14) Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
19. (17) The Kooks - Ooh la
20. (20) Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir

Leaving the chart:
Lily Allen - Littlest things
The Pigeon Detectives - Romantic Type
Tingsek - Proud to be part of these days
Familjen - Kom sager dom
Vapnet med Jens Lekman - Håll ihop
The Ripps - Loco
Kings of Leon - On Call
Common & Will.I.Am - A dream]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2040 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2040 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2040#comments The tracklist for Montt Mardié's forthcoming double album "Clocks/Pretender":

Clocks:
01. In which we meet the clocks and a song is reveled (Too many songs unwritten)
02. Set sail tomorrow
03. Birthday boy (drama)
04. I will write a book
05. Let's get away from it all
06. 1969
07. Travelers
08. The windmill turns all the same
09. How I won the war
10. In which a sailor returns and we say good-bye for now (Set sail tomorrow)

Pretender:
01. Surprised (with Andreas Mattsson)
02. Metropolis (with Fredrik Hellström of Le Sport)
03. Once I was so in love that I followed (with Bobby Baby)
04. Castle in the sky (with Jens Lekman)
05. Hurry home (with The Legends)
06. Daughters (with Peder Stenberg of Deportees)
07. Hacienda (with Christian Zellinger)
08. När vi gett dom våld ska vi ge er kärlek (with Vapnet)
09. Grand Prix finals (with Mr Suitcase)
10. Pretenders (with Hello Saferide)

As mentioned before, it comes out April 18 via Hybris. Buy the first single "The windmill turns all the same" and download a free track here: http://tinyurl.com/yoo7nl]]> Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2126 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2126 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2126#comments This week's Swedish student radio top 20:

01. (01) Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
02. (NY) Shout Out Louds - Tonight I have to leave
03. (08) Maxïmo Park - Our velocity
04. (19) The Honeydrips - (Lack of) Love will tear us apart
05. (05) Vapnet med Jens Lekman - Håll ihop
06. (NY) Bloc Party - I still remember
07. (03) Kings of Leon - On call
08. (06) The Moonbabies - War on sound
09. (04) The Kooks - Ooh la
10. (13) Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
11. (11) Lily Allen - Littlest things
12. (NY) The Ripps - Loco
13. (02) Asha Ali - Coward heart
14. (NY) Bonde Do Role - Solta o frango
15. (NY) Familjen - Kom sager dom
16. (07) Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
17. (NY) Oi Va Voi - Yuri
18. (18) Tingsek - Proud to be part of these days
19. (NY) Common & Will.I.Am - A dream
20. (15) Jamie T - If you got the money

Leaving the chart:
Badly Drawn Boy - A journey from A to B
The Ark - Absolutely no decorum
Korn med Amy Lee - Freak on a leash
The Long Blondes - Giddy Stratospheres
Sahara Hotnights - Cheek to cheek
Tokyo Police Club - Nature of the experiment
Joss Stone - Tell me about it]]> Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25945-sakert-s-t-razzia-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25945-sakert-s-t-razzia-records http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25945-sakert-s-t-razzia-records#comments As you might already know, this is Annika (Hello Saferide) Norlin's new project sung entirely in Swedish. I've listened to it quite a lot, and I must say I hold pure unconditional love for this album. It's quite odd, since I'm not the biggest Hello Saferide fan. The songs here are extremely peppy, and Annika's vocal delivery and lyrics are quite often undoubtedly inspired by Jakob Hellman (e.g. the "Jag vill inte gå på återträff och återträffa dig" line in "Sanningsdan"), which is fine since there's nothing wrong with sounding like the man who released the best ever album sung in the Swedish language, is there? The best song on the album is actually (as previously posted by Avi) "Sanningsdan" - a duet with Martin Hanberg from Vapnet (there's also another fine duet with Markus from Laakso). The rest of the songs are also fantastic, even the slow songs are great. I never expected I'd like this album this much, but I do! I do!
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 9

01. (07) Arctic Monkeys - Brainstorm
02. (02) Asha Ali - Coward heart
03. (15) Kings of Leon - On call
04. (11) The Kooks - Ooh la
05. (NY) Vapnet med Jens Lekman - Håll ihop
06. (04) The Moonbabies - War on sound
07. (14) Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy
08. (NY) Maximo Park - Our velocity
09. (03) Badly Drawn Boy - A journey from A to B
10. (01) The Ark - Absolutely no decorum
11. (05) Lily Allen - Littlest things
12. (NY) Korn med Amy Lee - Freak on the leash
13. (12) Pelle Carlberg - I love you, you imbecile
14. (18) The Long Blondes - Giddy stratospeheres
15. (19) Jamie T - If you got the money
16. (08) Sahara Hotnights - Cheek to cheek
17. (16) Tokyo Police Club - Nature of the experiment
18. (13) Tingsek - Proud to be part of these days
19. (NY) The Honeydrips - (Lack of) Love will tear us apart
20. (09) Joss Stone - Tell me about it

