I first became aware of Dark Times when I saw that they were supporting local-to-me act Gun Outfit in Oslo awhile back. That, in combination with their affiliation, ensured them a spot on my to-listen list. Actually, the latter would've been reason enough as Norway's current underground scene is simply ruling right now, but the Gun Outfit matchup is an interesting note because it implied a divergence from the Black Hole Crew's typically raw and brutal sound. Suspicions proved correct on listening: much like Gun Outfit, Dark Times are far more readily identifiable as an "indie" band -- more melody, less heavy -- but also very firmly rooted in punk/hardcore and easily matched with bands on either side of the spectrum. I've still yet to grab the band's self-titled cassette as I'm on a self-imposed record-buying moratorium (which is especially painful considering that I'm currently travelling abroad and seeing all sorts of stuff I could never ever find at home), but lucky enough, the band has made the entire thing available as a free download. No email required, just grab it. "Worlds away" in particular is a great example of the band at their best; a dark trudge brimming with resentment. Still raw like Okkultokrati and Drugged SS, but in a totally different way. I'm way into it.
In case you were unaware, this is the shit right now. "Coming from you" is the new single from Paper off their forthcoming album "Mischmasch" and it's out now as a 7" b/w the exclusive b-side "Meaningless". "Mischmasch" just got sent off for pressing and will be out in February.
Jenny Abrahamson's label was kind enough to send me a copy of her new single "Hard to come by" and it's quite good, so I'm happy to reshare it with you. Definitely taking cues from Björn Yttling's percussion-heavy production style for artists such as Lykke Li, but with more of the melodicism of Asha Ali, it's a nice catchy tune with an insistent refrain and a playful ambience. The official release of said single is February 2, the album follows on April 13.
is a new label out of Copenhagen, starting off a few digital EP releases this spring to be followed by vinyl later on down the road. Their first release: a stunner of a debut from electro artist Ticktock called "In the belly of the whale #1". Actually, I've only heard half of the release's 4 tracks, but I'm way way into it, so you get to grab one of them today and/or hit up Soundcloud for the other. I'm all about goth balladry as the sound of 2011, Ticktock fills that niche quite nicely. Get the rest on the official release date which is February 7.
Today is the release of Iceage's debut full-length "New brigade", available on vinyl via and CD/digital via , is the first great new release of 2011. Knowing that Peter Peter of The Sods/Sort Sol produced their self-titled 7" and that it was subsequently picked up by MRR as a band-to-watch should give you a good idea of where these kids are coming from, but just in case, let me elaborate: Iceage are a group of Danish kids in their late teens playing tense postpunk as if the last 30 years of music never happened. There's no "tryhard" feeling to it either, it really does sound like these dudes naively picked up instruments and the sounds you hear are exactly what came out. No false affection, no retro posturing, all natural rock'n'roll. "White rune" is my favorite tune from said album, but there's plenty more where that came from.
Mechanical Bird are a great, low-key Danish act who fall under the radar far too easily, despite my admiration of them in the past. They released a new EP back in late October, yet here I am only now just getting around to talking about it. January is supposed to be a quiet month, but no, I keep finding myself buried in more and more work, getting further behind. Anyhow, "Eternity and such" is a highlight of said EP, anchored by gently plucked banjo and metaphysical queries. The first note of the vocals always has me thinking that they'll go into some Simon & Garfunkel-style harmonies, but when the chorus actually does come in, the gentle female backing vox (by Sarah Hepburn?) give it a different feeling entirely, something a bit more twee. Otherwise, the song builds with a subtle kitchen sink approach, layering in additional little oddities with every iteration until the gathered multitudes applaud themselves at the end. Low-key for sure, but not worth passing up entirely.
Every moment has me falling further and further behind. The list of music that deserves coverage grows longer by the day and I can barely keep up, to say nothing of everything else I've got going on. One such title I've been meaning to talk up for awhile now is Mack Johansson's solo debut "New Sweden", so here's a great uneasy ballad from said disc. Perhaps a few of you will recognize Mack as the frontman for the very excellent Hyacinth House, one of my absolute favorite dark country acts and a band I've done my best to talk up for multiple years now, so no surprise that I find myself mentioning his work yet again. However, Mack's work under his own name is a slightly different beast: similar twang, but definitely far less dark/more overtly pop. Not necessarily a bad thing when done right, but a sidestep that took me a bit off-guard. So I'm approaching this cautiously, optimistic that it'll win me over eventually, much in the same way that Hyacinth House's last record "Black crows' country" took time to grow on. For now I'm favoring the slower, more gentle tunes such as this; we'll wait on the rest.
