The Sound Project on 'Sub Gothenburg'
The Sound Projector reviews Fang Bomb's excellent "Gothenburg 08" comp companion "Sub-Gothenburg": https://www.thesoundprojector.com/2009/01/24/new-age-mach/
Tag: Reviews
Fatboy
In my bones
Fat State
Fatboy are one of few Swedish rockabilly bands that have been successful in reaching a broader audience. Their second album "In my bones" varies a lot; they start off playing straight rockabilly on the album's first single "Way down low" and then change to something more Sinatra-like in "Springtime". They are reminiscent of Weeping Willows at times too, especially in the way they combine rockabilly with a more alternative sound. They mix their music with jazz as well as pop, but still create a classic distinguished sound that tells the listener that this is Fatboy and nothing else... Even if it might look like it's just the usual stand-up bass supported trip back the 50's, there is enough creativity and effort put in for the album to avoid becoming nostalgic. The record is very well done and makes even a person like me that is not very interested in rockabilly to smile and sing along.
- Morten Frisch
PopMatters reviews Trentemøller 'Live in concert'
PopMatters on Trentemøller's new live EP: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/68771-trentemller-live-in-concert-ep
Dusted reviews 'Kaleidoscopic'
Dusted reviews the Lars Horntveth album "Kaleidoscopic": https://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4751
Antennas
Feeling feline tonight
Novoton
Antennas do not lend themselves easily to comparisons -- there are elements of the pop structures of Shout Out Louds, of the angular nature of Laakso's approach, among other such attempts to define their sound, but very few of these associations hold up as you move through the tracklist. "The collector" is kitschy-chic, like a Weeping Willows ballad hijacked by CDOASS; "Lies" has far more soul and funk in its composition than three Swedes should be able to manifest in song; "Youngbloods" channels a bit of Brit-rock suave before throwing itself recklessly down dance-punk avenues; "Upwardly mobile" could almost be a Hot Chip track... and yet "Feeling feline tonight" feels like a unified work, each track flowing easily into the next, despite the differences in tone and method. Novoton Records apparently can do absolutely no wrong: "Book of Norma" was my first 10 out of 10, postpunkers Paper and Pixies-style rockers Pascal both put out fantastic efforts in 2008, and "Feeling feline tonight", with its ability to combine 80s pop craftsmanship and angular indie rock with the interesting, reactionary elements of some 90s music (think Stone Roses and Pulp), only strengthens Novoton's position as one of the very best labels in Sweden. "Feeling feline tonight" is my first great surprise of the year.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Apoteket Apan
Det är något med den där ödsligheten
self-released
If Håkan Hellström were singing in a Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight-influenced indiepop band, he would sound like the Uppsala 7-piece Apoteket Apan (Swedish for "Pharmacy Monkey"). In their new self-released EP "Det är något med den där ödsligheten" Apoteket Apan demonstrate that they are a very able band that has got what it takes to write inspired tunes. Jonas Furberg has a charismatic, straightforward voice and the smart chord changes, the strong melodies, some well-chosen keyboard bleeps; glockenspiels and vocal harmonies create a very interesting palette. Apoteket Apan are almost there, but they should take more time to further enhance and develop these elements in order to stand out of the large pile of bands with a similar sound. In the meantime, they have made their whole catalogue available on their website as a free download and they definitely deserve your attention.
- Vasilis Panagiotopoulos
The Silent Ballet reviews 'The worries'
The Silent Ballet reviews the latest Mimas album "The worries": https://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2052/Default.aspx
Ungdomskulen go 'Bisexual' on March 2
Ungdomskulen's new album "Bisexual" is confirmed for March 2.
No love lost, David
The Silent Ballet reviews the Ass/Rickard Jäverling split 3" CD on Kning Disk: https://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/2072/Default.aspx
Musique Machine reviews 'Heat beats live'
Musique Machine on the new Mats/Morgan Band live disc "Heat beats live": https://www.musiquemachine.com/reviews/reviews_template.php?id=2093
They Live By Night
s/t
Razzia Records
The band They Live By Night split up in 2007, but are now back with the new self-titled album and it's definitely not a bad restart. The band has dropped some edge and guitars since "Art & wealth" to replace them with a more traditional pop-sound. This might not be something bleeding edge within its genre, considering the strong drums, whistling and the soft vocals. But it is without any doubt, very well done. "Catching up" is the first track of the album and it sets the energetic happy pop-mood that follows all the way through. At times it feels like a time-machine back to the Sweden's 90's pop-scene, for example, I find the song "Standing by the sea" similar to Staffan Hellstrand's 1993 hit "Lilla fågel blå". TLBN's new release is high-quality pop and it sticks to you, for a while.
- Morten Frisch
PopMatters gets hip to Katzenjammer
PopMatters (wisely) recommends Norwegian folk/pop group Katzenjammer: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/67391-katzenjammer-le-pop/
In case you forgot, I listed the band's debut album "Le pop" as one of my favorites for 2008.
Pfork on José González' new live EP
Pitchfork on José González' new "Live at Park Avenue" EP: https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/148386-jos-gonzlez-live-at-park-avenue-ep
The Animation
Everest
My Records
The Animation gives us typical English alternative rock from the late 80s to early 90s with its underground melancholic sound, first associated with London, nowadays with Göteborg. They sound fascinatingly as British as a band can sound, imagine a blend between Keane, just a bit of Radiohead going into the same sentiment as The Verve and with a small portion of the modern vibe, The Killers. "Everest" is their debut and what a debut then! It's a kickass start for these guys and it will probably grow international, parallel to The Hives. Professional, deep and gloomy could be the headline for this album which contains 11 songs, all worthwhile listening too. Highlights are, without any doubt, title track "Everest", "Overboard", and "Confessions"; where lead vocalist Johan Hasselblom sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. Really, this is a red thread coming back and forth in a few songs, but don't be confused because even so, this is more edgy, more! A promising band for Göteborg, shall we expect internationalism and commercialism? Maybe. However, The Animation, with their brilliant song techniques and great instrumental blend, is something for you out there who are classical alternative rock diggers; heads up for this album.
- Therese Buxfäldt
Pitchfork reviews 'The lilac time'
Pitchfork reviews Pelle Carlberg's most recent album "The lilac time": https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/148169-pelle-carlberg-the-lilac-time