Leaving the chart:
Regina Spektor - Samson
The Shins - Phantom limb
Cold War Kids - Hang me up to dry
Amerie - Take control]]> Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2263 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2263 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2263#comments Pitchfork on the new Vapnet single with Jens Lekman: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/41690]]> Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2301 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2301 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2301#comments There's a brand new Vapnet song on myspace featuring guest vocals from Jens Lekman: http://www.myspace.com/vapnet
The track will appear on the forthcoming MCD "Något nytt dåligt har hänt" to be released on April 4 via Hybris.]]> Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27789-mp3-sakert-sanningsdan http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27789-mp3-sakert-sanningsdan http://www.itsatrap.com/n/27789-mp3-sakert-sanningsdan#comments It was never a matter of if I was going to post something from Säkert!, the Swedish-language project of Annika Norlin aka Hello Saferide, only a matter of when. Naturally, I am predisposed to enjoy the record - how could I not? I'm obviously a big enough fan of Hello Saferide that I decided it was worth a couple thousand dollars to press her debut album on vinyl and promote it in the US. Factor in that Annika is backed on the record by some of Umeå's best musicians and I'm sold before I've heard a note. It's no secret that I hold Norrland's capital city near and dear to my heart - my label's first release was from KVLR, another band from that same city. So what do you get when you have Henrik Oja from The Spacious Mind plus Mats Hammarström and Daniel Berglund from Isolation Years all making music together? Hopefully you've heard the brilliant debut single "Vi kommer att dö samtidigt" already; if not please recitify that right away. Um, can you say pop hit of the year? It's good enough that it's already inspired an English cover version from The Animal Five. I'm a bit torn on which track is the runner-up - it was either "Allt som är ditt" or today's mp3 post "Sanningsdan". The former is a fantastic song, but it's also a bit more downbeat (it reminds me a lot of something from Johndoe's "Dødvinkel", one of my favorite albums from 2006), so I've gone with the latter. It's a duet with Martin Hanberg of Vapnet and it practically stands up and demands a video treatment. It also demands repeat plays with the way it stops, restarts and fades out. So infectious! I wish I could tell you what it's about, but I can't so I won't. Just enjoy the song.
Buy the self-titled album: [click here]]]> Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500 mp3s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2915 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2915 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/2915#comments Read a report from last night's Tack!Tack!Tack! show featuring Vapnet and Cat5: [click here]
For another take on the evening, go here: http://hotstufffiles.com/2007/01/23/unshielded-twisted-cables-cat-5-tack-tack-tack
For yet another report, go here: http://acediscovery.blogspot.com/2007/01/cat5.html]]> Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25672-live-report-cat5-vapnet-the-social-london-uk-01-22-07 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25672-live-report-cat5-vapnet-the-social-london-uk-01-22-07 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25672-live-report-cat5-vapnet-the-social-london-uk-01-22-07#comments For the third year, 12th installment and band #22, T!T!T! rolled up its sleeves for a few rounds of world championship unadulterated pop.

The Social has a god-awful sound system, but Vapnet and a deft sound technician truly succeeded (no exaggeration: it really worked). Tonight such harmony, beautiful percussion, instrumentation, blips, squeaks, hand claps and musical widgets sufficed to proselytize all (including Pitchfork early last summer).

What effect they have: "Kalla mig" (as covered by The Sweptaways), "E14", "Prästgarden" and "Thoméegrand" (as amazing as Emmaboda's forfest rendition) which all went down like a Haggis on Burn's night! Evident from Vapnet's set: the more complex, the more prolific the execution becomes with no room to relax – six co-dependants and no heavy amplification to hide behind, are in no uncertain terms, superb.

This was Vapnet's UK debut, and Östersund's debut at T!T!T!, the very town where my own Swedish music/love affair started in 1994, she was Lena Vinger and along with Annika Norlin it was an era of Jämtlander who took 'grov snus'. Lyrics like "Du kan kalla mig bög / kall mig CP" could really never be born anywhere else.

Lest not forget T!T!T! alumni electro pop minxes Cat5 who this evening turned the crowd on in more ways than one, giving a pleasant rise the coldest of London nights this year. "Play loud", "Sexy" and new song "Boys", performed before a projection screen, strobe, smoke and rotating police light, disco ball and velvet curtain backdrop! Naughty Euro-pop kitsch, and slinky to boot.

Some said irony, from my vantage point Cat5 seemed to mean business. Actually serious enough that these girls need dancers, and straight guys throwing boxers on stage - because it's naive, brilliant gayness every time.
- Jason Christie

]]> Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 articles reviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3013 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3013 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3013#comments As you may have already noticed, Vapnet will be heading to the UK next week to play Tack!Tack!Tack!. Well, they've also added a few extra dates to the journey:

01/22 - The Social, London w/Cat5 (Tack!Tack!Tack!)
01/23 - The Cellar, Oxford w/Borderville, Jack Harris
01/24 - Nice n' Sleazy, Glasgow (Sounds of Sweden)]]> Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/3112#comments The nominees for the 2007 Manifest Awards, Sweden's alternative to the Grammy:

Hip-hop/R&B/Soul:
Up Hygh! - Venus - The Album (Raw Fusion/Border)
Ison & Fille - Stolthet (Hemmalaget/V2/BAM)
Supersci - Pinetrees On The Pavement (Flyphonic/Lights Out/Border)
Lazee - It Is What It Is (Skrilla Music)
Promoe - The White Mans Burden (Burning Heart/BAM)
Electronica/Post-rock/Synth:
Covenant - Skyshaper (Subspace Communications/Playground Music)
Ebb - Loona (Gaymonkey Records/Border)
FAP - Malekasino Dondolo (Stupid Dream Records/Musicspot)
System - Sample And Hold (Progress Productions/Border)
The Idealist - I Am The Fire (AA/Nosordo/dotshop.se)
Pop/Rock:
The Radio Dept. - Pet grief (Labrador/Border)
Nicolas Makelberge - Dying in Africa (*Rico/Border)
Fibes, Oh Fibes! - Emotional (Pluxemburg/Playground Music)
The Concretes - In Colour (Licking Fingers/Playground Music)
Ebba Forsberg - Ebba Forsberg (EBOTH Production/BAM)
Jazz:
My Engström Renman - Abdominous (Footprint Records/CDA)
Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Son of a Drummer (Moserobie/BAM)
Oddjob – Luma (Amigo/BAM)
Oskar Schönning - Happy Jazz, Please (Amigo/BAM)
Lennart Åberg with Peter Erskine - Free Spirit (Amigo/BAM)
Singer/Songwriter:
Andreas Mattsson - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes (Hybris/Playground Music)
Britta Persson - Top Quality Bones And A Little Terrorist (Amigo/BAM)
The Lancaster Orchestra - Never Cried Once When I Could Have (Rootsy.nu/Border)
Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John Recordings/Dotshop.se)
Nina Ramsby & Martin Hederos - Jazzen (Amigo/BAM)
Dance/House/Techno:
The Knife - Silent Shout (Rabid Records/Border)
Unai - A Love Moderne (Force Tracks/Intergroove)
Dibaba - samlad produktion 2006 (Plong!/Kompakt mfl)
Pluxus - Solid State (Pluxemburg/Playground Music)
The Studio - West Coast (Information/Border)
Hard-rock/Punk:
In Flames - Come Clarity (Nuclear Blast/Sound Pollution)
Fingerspitzengefühl - Happy Doomsday (Kooljunk Communications/CDA)
Asta Kask - En För Alla Ingen För Nån (Burning Heart/BAM)
Wolverine - Still (Candlelight Records/Sound Pollution)
Memfis - The Wind-Up (Dental Records/TMC Nordic)
Folk/World/Reggae
Bosse Skoglund – Groovesopor (Rub-a-dub Records/Border)
Göran Månsson - Mon (Nordic Tunes/CDA)
Bebo Valdés – Bebo (Calle 54/BMG Dist)
Lena Willemark - Älvdalens elektriska (Amigo/BAM)
Ranarim - Morgonstjärna (Drone/CDA)
Best live act:
The Radio Dept.
Mapei
The Knife
The Je Ne Sais Quoi
Slagsmålsklubben
Best newcomer:
Vapnet - Jag Vet Hur Man Väntar (Hybris/Playground)
Britta Persson - Top Quality Bones And A Little Terrorist (Amigo/BAM)
The Kid - La Société Nouvelle (Hybris/Playground)
Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John Recordings/Dotshop.se)
Lo-Fi-Fnk - Boylife (La Vida Locash/dotshop.se)
Best unsigned act (Digfi Prize):
The Wonderful Guinea Pigs (Linköping)
Denver Mod (Jönköping)
The Open Up And Bleeds (Stockholm)
Trucker Cleavage (Stockholm)
Ikons (Göteborg)]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25654-top-10s-for-2006-staff-picks#comments Not everyone was able to get their lists in on time, but I think you'll find more than enough titles here well-worth investigating, whatever your tastes may be. Enjoy!

