Tag: Mp3s
Pitchfork has elected Disfear's new album "Live the storm" to their esteemed recommended list today, an accolade that's well-deserved, though I still consider Victims to be my favorite current Swedish d-beat act. I haven't heard their new record "Killer" yet (out now on Combat Rock Industry), so I figure this is a good opportunity to listen back to a classic track from Anti-Cimex instead. Now, I know that I really should be stretching way back to the 1980s for something off an early 7" such as 1983's "Raped ass", but I tend to prefer the early 90s stuff as it's a bit cleaner and more controlled. One thing I really enjoy about good d-beat is that it shares a stubborn single-mindedness akin to Krautrock in that they both endlessly cycle riffs until they're drilled deep into your head. Really, what else would you expect from a genre named after a drum beat? It thrives on relentless repetition. The recipe can be mixed up a bit, but that's what it boils down to. Dynamics? Overrated in this context. Keep it short and simple and that's all you need.
Anti-Cimex - Scandinavian jawbreaker part I
I take the time to listen to everything that gets sent my way. It's simultaneously the best and worst part of running this website because, while most everything I get is at least listenable, it's definitely not all good. So even though I try my best to remain eternally optimistic, I approach each new promo with a bit of trepidation. The ones I fear the most? That would be the singer/songwriters, no question about it. Whenever I see an artist name instead of a moniker, I get a sense of dread because the potential for awfulness is so, so high, especially when you consider how many of those types work so hard to convey their deepest, most heartfelt sincerity in everything they do. It makes their failure ultimately so much more depressing. Luckily, today's mp3 comes from an artist who defies expectations and is actually pretty darn good. Ulf Ljusberg is a Swedish artist with a gentle, fingerpicking style somewhere between the low-key melancholy of José González and the progressive folk of Nicolai Dunger. Sometimes he's a bit too AOR for my tastes, but there's no denying his talent and I find this particular track "Whatever was" to be one of the standouts on his new EP "Unleash". It's not just melodically pleasing, it's also got an interesting rhythmic thing that sets it apart, thanks to percussionist Tobias Thun. It's not the sort of thing that'll make your jaw drop, but it did make me sit up and take notice because it's different. There's an understated beauty to it and I appreciate that. It makes it all worthwhile.
Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
I don't post a lot of remix stuff on here because, generally speaking, I find the whole scene to be boring. Not only are they often totally unnecessary, the sheer numbers are so damn overwhelming that even when they are good, it's still incredibly hard to keep track of 'em. Unfortunately, as with today's track, I'm stymied by what I've been given so that's all I have to work with. On the other hand, this isn't always such a terrible burden as the mp3 I'm posting is actually quite good, it's more that it goes against my natural preference for album material. Anyhow, As In RebekkaMaria is the solo act of Lampshade frontwoman RebekkaMaria Andersson, a band that I'm quite fond of and have posted about often. Her debut album "Queen of France" finally comes out on March 17 and I believe that "She lion" is her latest single and that's where our song selection comes from. Despite the presence of big-name remix talents like SuperTroels and Kasper Bjørke, the best b-side on this single comes courtesy of yet another Dane, a gentleman by the name of Pato. He's the only one who bothers to take the material in a different direction, giving it a skittery synth hook and a fun polka beat. As for the other guys' unimaginative MOR electro tedium, why bother? That shit is dime-a-dozen. It's better to try and fail than not try at all.
RebekkaMaria - She lion (Pato sick hangover remix)
I first mentioned Northern Fields way back in October, but it took a few months for the debut EP to finally show up in my mailbox (and still a few weeks more for me to get around to writing about it). Regardless, my initial assessment still stands - Northern Fields are a great female-fronted indiepop act that's guaranteed to appeal to fans of all things twee, but more importantly, their songs are well-crafted enough to impress cynics like me. To further illustrate my point, consider guitarist Andreas Hagman's other band Celestial. They are good at what they do, but they are not a band I would ever choose to listen to on my own. Northern Fields bridge the gap and transcend genre expectations.
