The holiday season is upon us, so perhaps ”shorts” would have been a more fitting title for today’s post? Going to Jutland on Monday for 5 days, so don’t check for any updates next week; consider this a service message for the three of you, who occasionally drop by to see if anything is happening!
What a pathetic effort by the Danish side against Japan yesterday. Everyone (in Denmark at least) were excited 8 months ago when Denmark qualified for the World Cup, and then this was all we got! Come on guys! Heroes die with their boots on and not with their pants down bending over.
I’ve listened to the new Kent album En Plats I Solen more than a half-dozen times, and yet I’m still not sure what to make of it. As much as I want to like the album, I just can’t help feeling somewhat indifferent when listening to it.
When you name your band Girls on Film your influences should be crystal clear to everyone who grew up during the eighties. And nice first single Highschool Dance by this new Danish trio is indeed a rather new romantic inspired piece, reminding me quite a lot of Superheroes.
+ Highschool Dance
My Name Is Legion shares their remix of the Sleep Party People track I’m Not Human At All. As always I like the original a lot better than the remix.
+ I’m Not Human At All (My Name Is Legion remix)
+ I’m Not Human At All
June 25, 2010
June 23, 2010
Shorties...
Hopefully I'm not over interpreting the update just posted at Loney Dear’s Facebook page, but it certainly looks as if the band’s sixth album is almost finished?
+ I Am John
mp3hugger calls Heart Stab by Champagne Riot “this year’s sleeper anthem” for the Ibizan dance floors. And don't forget to download the track. It's awesome!
Register and download (for free of course) two new tracks by lastbandalive.
Den Dag by new Danish band Chadore has been getting a couple of real fine reviews over at BandBase.dk. I know the lyrics are in Danish and thus making the song less appealing to most people, but man is it catchy!
+ Den Dag
+ I Am John
mp3hugger calls Heart Stab by Champagne Riot “this year’s sleeper anthem” for the Ibizan dance floors. And don't forget to download the track. It's awesome!
Register and download (for free of course) two new tracks by lastbandalive.
Den Dag by new Danish band Chadore has been getting a couple of real fine reviews over at BandBase.dk. I know the lyrics are in Danish and thus making the song less appealing to most people, but man is it catchy!
+ Den Dag
June 22, 2010
When will I ever learn...?
Yesterday was pure torture, as I was tired beyond belief. Had far too much to drink and went to bed far too late Saturday evening, so yesterday my age once again showed its ugly face. The partying and drinking wasn’t a direct result of Denmark’s trashing of Cameroun at the World Cup (would like to think of it as “trashing”, though a “fortunate win” is the somewhat more accurate way to describe it), but simply because I spent a real fun evening with great company. And we all know how nights like those can evolve, and Saturday night it certainly did! But today I’m in a much better shape, so time to re-group and get back to blogging.
The new Spleen United single Sunset to Sunset can now be streamed at Myspace. I've always been a fan of Spleen United and therefore really hate to write this, but I do think that the new song is one of the band's weakest efforts to date.
Another new track streaming at Myspace is Caves and Light by The William Blakes. It’s the first track published from the band’s forthcoming (and third) album The Way of the Warrior, which will be out on September 13. Perhaps sounding a bit more “polished” than previous stuff released by the band, but more importantly the band certainly hasn't forgotten how to craft a great pop song!
The jury is still out on the new (and free to download) track Here Sometimes by Blonde Redhead. It’s not bad at all, but not really standing out either in the way I hoped it would (perhaps even equaling or beating 23, which is downright fantastic).
+ 23
Found this track by Elk City in the mailbox last week and it’s been on frequent rotation ever since. From the album House of Tongues which was released by Friendly Fire Recordings on June 1.
+ Nine O’clock in France
Another really nice one from the mailbox is the dark and haunting You Can’t Be Alone by All Saints Day. Not yet taken from any release, but simply mailed out to help promoting the duo’s forthcoming 7” release It’ll Come Around. Personally I like "Alone" a lot better than the track they’ve picked as the lead track on the single!
+ You Can’t Be Alone
The new Spleen United single Sunset to Sunset can now be streamed at Myspace. I've always been a fan of Spleen United and therefore really hate to write this, but I do think that the new song is one of the band's weakest efforts to date.
Another new track streaming at Myspace is Caves and Light by The William Blakes. It’s the first track published from the band’s forthcoming (and third) album The Way of the Warrior, which will be out on September 13. Perhaps sounding a bit more “polished” than previous stuff released by the band, but more importantly the band certainly hasn't forgotten how to craft a great pop song!
The jury is still out on the new (and free to download) track Here Sometimes by Blonde Redhead. It’s not bad at all, but not really standing out either in the way I hoped it would (perhaps even equaling or beating 23, which is downright fantastic).