Jonas Appelqvist:

01. The Fine Arts Showcase – Radiola (Adrian Recordings)
When Christian released a kinda mediocre record, Gustav stepped up, delivered and restored the honour of the Kjellvander brothers.

02. C.Aarmé – Vita (Burning Heart)
Music for the gut, not the brain. Göteborg's finest punks just recently split up, it's a pity.

03. Hets – s/t (V2/Etikett: Hets)
I was a bit hesitative when I heard that members from Laakso, Fireside and Moneybrother formed a band. They proved me wrong.

04. Raised Fist – The sound of the republic (Burning Heart Records)
This long awaited full-length proved to be exactly what I hoped for. Uncompromising hardcore, this time with hooks!

05. Insurgent Kid – Paranoia (Wasted Sounds)
Just recently released and it went straight into this list. The punkrock on this disc is, in fact, all I ever need.

06. Khoma – The second wave (Roadrunner)
I always knew something good would come out of Plastic Pride.

07. Aerial – Black rain from the nombing (Nomethod)
Epic and almost instrumental post-rock from Sandviken that moved me big time.

08. Tar... Feathers – Make way for the ocean floor to fall to the surface (Release the Bats!)
Self-willed indiepop that sounds like Modest Mouse mixed with Xiu Xiu at times.

09. Darkthrone – The cult is alive (Peaceville)
Pioneers that released their most interesting record since "Total Death". Black-metal with one hell of a punkrockattitude!

10. Cult of Luna – Somewhere along the highway (Earache)
One of the records I've listened to the most in 2006 and it's still intriguing.

Top 3 non-scandinavian records of 2006:
Converge – No heroes (Epitaph)
Electric President – s/t (Morr Music)
Cursive – Happy hollow (Saddle Creek)

Nancy Baym:

01. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris/PlayRec)
It's catchy, it's quirky, it's consistently strong. And it's interesting too.

02. Skywriter - Where both worlds never meet (Iceberg Records)
The slow ones drag a bit, but the fast songs are a sublime mix of sexy, cool, driving and restrained.

03. Consequences - s/t (BOW/Groover Recordings)
Puts the "infection" in infectious pop. I can't stop listening to it and really don't want to either.

04. Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's block (V2/Wichita)
Not as good as last year's "Falling out", but an okay Peter Bjorn and John record is still better than most.

05. Pelle Carlberg - Everything. Now! (Labrador)
He's thoughtful, he's sensitive, he's twee, but most of all he's the perfect mix of soothing and beautiful. Frazzled nerves be gone!

06. The Phonies - Gran tourettes (Money Laundry Records)
Inconsistent record from Finland's Phonies, but it's best songs are exhuberant enough to carry the rest.

07. Billie the Vision & the Dancers - The world according to Pablo (self-released)
While I'm From Barcelona gets all the buzz, I prefer this. It's kind of mellow, a little dark, sort of conceptual if you bother to figure it out, but most of all, it just sounds good.

08. David & the Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
David Fridlund's a melodic genius and the music may be better than ever, but Fridlund's angst runs too close to whining too much of the time.

09. Starflower - Moment in the sun (Music Is My Girlfriend)
Tranquil and poppy, youthful and tuneful, it's a gentle little debut from a band I hope will diversify its sound in releases to come.

10. The Charade - Real Life Drama (Skipping Stones)
Half of this is too sweet for me, but the rest is charming as all get out, and "September" easily wins the award for catchiest sugar pop song of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

Sivert Høyem and the Volunteers - Exiles (Hektor Grammofon)
It's not out yet and I've only heard 2 songs, but given his track record with Madrugada and his last solo record, it's guaranteed a spot in my top 10 when I do get to hear the rest.

Tiger Lou - The loyal (Startracks)
It came out in 2005 but now I've finally heard this record. It's got such a cool consistent vibe, such a unique sound, and I'm under it's spell completely.

Matt Giordano:

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Writers block (V2/Wichita)
After last years excellent "Falling out" I expected a great album, but this release just floored me.

02. Loney, Dear - Sologne (Dear John)
Yes, this is technically a re-release, and yes, it's that good.

03. The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola (Adrian)
This is the new album I listened to most this year, and a it was quite a leap artistically for Mr. Kjellvander.

04. Hell On Wheels - The odd church (Hybris)
This one sat in my room for about a month until one day I brought it in the car with me, and to say the least, I was impressed.

05. Vapnet - Jag vet hur man väntar (Hybris)
"Thoméegränd" instantly hit me with pure pop genuis, and this album is so textured and deep, it has yet to be fully realised.

06. Firefox AK - Madame, madame! (Razzia)
It took me a while, but I have finally realised how genius this album is.

07. Nicolai Dunger - Sjunger Edith Södergran (EMI)
I believe this is Mr. Dunger's most cohesive album to date, and perhaps his most intimate.