Northern Fields - Never take the beauty
Benea Reach are a frustrating band. One minute they'll neck-deep in metalcore cliché, but then all of a sudden they'll turn it around completely with a riff that'll blow your mind. You get both in the first 30 seconds of "New waters". It opens with a plodding stomp riff and then it opens up into pure epicness, replete with harsh screams and weirdo syncopation. It's those moments that redeem the band and elevate them above the rabble. Otherwise, it's nothing but tedium and generic e-chug Meshuggah riffs. They do the polyrhythmic thing well, but it's such a tired exercise at this point in time when you consider that "Destroy erase improve" came out over 10 years ago. There's so much uncharted melodic territory that's far more worthy of exploration. I hear it in bands like Mare (RIP) and Kayo Dot, but only in moments of Benea Reach. Perhaps it won't be until the next album when they completely abandon the mosh to embrace their progressive side. So much potential!
Benea Reach - New waters
Instead of our typical Göteborg-related post this week, we're taking an entirely different approach by asking an outsider to look in. Our guest: Sir Eric Beyond of Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-garde.
For the record, what city do you call home?
We call Stockholm our home.
So, when was the last time you were in Gbg?
We were in Gbg in December and played at Preview festival. It was arranged by the great label Kning Disk.
What's your impression of the city, its people and its music?
It's a great city for underground music, and the audience seems much more interested in alternative pop music than the Stockholm music scene. That is probably not true, but they seem happier.
Do you think that there's a particular Gbg sound? If so, how would you describe it?
Yeah there is something in the way of singing that lots of Gbg bands have. Some perfect mixture of stupidity, "I dont give a fuck-attitude" and pure joy. Gbg bands are more "real". We, Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-garde, the creme de la creme in Stockholm, take pride in being fake. Which is very real to us.
BUT, I think there are many more girls making interesting (and crap) music in Stockholm, I am more interested in listening to that. Damn, I wish that I was a girl...
When you think of bands/artists from Gbg, who is the first to come to mind?
The first Gbg artist that comes to my mind is Dishdishdance, she, Malin Dahlström had a brilliant performance with dancers at the festival where we played. She rocks. Don't know if she recorded anything. The two little songs on myspace wasn't even close to what I heard live. Totally different story.
Lastly, what exactly are you working on right now?
NOW I am building a four meter high catapult that I'm going to use for shooting crap on the parliament building in Stockholm in April, to protest against Swedish weapons export.
We are also makin new music that will be released maybe this year, maybe next.
Sir Eric Beyond and the Avant-garde - Democracy
Of all the Swedish postpunk acts that I have become acquainted with, Ståålfågel are by far the best example of what I consider to be "mutant pop". The fucked-up synthpunk sound of their 1980 self-titled debut is unrivaled. The use of drum machines give them a rigid, off-kilter sound similar to Devo, but with a different, angrier energy. Devo is fun, Ståålfågel not so much. This particular track I've posted today is awfully similar to The Bear Quartet's "The supremes" in that it starts off with near-unintelligible screaming before kicking off into the song. The BQ track is ultimately far, far harsher, but those first few seconds share an eerie resemblance. I doubt it's intentional, but it's definitely the first thing I thought of when I heard it. Anyhow, it's a great track so if you're even remotely curious about Swedish postpunk, I strongly suggest you check it out.
Ståålfågel - Något senare...