+ 23
Found this track by Elk City in the mailbox last week and it’s been on frequent rotation ever since. From the album House of Tongues which was released by Friendly Fire Recordings on June 1.
+ Nine O’clock in France
Another really nice one from the mailbox is the dark and haunting You Can’t Be Alone by All Saints Day. Not yet taken from any release, but simply mailed out to help promoting the duo’s forthcoming 7” release It’ll Come Around. Personally I like "Alone" a lot better than the track they’ve picked as the lead track on the single!
+ You Can’t Be Alone
June 18, 2010
On air...
"Look at me I’m"…sitting right here by the computer. Yes. I deliberately changed (removed) the colors, so prevent anyone from seeing how grey my beard is! Plans tonight include listening to some music, reading some mails, watch some music videos and of course check the score in the England vs. Algeria game.Have read so much about the video for Say No To Love (the new single by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart in case you didn't know) that I have to watch it myself...just like the song itself the video is really lovely, and repeating myself is rather tempting as I'm once again wondering if the band can do anything wrong?
+ Say No To Love
A deluxe edition of Propaganda’s epic debut album A Secret Wish will be out on August 2 (according to the promo mail, though various online shops list the time of release as mid-July) including "the original album plus all of the cassette/vinyl-only mixes on Disc One, complete with guest appearances from David Sylvian, Steve Howe (Yes) and Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17). Disc Two adds a wealth of bonus material including the complete, unexpurgated 20-minute cassette mix of Duel, Trevor Horn's previously unreleased Thousand Eyes... remix of Dr. Mabuse, a works-in-progress version of The Chase and ten-minute 12" mixes of Frozen Faces and p:Machinery". This is really awesome news, as this was one of the albums of my teenage years and I simply cannot wait to get my hands on the double CD box.
As always I'm living in a world of my own, so I was completely unaware of that new single Sunset to Sunset by Spleen United is out on Monday (iTunes).
Not much happening really..........
June 17, 2010
From the mailbox...
Yeah I know that I’m not all that creative, when it comes to naming blog posts. Actually I’m not very creative in general (be it blog posts, be it life, be it whatever), so this is hardly a surprise. Though just for the fun of it I am trying a completely different recipe today by turning the mailbox upside down and checking out the oldest mails first rather than the newest. And some of them are indeed rather old dating back to December last year (I promise not to post any x-mas tunes!), but amazingly most download links still seem to be working. So the songs that I am (hopefully) going to post today will probably be old news to everyone but me…
+ Clare and the Reasons - That's All (Genesis cover)
The original version is a whole lot better I know, but so far this is the only song I've found that is worth giving a listen.
+ The Foreign Resort - Lost My Way
Flashing my ignorance here I suppose, but I had never heard of this Danish band before (happens more often than I like to think about)! The debut album Offshore was released in Denmark in February last year and saw a US release exactly one year later.
When reading the older mails I can see (and hear) that several of the promoted artists are not as new to me as I hoped they'd be. I know I lack discipline when it comes to deleting mails, but some artists/promoters seem to be sending mails at every given opportunity (xx weeks prior to release of album - at time of album release – when single/video is out – when tour kicks off - etc.), thus jamming my inbox and making them (almost) impossible to miss. But that's probably the whole idea, right?
I just love mails starting like this: “Thank you for your continued support of band I’ve never heard of”. You're more than welcome!
+ Clare and the Reasons - That's All (Genesis cover)
The original version is a whole lot better I know, but so far this is the only song I've found that is worth giving a listen.
+ The Foreign Resort - Lost My Way
Flashing my ignorance here I suppose, but I had never heard of this Danish band before (happens more often than I like to think about)! The debut album Offshore was released in Denmark in February last year and saw a US release exactly one year later.
When reading the older mails I can see (and hear) that several of the promoted artists are not as new to me as I hoped they'd be. I know I lack discipline when it comes to deleting mails, but some artists/promoters seem to be sending mails at every given opportunity (xx weeks prior to release of album - at time of album release – when single/video is out – when tour kicks off - etc.), thus jamming my inbox and making them (almost) impossible to miss. But that's probably the whole idea, right?
I just love mails starting like this: “Thank you for your continued support of band I’ve never heard of”. You're more than welcome!
June 16, 2010
From the mailbox...
Monster & The Beast is a new (though not brand new as claimed in the mail) track by Sad Day for Puppets taken from the band’s second album Pale Silver & Shiny Gold, which will be out on September 1. Somewhat noisy, really catchy, featuring a flute and with a female vocalist sounding like...?...someone please help me out on that one!