08. Sibiria - Inom familjen (Hybris)
Martin A and Martin H put out two stellar albums in one year. Gorgeous.

09. The Knife - Silent shout (Rabid)
This album is both bleak and enchanting.

10. David & The Citizens - Stop the tape! Stop the tape! (Bad Taste)
This album is so solid, and it should silence all of the naysayers.

Other:

Best 2005 release of 2006:
El Perro Del Mar - El Perro Del Mar (Memphis Industries/The Control Group)
Gorgeous, that is the only way to describe the songwriting of Sarah Assbring, and it's good to see the rest of the world catching on.

Top three non-Scandinavian releases:

Tom Waits - Orphans (Anti)
This is absolutely essential.

Nobody & Mystic Chords Of Memory - Tree colored see (Mush)
Another post-Beachwood Sparks work of excellence, now I'm only wishing for Beachwood Sparks to reunite.

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos (RCA)
America's best current live band, and this is their document.

Top ten songs of 2006*
01. Montt Mardié - "My girlfriend is in the Grand Prix finals" from "Science" (Hybris)
02. Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" from "Writers block" (V2)
03. Kristofer Åström - "So much for staying alive" from "Black Valley" (Startracks)
04. Loney, Dear - "The city, the airport" from "Sologne" (Dear John)
05. Tom Waits - "Bottom of the world" from "Orphans" (Anti)
06. Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" from "Jag vet hur man väntar" (Hybris)
07. The Velvet Teen - "Gyzmkid" from "Cum laude" (Slowdance)
08. Nicolai Dunger - "Lyckokatt" from "Sjunger Edith Södergran" (Dolores)
09. Loose Fur - "The ruling class" from "Born again in the USA" (Drag City)
10. Islands - "Don't call me Whitney, Bobby" from "Return to the sea" (Equator)

*These songs, as well as 31 others appear on my "Best of 2006" mix, which I have made 20 copies of as a double-disc set to give away to the readers of It's A Trap! Here's the deal, the first twenty people to email me at matthew dot giordano at macys dot com with their name and postal address will receive a copy (as well as tracklisting) in the mail. Enjoy.

Kevin Renick, in alphabetical order:

01. Ampop - My delusions (Dennis Records)
Balancing the epic and the emotive is an increasingly dicey proposition as more and more groups on both sides of the Atlantic sacrifice one or the other in the process. Iceland's Ampop gets the blend just right with these 11 surgingly powerful, yet fragile tunes. .

02. El Perro Del Mar - s/t (Memphis Industries)
Possibly the most bubbly, infectious, melodically rich, beautifully sung sad album ever made.

03. Sofia Hardig - The need to destroy (Filthy Records)
An adventurous electronica foray in which Sofia makes an art out of distorted vocals that are nonetheless emotionally wrenching. Dark, machine-laden grooves that grip the soul.

04. The Knife - Silent shout (Brille Records)
By any standard, one of the year's boldest and most significant records, especially for a spooked, tech-savvy, mask-wearin', brother-sister dance-tronica act.

05. Lampshade - Let's away (Glitterhouse)
The sophomore release by this fabulous Swedish/Danish group is just as good as the debut; RebekkaMaria and company fuse primal rock and Scandi sensuality together in a thoroughly compelling manner.

06. Mew - And the glass-handed kites (Sony BMG Music)
A continuously flowing, continuously melodic and dazzling production that got many satisfying spins on my car stereo in 2006.

07. Monty's Loco - Man overboard (NONS)
Take a female vocalist who's like a tougher Emiliana Torrini, add equal parts acoustic/electronic instrumentation, throw in a few dollops of inspired weirdness and mix/produce well. Result: a grabber of an album that tickles the sonic taste buds..

08. Britta Persson - Top quality bones and a little terrorist (Amigo)
I like my Scandinavian music to be a little tart. Britta's debut CD is positively lemony from start to finish, a real standout in a year filled with great records by Scandi girls.

09. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society - Fiction at first view (Mimo Sound)
A master class in inspired prog songcraft, superb guitar playing and the art of channeling diverse influences into your own lovingly prepared recipe.

10. Sonores - Elefanten (Structures Sonores)
As a long-time fan of both atmospheric ambient and mournful female vocals, this texturally absorbing disc had me at "eftermiddag".

Best EP: Detektivbyrån - Hemvägen (Danarkia)
Best CD to reevaluate your life to: Es - Sateenkkarisuudelma (K-RAA-K)
Best reasons to have faith that the spirit of weirdness lives on in Scandiland: The Bear Quartet, Sir Eric Beyond, and Tar...Feathers

Simon Tagestam:

01. Vapnet – Jag vet hur man väntar (album / Hybris)
Vapnet lived up to all my expectations and delivered a fantastic album

02. Moneybrother – De vet ingenting om oss (single / Hacka Skivindustri)
This song came totally unexpected and instantly floored me.

03. Lo-Fi-Fnk – Boylife (album / La Vida Loca)
Very exciting album from Sweden’s new dance kings, now TTA gone all new age.

04. Mattias Alkberg BD - Ditt hjärta är en stjärna (album / A West Side Fabrication)
Third and best album from this Bear Quartet member.

05. Taxi Taxi – Old big trees (song on myspace)
Killer song. Got high hopes for these young twins.

06. I'm From Barcelona - Let me introduce my friends (album / Dolores)
Hate them live, but still love their music.

07. Juni Järvi - Wherever thou art (album / Everlasting)
The surprise hit of the year, a collection of some magnificent songs.

08. [ingenting] - Mycket väsen för ingenting (album / Labrador)
An album that deserved much more attention and praise than it got.

09. Juvelen – Watch your step (song on myspace)
Sounds exactly like Prince when he was at his best. Pretty damn good that is!

10. Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-Garde - s/t (album / Flora & Fauna)
Weirdest and most wonderful gig at Emmaboda this year where 'Sir Eric', even though he's Swedish, only talked in English in-between songs. He also released a fine record.

Three amazing songs from albums that I wasn't too keen on:
Fattaru – 100 spänn
Hello Saferide – The quiz
Peter Bjorn and John – Young folks


---------------------------

Jonas Appelqvist is in the works of completing the first fullengthrecord with Blinders On, indierock based in Malmö. The band is, as I write this, finished with the mixing and the mastering of the album entitled "Obsolete music", so we should expect a release in January. The 17th, to be precise. More on that after New Year's Eve.