Peloton is an international jazz combo with members hailing from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. However, it's not their citizenship that caught my attention, it's the inclusion of analog synth in their setup. Now they never quite achieve the sort of "Switched on Bach" or ELP-level of wacky virtuosity that I was kinda hoping for, but it's still cool because they're exploring a timbre I don't often hear in this sort of music. The bass is all synth too, another unusual touch. This particular track I'm featuring today is probably the biggest barnburner on their album "Selected works" as most of their pieces tend towards the languid and spacious. It doesn't adequately demonstrate their range, but it should at least pique your interest. Personally, I'm content just listening to that drummer go off. Hear more at myspace: https://www.myspace.com/pelotonjazz
Peloton - Nozal
If you haven't seen the video for Ljudbilden & Piloten's "Wedding" yet, do it now. Don't worry, I'll wait for you. Now tell me, is that not the perfect marriage of music and image? (no pun intended) I don't think I will ever hear this song again without thinking of those women smiling and laughing. It's such a warm, beautiful experience, so soothing and joyous. Near perfect, even.
If you enjoyed the blissed out drone of Tobias Hellkvist as I have posted before, you will love this. If you appreciate the wordless vocals of I'm From Barcelona then yes, you'll probably like this too. If you love life, this is for you.
Ljudbilden & Piloten - Wedding
The new Montys Loco album is a stunner, especially lead single/title track "Farewell Mr Happy". The duo's mix of loops + samples has gotten more complex, but they also retain an elegant minimalism not too far off from Björn Yttling's best work. Guitars? Bah, who needs 'em. There's a weird industrial vibe too, something that reminds me a bit of Chris Connelly's early solo material. At least that's the only comparison that comes to mind because, as far as contemporaries go, there are none. It's pop in essence, to be sure, but it also has those pounding drums and a raw, almost sinister air. The longer the song goes on, the more is revealed, the angrier it gets. Definitely not love, no way. Also: definitely one of the year's best releases so far.
Montys Loco - Farwell Mr Happy
This is my "Nosy Parker" - a six year-old border collie. He's named after a street in Berkeley and was a last-minute rescue from the animal shelter in Sacramento. As is the nature with most BCs, Parker has his nose in everything and demands the be the center of attention.
Posted below is "Nosy Parker" from The Tremolo Beer Gut. They're a retro instumental act from Denmark with a new album called "Nous sommes The Tremolo Beer Gut. Qui le fuck êtes-vous?" out now on Crunchy Frog. Like many of their labelmates (Junior Senior, Powersolo, etc.), there's a definite kitsch-factor to what they do, but they do it well enough to deflect most criticism. However, as an instrumental act, I'd have to say that their crossover potential is severely diminished. This here is a fun little track with a hot guitar solo, but I'm gonna have to say that I prefer my own Parker overall.
The Tremolo Beer Gut - Nosy Parker
Saturdays in 2008 are devoted to the music of Göteborg. This week's guest: Joachim Nordwall aka The Idealist, head of iDEAL Recordings, also a member of The Skull Defekts. When I think about the new sound of Gbg, iDEAL Recordings and their contemporaries such as Kning Disk are exactly what come to mind. This is where art and music intersect to create something bold and innovative, something that hasn't been done before.
So how long have you lived in Gbg?
I've had Gothenburg as my base since 1996, but lived in London for a while in 1998 and traveled a lot.
Where did you move from and why?
I had lived in Paris and Umeå in the north of Sweden. Paris was great and I still see it as home when I go there and Umeå was kind of a disaster, so after one year of studies up there I needed to go south again and somehow ended up here. I didn't intend to stay for long, but accidentaly got stuck. It's quite easy to fall in love with Gothenburg.
Do you think that there's a particular Gbg sound or feeling? How would you describe it?
Yeah sure. Gbg is friendly, rough sometimes and very democratic. It's a harbour town which and the second biggest in Sweden, similar in size to Oslo I guess.
What advantages does living in Gbg offer artists? Disadvantages?
The music scene has always been pretty good here, especially punk and rock, but also experimental stuff and dance. There's clubs to play, plenty of rehearsal space and we fool ourselves that we are close to Europe since we're only a few hours north from Copenhagen. Berlin is close too, you can drive there in ten hours if you're fast and sober. Disadvantages are that Gbg is small, not much new blood is coming in and the art scene sucks. We have very few good galleries here even though some known international visual artists live here. But then again, there's plenty of bars and illegal techno parties going down. Good ways to get loaded.
