Electronic acts have been trying their best to emulate machines, long since the early days of Kraftwerk and beyond, but Swedish electro act System takes it to the logical next level by actually employing speech synthesis to replace human vocals. The result is surprisingly effective in context, especially when the lyrics are sung from the chilling perspective of the machine -- "We will be here long after you are gone". Advanced synthesis balanced by analog synths, maintained by two human slaves. Or something like that; it's a dystopian ideal put to sound if ever there was one. "Inheritance" is System's latest single off the album "Circle of infinite radius", officially released on April 27 in a slightly different version with "more punch" along with the b-side "Against me".
Much in the same way that "The explorer" takes its time to fully flower, On Volcano's latest release took its time making a lasting impression, but once it did, it stuck with me. If you still haven't downloaded the "New blood EP", you're missing out: http://www.onvolcano.com/
As is so often the case, the best things in life are free.
Every time The Raveonettes put out an album, an all-too-familiar discourse emerges -- some critics think it is a step forward for the band, others posit the new record as further evidence of the band's stagnant sound and production, and a number of reviewers try and tie these disparate opinions together, claiming the newest effort as a creative evolution that maintains the duo's distinct vision. "Lust, lust, lust" was heralded as a triumph, lauded as an intriguing development of the band's unique mix of the influence of '60s surf rock and The Jesus and Mary Chain, and just as often dismissed as 'yet another Raveonettes album' that failed to demonstrate any discernible creative growth. A quick visit to Metacritic and you can see the same thing happening with "Raven in the grave", which surprises me. There are a few places where The Raveonettes stumble on this album (I will not even try and defend the adolescent, throwaway lyrics), but these missteps are easily overshadowed by the duo's exploration of new musical territory. Going against the grain, I'd say "Summer moon", a song that has inspired some very strange negative response in quite a few of the reviews I've read, is one of the album's highpoints, reminding me of the hauntingly reworked '50s pop of "Twin Peaks", and I think it could be argued that the influence of David Lynch and Angelo Badalementi doesn't stop there. The standout for me, however, is "Evil seeds", which channels the talents of The Raveonettes down avenues home to far more shadows than usual. I've always enjoyed the band, though their records don't often hold my attention for very long. In the case of "Raven in the grave", while it took me a few listens to really get into it, I still find myself enjoying some new aspect of a song or two with each listen. It may not rank very high on my best of 2011 list, but "Raven in the grave" has been a welcome companion the last few weeks, especially as spring seems to have finally arrived. - Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Swedish death metal act Tribulation will make their American live debut at the Rites of Darkness III festival in San Antonio, Texas on December 9-11. Other confirmed Scandinavians include Demigod, Interment, Behexen, Sargeist, Demonical, Anhedonist, Ondksapt, Strid and Valkyrja. Facebook appears to be the best place to keep up with future updates: http://www.facebook.com/RITESOFDARKNESS
Ja Ja Ja has confirmed their April showcase for the 28th and it will feature Hymns from Nineveh, Feldberg and Zebra & Snake as selected by The Line of best Fit: http://www.jajajamusic.com/news.php?id=62
Along with the latest from Three Seasons, the new album "Along with the tide" from Swedish act Ginger Trees reasserts as the reigning champs of Scandinavian heavy/progressive rock. However, while Ginger Trees most definitely do dabble in bluesy heaviness, it's their most expansive prog side that I find much more interesting -- in fact, I'd say they're at their best on songs like this where they start to sound like late-period Anathema. Ginger Trees doesn't go all-out for doom-laden atmosphere though, opting rather to tend towards feelings of yearning and melancholy. There's still a definite aura of heaviness though, much in the same way that Opeth sounded on "Damnation". If you dig those references, no doubt you'll dig this too.
Alright, finally some new music from Red Moon. Probably should've posted this weeks ago, but life/work has intervened and besides, it's generally for the best that I let things percolate a bit first. Anyhow, glad to have Katarina and Eva Thulin back on my speakers and likewise glad that they're continuing to put out superb dreampop as if they never took a 5-year break. "Suspicious" is my favorite tune from the duo's new EP "I am here", both the longest and heaviest they have on offer, though if you dig on this you'll surely dig the rest. All the major label-funded JAMC wannabees can't hold a candle to these ladies, never could.
Tomas Halberstad and 047 have just co-released a brand new single and since Tomas is such a nice, easygoing guy, I'm making him answer a few questions about said single. And oh yeah, the track is pretty good too!
So how did this collaboration come about? Whose idea was it in the first place?
This is what I think happened:
The guys in 047 decided they wanted to record another album, while they also wanted to introduce some vocal-elements into their music. Not wanting to sing themselves they decided upon doing some collaborations. They know me from Punk of Country and from my solo-stuff, and we have mutual friends, so they asked, and I accepted.
Did they give free reign to do whatever you wanted vocally? Did you have any other input on the song or what?
The song is a collaboration in its true sense.
I came to their studio with a verse and a chorus, chords and melody, and we recorded a track with just guitar and vocals. Then, they proceeded to produce the track. Decided what went where, changing a chord there, adding a melody here. Then I got the backtrack, wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocals.
The process was really enjoyable. So enjoyable, in fact, that we have decided to record two more tracks. (Where they'll end up, I don't know.)
What else are you up to? Got any other music of your own in the works?
Well, I've just released an album, giving homage to the surroundings of my childhood. It's instrumental, electronic and not for everyone. But, the tracks had been collecting dust for some time, so I thought it would be best to get them out there. That album is called "1989". I'm also working on my 'songs for the seasons', if you will. Having released "Summer Love AA" and "Autumn Fall AA", I still have Winter and Spring to record and release. The songs are done, the recordings aren't. And, to top it all off, I am working on the marathon project that is my second album. I am in the lyric-writing part of the process but I just can't seem to get my thoughts on paper. It's all about death. The basic tracks for the record are all recorded. It sounds like Tom Petty.
The Raveonettes