Nancy Baym can be found happily blogging away at Online Fandom and digging music at Last.fm.

Matt Giordano wishes everyone safe, yet wine-filled holidays and New Year's celebrations, and hopes those who'll be getting his "Best of 2006 mix" enjoy them. He also hopes Arsenal can pick up the pace in the premier league and that Scandinavian bands continue to release the world's best music. Here are the new releases he's looking forward to in 2007: two Laakso records, Kristofer Åström, Shout Out Louds, Via Audio, Christian Kjellvander, Spoon, Tiger Lou (I can hope), My Morning Jacket (I can hope), Nick Cave (I think it's about time for another), Moonbabies, Nicolai Dunger, and all Hyrbis releases.

Kevin Renick is exhausted from trying to pare down the list of favorites from a really great year in music.

Simon Tagestam is a regular contributor to IAT and he doesn't really have any plans for 2007, except some vague ideas concerning a Nintendo Wii, his mother's 60th birthday, more tattoos, and badminton.

]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 articles top10s http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26040-henry-morgans-solokarriar-untitled-self-released http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26040-henry-morgans-solokarriar-untitled-self-released http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26040-henry-morgans-solokarriar-untitled-self-released#comments Henry Morgan's Solokarriär is an untitled 4-track CDr, one of 20 sent to fanzines and alike. "One day, one day" is the opener, a two part: frenetic machined drums with largess lyrical delivery which brings the song to dreamy places. Unforced, Morgan is almost staccato in conveying the emotion in each song. There's that same nervous excitement about the songs heard throughout Vapnet's "Thoméegränd" track. Take a torrid hometown melancholy on "Face from my hometown", "It's not my heart that speaks, but the quivering of an old wound" he sings. "Keeping Me Warm" is the least accomplished of four otherwise decent tracks, including a cute cover of Bright Eyes' "An attempt to tip the scale". If you are one of the 19 others to get a copy of this disc - let's start an old fashioned fan club because, as it stands Henry Morgan's Solokarriär, is one of the best of 2006.
- Jason Christie
Rating: 0

MG: When a listener first hears music he/she can project some of their favourite groups as influences on the group being currently listened to. As an artist, when a fan comes up to you and says "you remind me of x, y, z" what is your initial response? Would you rather have someone come up and say that, or do you find it surprising to hear what they hear in your music? Also, is it possible in modern music to sound like nothing?

MA: If they can pick out the right influences I feel flattered, or if they mention a band I like, but hasn't influenced me. But that happens all too seldom. Often they compare us to other Swedish bands, even though the Swedish language is the only thing we have in common. Of course it's impossible to sound like nothing before, and I can't see the point why one should.

MG: When I first heard "Thomeégrand" last year I knew your sound was something special, and although I do not speak Swedish, it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the music. Does it matter to you if some of the audience has no idea what you're saying, or do you hold the view that great music is great music, no matter what language?

MA: If I had my way, everybody should learn Swedish to get a complete understanding of Vapnet songs. But I think the music can stand for itself too. I would estimate that 80 percent of all pop lyrics are a waste of melodies. Most Swedish bands that get exported abroad have English lyrics, but I don't think that anyone in the UK, for example, buys an album from a Swedish rock band for their lyrics.

MG: Compositionally, Vapnet seems to be based around the electronic drum beats. When skeletons of songs are being formed, do you work on them until you feel the others need to add their instrumentation, or is the creative process more band-oriented?

MA: The process is the counterpart from band-oriented. I tell my musicians what to play and when. But some horn arrangement have been worked out by the horn section. They use terms that I don't understand.

MG: The artwork for your three releases seem to portray a sort of overcast, somewhat gloomy feel, but the actual music is the opposite. Was this intended to be ironic, or completely accidental? (And from an artistic aspect the design is top-notch).

MA: The two latest artwork have a connection to the theme of the songs on "Jag vet hur man väntar". All the songs on the album takes place in Östersund and the photos are taken there. I think that the LP cover captures the feeling of the album, I've aimed at something both beautiful and slightly sad.

MG: Is it tough for Vapnet to perform in a live setting, or does this offer the audience another whole perspective on what has been created — a surprise, so to speak, when they are attending a Vapnet show?

MA: I don't think that our live shows offer much more than the recordings - but they offer a way of hearing the songs in a new way. Sometimes better and/or out of tune and off timing. In live settings, the horn section play a greater part.

MG: Are you currently working on more Vapnet material, non-Vapnet material or in another medium entirely?

MA: I'm working on new Vapnet songs, it will end up either as a EP or a mini-album next spring, hopefully. Me and Martin H, the singer, have another band: Sibiria. We have recorded a new album in a cottage on the Swedish eastcoast, during one week this summer. It will be released this autumn. I have also unrealistic plans of learning to write short stories.

MG: Personally, what excites you to make your music, and just to be creative in general? Also, what just excites you in life?

MA: The moment when a melody and chord progression fits togehter or when a mix starts to sound bigger than its parts is very fulfilling. And when lyrics are completed. Creativity is rewarding in the sense that it shows you that you can create something that stands for itself, without you as a person necessarily involved. You could say that it's a strive after immortality, in a very small way. And it's a way of proving that your capable of something.

Aside from music I get my greatest thrills from good conversations.

MG: Lastly, give the readers a parting message about what is to come from either you personally or Vapnet.

MA: Sorry, I don't know.

]]> Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 articles interviews http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26145-biker-boy-you-got-me-wrong-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26145-biker-boy-you-got-me-wrong-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26145-biker-boy-you-got-me-wrong-hybris#comments I know I've said before, and I'll say it again. What so many Swedish electronic-based acts are gifted at is evoking a warmth that is normally absent from the icy cold genre. This is proven on Biker Boy's new EP, on which the title tracks bubbles along a jaunty pace with the narrator expressing his concern for his lover getting the wrong end of the stick. It is heavily influenced by the Pet Shop Boys, but it's not exactly Che Guevara set to a disco beat, and is more reminiscent of the British duo's more frothy moments. Not a bad thing at all. "Are you going to be the one?" adds as selection of synthesized strings to Biker Boy's palette and cumulatively is the most ballad-like track on this collection. "I was only joking" is a perfect song for the end of the summer. It's both euphoric and moody at the same time. The EP also features an excellent remix package courtesy of Le Sport, Vapnet, Bremen and Kalle J. Pick of the bunch is the Bremen remix which features beats and synths reminiscent of Audio Bullys.
- Nick Levine
Rating: 0