I know you work with a lot of scene veterans, but who do you think are the up-and-coming talents in Gbg right now?
Sure - there are a few of course. I like Pistol Disco - a duo doing Suicide-like dark electronic crack pop. The Extended Head seems to be doing some great stuff, his latest demo was a killer old skool dance punk thing. Other than that, some of my fav acts are from here. Like Studio, José González, Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words and Contemporary Punk Unit.
Lastly, how has the city inspired you? Are there are any particular pieces from The Skull Defekts/The Idealist/iDEAL that provide a good sonic reflection of the city?
I am finding inspiration in loads of places. I live here, but travel a lot so my inspiration is honestly coming more from other places. Home is where I rest and work. I rarely lift my head to actually enjoy the view if you know what I mean. Gbg is a good place to be left alone and I leave it alone too hahaha. The Skull Defekts are recording and rehearsing in a hidden part of the hospital here which is of course extremely inspirational. We're there at night time only and it's a rather weird atmosphere up there. It's hard to name something but if I would choose one GBG anthem on iDEAL I'd probably name Henrik Rylander's "Traditional arrangements of feedback" but maybe more that Henrik is very Gothenburg to me than an actual sound to the damn thing.
Unfortunately, you'll have to go elsewhere to hear that Rylander piece, as Joachim specifically requested that The Skull Defekts accompany this post. And really, who am I to argue? Especially when the selected track is so good.
The Skull Defekts - The secret
Tomorrow: Niccokick play a record release party for their new record "The good times we shared, were they so bad?" at Debaser, Malmö as part of the It's a Trap! Clubnight series. Today: a song from their 2004 debut "Awake from the dead, my dear best friend". When Niccokick are at their best, as they are on this song, they are hysterical and reckless. As with Håkan Hellström's top-shelf material, the euphoria of being alive is almost too much to take and they can't help but shout it out loud. "Give me sex, give me drugs, give me rock'n'roll!" I want everything that makes life worth living and I want it now! It's about being young and not giving a fuck. Go wild! Get loaded, fall in love, live for the moment! As far as Friday-night anthems go, this is near-perfect.
Niccokick - Love & neon lights
The first time I put on Moto Boy in my house, my wife complained that it sounded like maudlin teenage poetry. Too affected to be taken seriously. She couldn't get into it at all, saying it was too much like the kind of thing she'd listen to at age 14 and cry over alone in her bedroom. The funny thing is, it's those exact same characteristics that I enjoy. Yes, Moto Boy is schmaltzy and perhaps even a bit cloying, but he's also glammy and fun, not to mention a fantastic singer. I appreciate him in much the same way that I appreciate The Ark, which makes perfect sense considering that he recently filled in for guitarist Jepson on tour. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, yes, I am a 14-year old girl and I want a Moto Boy poster to put on my ceiling so I can lie in bed and moon at him. Is that so wrong?
PS, upon further listens, my wife has decided to change her mind. He's in no danger of replacing her current crush on Skwisgaar Skwigelf (hmpf!), but at least she does rate him.
Moto Boy - Beat heart
"And at Belle Bed Inn, I told you" by The Bombhappies is a fantastic song that, to me, hearkens back to early REM. It's in the guitars, the vocals, everything. There's a wistful feeling in common as well, though that's far less unusual for a Swedish band. Regardless, it's more than just mere imitation and that's what makes it so good. They take the hallmarks of that mid-80s college rock sound and make it fresh. I'm all for pushing the boundaries of indierock, but sometimes that back-to-basics sound is all I need. The instrumentation of guitar/bass/drums, that standard rock'n'roll formula, is timeless when done right. Good songs are forever and I bet this will sound just as good 10 years from now as it does today.
The Bombhappies - And at Belle Bed Inn, I told you