I haven't mentioned in awhile, mostly due to negligence, but also because their releases for the latter half of 2010 mostly left me underwhelmed. I expect them to provide me with a regular dose of the best classic hard rock Sweden has to offer, they gave me a mixed bag of stuff that failed to grab me. There are exceptions though, there always are: Mangrove's 2nd album "A distant dream of tomorrow" is a solid rocker, just like their last one. They aren't showing much progression between albums, but I don't mind at all -- I can always hang with recycled Black Sabbath riffage when done right, especially when they nail the catchy/pop aspect of that band so many other worshippers fail to realize. Great dual-overdub solo section at the end too, even better that it leads into a killer final version of the main hook.
Wait, stop the presses! I've just received a last-minute arrival for my best-of 2010 list! Okay, so maybe that's a bit hyperbolic of me, not to mention premature since I really did just get their CD over the weekend, but I really do love love love the sound of Finnish crooner Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä Raha. A bit of tango, a bit of Balkan folk and a crooning frontman who reminds me a bit of a young Rodney Dangerfield with the way he lets his hair and tie lay slightly askew; that adds up to something really great in my book. This is music for parties, dancing and drinking, as much as it is also fit for grand, weepy ballads, though we shall stick with the former for the time being. I am only left to wonder: is this the tip of the iceberg? Is there more contemporary Finnish tango I should be listening to? What are the other crucial records of the genre I should have?
There are exceptions to every rule. I consistently profess my grinchiness, yet I seem to keep posting Christmas music. However, please do keep in mind: for every exception there are dozens more that do not and will not ever make the cut. Anyhow, as much I don't care for the overwhelming majority of Christmas music, I will always appreciate songs of true devotion despite my status as a non-believer. Jingle bells and Santa Claus: no, absolutely not. Never. "Tell me the story of Jesus" -- yes, because that is what the season is supposed to be about and, as always, David Åhlén is unmatched when it comes to expressing his spirituality in a beautiful and heartfelt manner.
It's not going to displace King Diamond's "No presents for Christmas" as my #1 holiday tune, but Haust's "No Christmas" comes close. Finally, a tune from the Alternativ Julekalender worth reposting!
I don't mean to be one of those sites who leaves you bereft of fresh content during the holidays, at least not yet, but the truth of the matter is that I've actually been working too damn much. As in dayjob work; the stuff that pays the bills. So while I have a rather large backlog of news item waiting to be posted that will still have to wait until another day, let me share with you a new solo track from Martin Senter called "Elak". It's got the bounce of his Per Egland remix, but it's also got the same sort of indie/electronic quirk as that other solo track of his I posted awhile back. Either way, it's good stuff and it'll be interesting to see what he does with a full album and I do believe one is coming. Whether it'll beat EL-SD to the punch, I dunno, but I'm looking forward to both.
No, it's not the sort of thing I'd normally post, but out-and-proud Swedish tenor Rickard Söderberg has a new Christmas EP out now and proceeds go towards Heder, a national project in Sweden working against LGBT violence. That's something I can support. Head to Rickard's website to hear more and to send your friends a seasonably appropriate (and socially conscious) e-postcard: http://www.rickardsoderberg.se/
I have to restate it every year: I don't like Christmas music. But I do make exceptions and will have to admit that I am a fan of sleigh bells; the percussion implement, not the annoying indie duo du jour. Unrest is definitely the band that put the instrument to its best non-holiday associated use, but I'm not such a Scrooge that I can't enjoy a little holiday cheer as conjured by The Medalist's eponymous "Jullåtan"/"Christmas song". Said song was written for a charity show the band did last year at Annedalskyrkan (The Annedal Church) for Stadsmissionen benefiting the homeless of Göteborg, but it took them until very recently to actually capture it on tape. Glad they did too, because it really is a lovely little pop tune. It's also a good reminder that it's a perfect time to make a donation to your favorite local charity, whether it be with money or your time. 'Tis the season!