T!T!T! at Emmaboda had a strong red threat of Sweden through the line-up. From Brighton (home of Sweden Made Me) came Bobby McGees. The UK-Sweden link was further bolstered by Monster Bobby's membership in 2/7 Swedish band The Pipettes.
Nevertheless, this was T!T!T! at Emmaboda with IAT jocks.
Festival faves The Bobby McGees gave up seven songs to 150 people crowded in the D&tC tent with Monster Bobby following on with a further six songs, increasing the crowd to 250 - this in competition against Hello Saferide performing on the main stage. Not too shabby we say.
Bands to catch the eye of T!T!T! included Familjen, Hemstad, I'm From Barcelona, Vapnet, SMK, Hello Saferide and D&tC, to name just a few. We missed them, but The Tiny were said to be immense. Old timers like Billie the Vision and the Dancers gave a memorable show, and trumpetplayer Lisa promised to marry T!T!T! Even more lovely was when The Pipettes dedicated "Pull shapes" to T!T!T!
T!T!T! dedicated it to all the other would-be proponents of music on the scene for Scandi music. From Spain, Italy, Scotland, England, Ireland, USA and elsewhere; everyone was there. You know who, Tack!]]> Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more http://www.itsatrap.com/n/25596-video-mix-a-ha-a-camp-fidget-vapnet-the-psyke-project-timbuktu-more#comments Thanks to the modern miracle of YouTube, we now have video on-demand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. No longer are Scandinavian music videos the sole domain of MTV Nordic, ZTV and the like. Now it's for everyone, everywhere, anytime. Hopefully this will be the first of many posts where we can share in the bounty just waiting to be discovered.

A-ha - Take on me

Certified classic. Great song made even better by an amazing video. An obvious first choice. (AR)

A Camp – I can buy you

I don't watch that many videos these days, but when this came out I lived with my parents (a time for sitting on the couch, watching MTV and drinking chocolate milk) and I remember being swept away by the cunning use of two polar opposite Ninas! Shame that the rest of the A Camp album wasn't as good. (ST)

Fidget - Living on video

Although the video does not come close to the original (Trans-X, 1982) it is still a grand cover. (PA)

The Knife - Handy-man

Despite the extremely bright colors and goofball lyrics, this video still totally creeps me out. (AR)

Teh funneh Immortal

Everything is better when it's set to the Benny Hill music. And I actually really like Immortal. (AR)

Vapnet – Thoméegränd
Here's another well made video with a nice little storyline. It's difficult to not be biased though, when the song is my favourite one of the year. (ST)

Refused - New noise

What's with the bunny suites? Anyway, this video makes me want to dance... (PA)

The Psyke Project - In the mist

There's no way that a video matching the brutality of the music would get aired anywhere, so we've got to settle for a performance clip on an empty soundstage. Works for me. (AR)

Timbuktu – The botten is nådd

This is Swedish hip-hop, which would mean nothing to you if you don't speak Swedish, but thanks to the brilliance of videos, everyone should be able to understand the message of hangover and regrets from the previous night, that this song by Timbuktu so masterfully conveys. (ST)

Tiger Lou - Sam

A brilliantly dark video from a brilliant artist. I feel so honored to be working with Tiger Lou on the "Until I'm there" 7" that I'm putting out. (AR)

The Embassy - Stage persona

Say what you will about the band, this video is brilliant! (PA)

Last Days of April – Playerin

An awful and shoddy video for a... no wait a minute, this is indeed a horrible video, but it's a great song and it features a guy running, something that the director of The Embassy's video obviously stole and made into a visual feast. (ST)

.:Who's who?

AR: Avi Roig
PA: Per Apelqvist
ST: Simon Tagestam

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400 articles videos http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5032 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5032 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5032#comments Pitchfork bestows an 8.3 upon Vapnet: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/37469/Vapnet_Jag_Vet_Hur_Man_V%E4ntar
Looking for an affordable copy? Look no further! Compare my price of $15 ppd to Amp Camp's price of $16.25 before shipping! Ain't gonna find a better deal than that, let me tell you.]]> Thu, 27 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5369 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5369#comments Here's the tracklist of duets confirmed for Montt Mardié's upcoming "Chameleon" EP:

01. Once I was so in love that I followed (Bobby Baby)
02. Nu när ni gett dom våld (Vapnet)
03. Stop (Suburdan Kids with Biblical Names)
04. Metropolis (Le Sport)
05. Hurry home (The Legends)
06. Grand prix finals (Mr Suitcase)
07. Castel in the sky (tba)
08. Hacienda (tba)]]> Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5693 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5693 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5693#comments This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. Radiohead
02. Sufjan Stevens
03. The Radio Dept.
04. Death Cab for Cutie
05. Belle and Sebastian
06. The Pipettes
07. The Knife
08. Hello Saferide
09. Franz Ferdinand
10. Hot Chip

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
02. Vapnet - Thoméegränd
03. Peter, Bjorn and John - Young Folks
04. The Pipettes - Pull Shapes
05. The Radio Dept. - A window
06. The Radio Dept. - Tell
07. Band of Horses - Wicked Gil
08. The Concretes - Chosen One
09. Band of Horses - The Funeral
10. Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body

If you want to see your favorites listed here you should join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5859 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5859 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5859#comments Vapnet's video for "Thoméegränd" is now online: http://hybrisfiles.com/video/vapnet-thomeegrand.mp4]]> Wed, 10 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5886 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5886 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/5886#comments This week's It's a trap! Last.fm/Audioscrobbler listening group most-played artist chart:

01. The Radio Dept.
02. Tiger Lou
03. Radiohead
04. Vapnet
05. The Flaming Lips
06. Death Cab for Cutie
07. Built to Spill
08. Belle and Sebastian
09. Bright Eyes
10. Kent

Top 10 tracks for the week:

01. Gnarls barkley - Crazy
02. Vapnet - Thoméegränd
03. The Radio Dept. - A window
04. Sambassadeur - Kate
05. Band of Horses - The Funeral
06. My Enemy - What is love
07. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California
08. Built to Spill - Conventional Wisdom
09. Holy Madre - Shallow Bay
10. The Radio Dept. - Tell

If you want to see your favorites listed here you should join us! Go here to learn more: http://www.last.fm/help/]]> Tue, 09 May 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6220 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6220 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/6220#comments This week's top 20 Swedish student radio chart:

01. (01) Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
02. (NY) Dirty Pretty Things - "Bang Bang You're Dead"
03. (17) SLS - "Get Back"
04. (03) USCB Allstars - "Let's Keep It on Baby"
05. (02) Supersci w/Chords - "On the Grind"
06. (16) Lil' Kim - "Whoa"
07. (09) Laakso - "Never Satisfied"
08. (NY) Plan B - "No Good"
09. (NY) Martha Wainwright - "Factory"
10. (20) Sean Paul - "Temperature"
11. (07) Jamie Foxx w/Ludacris - "Unpredictable"
12. (12) Ghostface Killah med Ne-Yo "Back Like That"
13. (05) Franz Ferdinand - "The Fallen"
14. (NY) Up Hygh w/Little Brother - "Keep On"
15. (09) Lo-Fi-Fnk - "Wake Up"
16. (14) Mystery Jets - "The Boy Who Ran Away"
17. (NY) The Fine Arts Showcase - "The Shoplifter's Union"
18. (18) Håkan Hellström - "Jag hatar att jag älskar dig och jag älskar dig så mycket att jag hatar mig"
19. (NY) Las Palmas - "Du har mail"
20. (ÅT) Matiyashu - "King Without Crown"

Leaving the chart: Ane Brun w/Teitur - "Rubber & Soul", Snook - "Snook, svett & tårar", Soviac - "Ogashaga", Vapnet - "Thoméegränd", Morrissey - "You Have Killed Me", The Streets - "When You Wasn't Famous", Damian Marley w/Bobby Brown - "Beautiful".]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26239-vapnet-thomeegrand-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26239-vapnet-thomeegrand-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26239-vapnet-thomeegrand-hybris#comments Vapnet's EP "Ge dom våld" was one record that I played to death last year. The EP works as a sort of safety blanket for me nowadays, whenever I feel a bit down or if I just crave a quick fix of good music, I put it on. My hopes for their forthcoming album are obviously insanely high, but if the songs on it are as good as (their latest release) "Thoméegränd" or the ones on "Ge dom våld", it could end up being one of my favourite albums ever. This EP also contains a bunch of remixes (by such prominent acts as Le Sport, Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, etc.) which are fun and interesting, but not as satisfactory as new "proper" songs by Vapnet themselves.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 0

Siberia - "Omtagning" single
Hell on Wheels - "Alexandr" single and video
Vapnet - "Thoméegränd" EP and video
Andreas Mattsson (ex-Popsicle, Vanessa and the O's) - "The lawlessness of the ruling classes" album]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7686 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7686 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7686#comments Hybris has announced the signing of both Hell on Wheels and ex-Popsicle member Andreas Mattsson. Check out the label's updated release schedule:

The Kid - CD Album (late January)
Andreas Mattsson - CD Album (February)
Hell on Wheels - CD Album (early March)
Vapnet - CD EP (February)
Vapnet - CD Album (late March)]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7982 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7982 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7982#comments Unarmed Enemies, Le Sport, Mr. Suitcase, Montt Mardié, Cat5, Vapnet and 1, 2, Many will all be contributing together on a Christmas CDR EP. Tracklist:

01. Le Sport, Montt Mardié & Mr Suitcase - Last Christmas
02. Cat5 featuring Le Sport - Sporty Boy
03. Unarmed Enemies - Jag såg mamma kyssa tomten
04. Vapnet - Kalla mig tomten
05. 1, 2, Many - Thursday night
06. Montt Mardié - Bon Jovis Julsång]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7986 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7986 http://www.itsatrap.com/n/7986#comments Hello Saferide will make a guest appearance on Vapnet's upcoming record.]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 news http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26435-sibiria-norrlands-inland-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26435-sibiria-norrlands-inland-hybris http://www.itsatrap.com/n/26435-sibiria-norrlands-inland-hybris#comments There's been a lot of fantastic music released this year, and two tracks that really kept my passion for great music burning have been Sibiria's "Christian Olsson" and "Ljusdal". The first one is a funny and thought provoking diatribe against a Swedish athlete who's taken his money and moved to Monaco. The latter one is actually one of the absolute most astonishing songs of this year, and it's very brave of Sibiria and Hybris (Sibiria's record label) to exclude this hit from the album. Anyway, this album is entirely sung in Swedish, and I wish I could say that this doesn't matter, but it really does matter, since the lyrics play a very important part on "Norrlands Inland". The record is a lot about how it's like growing up in Norrland, which is the northern parts of Sweden and constitutes of 54% of Sweden's total area but only 13% of its population (who said It's a Trap! isn't informative in a non-musical context!?), i.e. it's a pretty lonely and ultimately boring place to live in (I was born way up north in Sweden so I'm allowed to say this). Also, as far as I know, Sibiria is pretty much the same band as Vapnet, so hopefully they'll deliver another fantastic album under that moniker.
- Simon Tagestam
Rating: 0

I'm at the age now (I LOVE that phrase!) where I belong to the older sphere of people who attend music festivals (aged 25 and upwards). This is nothing that bothers me, I'm pretty used to going to gigs where everyone is half my age (and length), but what I find silly is how people indulge in saying how they're "too old" for festivals, as if ageing by itself gives you specific attributes that automatically make you hate being among large groups of young people and seeing bands play live outdoors. Personally, I think that I've enjoyed going to festivals more and more the older I've got. Take this for example, the first festival I went to was the Hultsfred Festival around when I was 16 or so, and that time I saw 40-50 bands, didn't have a shit for 5 days (did I just say that?), nor a shower (oooh, I sure was a hit with the ladies), and every day I had crappy noodles cooked on a crappy portable stove that took ages to clean afterwards. The last festival I went to was also the Hultsfred Festival (16-18th June). This time I "only" went to see 16 bands, had a shower every day, and ate good properly cooked food, (constipation was never an issue). So far I've always camped when I've gone to a festival, although this will soon change. Basically, what I'm saying is that festivals are ace if you got a monthly salary, can get drunk without having to spend your life savings on a bottle of dodgy vodka mixed with water and dirt, got a car (or a friend with one) so that you can bring all the extra necessities you might need (boots, raincoats, extra beer, tons of mixtapes, etc), and it's also good when you've seen a lot of the bands on the festival before so you can spend a large amount of the time sitting around with your mates in the sun getting drunk (and not crazy "teenage" drunk, only pretty goddamn drunk). I didn't mind being a teenager and "wild", but if I'm going to a place where the beer is flowing like wine and the general mindset among people is that of the citizens of Sodom and Gomorra, I rather be a bit older and boring than totally senseless (and end up being taken by the cops because the security guards assume you're on drugs because you act a bit "wild", something that might have happened to me a long, long time ago).

Anyway, I went all the way from London to go to this festival determined not to miss out on any of the bands that I REALLY wanted to see, but also to drink some beer and meet up with some old friends. Hultsfred is not the easiest place to get to though, me and my girl drove for three hours to get there, which would have been fine if we weren't manoeuvring a mobile sauna (a.k.a. a Nissan Micra without AC). It also took some time to get our festival passes and such, but since we were finally out of the car, and there was beer to drink and a sun to stand in the shadow of – it was all F I N E.

After setting up our tent we went to check out Jason Ringenberg who turned out to be some sort of Homer Simpson version of a country artist, so we left after three songs - unimpressed. The line up to Hultsfred 2005 got some very big bands in it, such as The Magic Numbers, The Mars Volta, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot and Mastodon, but the reason why I was so excited about the festival was all the Swedish bands playing. Not only did some of Sweden's biggest bands (The Hives, Millencolin, Moneybrother, etc) play, but lots of the best "indie" bands were also playing, much to my delight since I hardly get a chance to catch these bands live due to me living in London. The first Swedish band I saw at the festival was The Lovekevins who played on the Rookie stage where all unsigned bands get the chance to churn out their unsigned songs. The Lovekevins play harmless, melodic twee music, that's pretty well crafted and lovely to hear live, especially on a sunny afternoon next to a pretty lake. After this nice outdoors twee concert, I headed indoors for a super nice indoors twee concert – by the magnificent El Perro Del Mar, who makes great little songs that sort of twist and turn their way into the back of your head with no intention of leaving, but in a good way (sort of like having the best sex of your life, in a coffin). I think she might, and I hope she does, become really big all over the world. At this stage I started to get really drunk, but not so drunk that I could enjoy Le Tigre (now a sort of pastiche of their former selves) or Sean Price, but drunk enough to really like David Sandström Overdrive's gig and feel like I've taken ecstasy at M.I.A's blistering show. I wish I'll get another chance to see David Sandström though, sober.

On Friday I woke up with a hangover from hell that took half day to get rid of, and I was even feeling a bit ropey when The Acid House Kings turned their rather slow recorded material into a furious blast of melodic pop. When they played "Say yes I if you love me" and "We are The Acid House Kings" I thought I was going to explode (not from the hangover but from euphoria). It was a shame to start the day on such a high note, none of the rest of the bands I saw this day were as goods as The Acid House Kings were. I had quite high expectations on the two bands I saw next (Immortal Technique and Richard Buckner) but none of them were nearly half as good as I thought they were going to be. Frida Hyvönen, who has released one of this year's best albums, played at 8pm and she did fortunately deliver the beautiful set that I had hoped for. She did a support gig for The Concretes a while ago in London, but I missed her then, but thank god I turned up in time this a round (I must confess that I for some unknown reason dragged my girlfriend away from the gig halfway through). After piano-driven balladry, it was time for some modern beat-driven music – in the shape of former pop-soul queen Robyn. The first five songs she played were all from her new fresh and stunning album, and at this time of the show I thought I was witnessing one of the best concerts in my life, but then Robyn started doing older songs, songs that aren't nearly half as good as her new material. It was sort of like going out for a meal at a fancy restaurant, having a gorgeous dessert, and then end up with a bowl of brine for your main meal. I left the Robyn gig feeling very disappointed, and it might have been this frustration that ruined the next show for me, because I just didn't enjoy Mattias Alkberg BD at all. I love both his albums, and I thought this would be one of the highlights of the festival, but instead it was just boring. Seeing Snoop Dogg turn up really late to do a rubbish set didn't really do much to raise my spirits either. So what to do now after a day of rain with so many of my dreams being crushed? Going to see The Tough Alliance of course! TTA – maybe the most exciting band to come out of any Scandinavian country ever – would surely pick me up and make me want to party all night. But no, my favourite band would of course turn out to be appalling live. I sort of should have seen this coming, TTA have stirred up some controversy in Sweden by not singing live, but only to mime along to their tracks and often being drunk off their heads. I just couldn't dig their performance, perhaps I wasn't drunk enough, but it just came across as too absurd and weird for me. A damn shame!

On Saturday I proposed to my girlfriend so this was nothing but an excellent day, even though the previous day's many busted hopes continued with hyped Swedish band Vapnet playing songs that failed to convince. In almost every interview I've read about Vapnet it's been about how subversive they're by mixing lyrics with swear words (Jesus Christ!) and twee music. Too bad their music is so contrived and if it wasn't for them not being funny, I would have thought it was a joke. As I said previously, it was for the smaller bands that I went to Hultsfred, so on the last day of the festival at 6.30 I ventured to the biggest stage (Hawaii) for the first time, and got to see Sweden's own Håkan Hellström, who just must have ADD or something, charm everyone out of their pants. I was stupid not to stay for the whole set and instead go and see another of my favourite bands, The Hidden Cameras, once more prove that they're one of those bands, just like TTA I guess, that are better on record than live. After The Hidden Cameras I went for a rather long beer drinking session at the camping area with some friends, and got the opportunity to witness an exciting but unfortunate ruckus. After a while though I felt a bit guilty for not seeing any bands, so I grabbed my girl and went to see Loop Troop. What a great decision that was! I've seen Loop Troop play many times, but tonight they seemed to burn even brighter than they usually do. One of the three MCs, Supreme, appeared to emulate Håkan Hellström's behaviour by running left and right on the stage continuously, which was pretty fun to watch. It was most definitely the perfect ending for a splendid festival. Hope next year's line up will be as good, if not I guess I will have more time drinking beer in the sun with my girl and friends (the ones that haven't turned "too old", all of a sudden, that is).

Text by Simon Tagestam, pictures by David Robertson