+ Monster & The Beast
Daybehavior shares this track taken from the band’s forthcoming album, which I’m told will be the band’s third! Reading the mail I somehow got the impression that I ought to be familiar with the band, but cannot say I am (or was at least). But the chilly, electronic, melancholic and dreamy City Lights could very well change that.
+ City Lights
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve posted this, but I’ll never (as in; no way, never, ever!) be a remix enthusiast. Of course it does happen that a remix breathes new life into a song, but those remixes are few and far between. Sadly most remixes are pretty close to unlistenable or (if I’m generous) plain boring and make me wonder why anyone thought them necessary. To exemplify what I’m trying to state, I’ve posted this awful remix of Korallreven’s Truest Faith, which I suggest you compare to the original (and absolutely lovely) version. If you somehow are capable of hearing (understanding, whatever), what I’m obviously unable to, do not hesitate to post a comment. I promise I’ll try my utmost to be open-minded!
+ Truest Faith
+ The Truest Faith (Ghostape Remix)
+ Monster & The Beast
Daybehavior shares this track taken from the band’s forthcoming album, which I’m told will be the band’s third! Reading the mail I somehow got the impression that I ought to be familiar with the band, but cannot say I am (or was at least). But the chilly, electronic, melancholic and dreamy City Lights could very well change that.
+ City Lights
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve posted this, but I’ll never (as in; no way, never, ever!) be a remix enthusiast. Of course it does happen that a remix breathes new life into a song, but those remixes are few and far between. Sadly most remixes are pretty close to unlistenable or (if I’m generous) plain boring and make me wonder why anyone thought them necessary. To exemplify what I’m trying to state, I’ve posted this awful remix of Korallreven’s Truest Faith, which I suggest you compare to the original (and absolutely lovely) version. If you somehow are capable of hearing (understanding, whatever), what I’m obviously unable to, do not hesitate to post a comment. I promise I’ll try my utmost to be open-minded!
+ Truest Faith
+ The Truest Faith (Ghostape Remix)
June 15, 2010
Bits and pieces...
Super cool one-man project Under Electric Light tweeted yesterday that the band has finished the recordings of an album. As always the essential information on when and how the album will be released is missing, but I do suspect that there is going to be a steady flow of updates once the mixing and mastering is done.
+ Wintertime
+ This Moment
When updated the Champagne Riot blog is always a good and fun read. What are the odds of Lady Gaga reading this post and the additional odds of her actually accepting the offer? Though she really should, as every song ever written by Champagne Riot is light-years better than anything she has put her name on!
+ Ingrid Bergman
+ The Champagne Anthem
A babysitter has been found, so time to book those Ginger Ninja tickets!!
As mentioned as few times I decided not to attend this year’s Start! festival. Unfortunately it seems like I wasn’t the only one to make that decision, which has caused Mr. Ardahl to ask why the festival is in such poor health!
Next in line of “exchange your email for a download” offers is the new single Fever Rising by them:youth. I'm afraid it's somewhat disappointing compared to previous outputs by the band.
+ Wintertime
+ This Moment
When updated the Champagne Riot blog is always a good and fun read. What are the odds of Lady Gaga reading this post and the additional odds of her actually accepting the offer? Though she really should, as every song ever written by Champagne Riot is light-years better than anything she has put her name on!
+ Ingrid Bergman
+ The Champagne Anthem
A babysitter has been found, so time to book those Ginger Ninja tickets!!
As mentioned as few times I decided not to attend this year’s Start! festival. Unfortunately it seems like I wasn’t the only one to make that decision, which has caused Mr. Ardahl to ask why the festival is in such poor health!
Next in line of “exchange your email for a download” offers is the new single Fever Rising by them:youth. I'm afraid it's somewhat disappointing compared to previous outputs by the band.
June 14, 2010
Kent...
This news came right out of the blue (or perhaps I haven’t paid enough attention in class?), but seems like Kent will be releasing a new album on June 30 (when I’m away on holiday – perfect timing – NOT!). To be named En Plats i Solen and double a-side single Gamla Ullevi/Skisser För Sommaren is out today. Unlike the previous two albums En Plats i Solen will not be produced by Joshua, but if you weren’t all that crazy about Tillbaka Till Samtiden and Röd this isn't necessarily the same as brilliant news, as the two new tracks indicate that the band’s fascination for the electronic (though not as dark as on the predecessors) and disco inspired sound continues.
June 11, 2010
Being national...
The National will be at KB-Hallen (Copenhagen) on November 11. I’m still trying to figure out why everyone seems to be so high on this band, but I’ve bought a ticket nonetheless. And if Frank is right (he usually is) we should be in for something awesome.
+ Bloodbuzz Ohio
The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins today (surprise, surprise) and as always I dream of the Danes conquering the world. But if I just this one try to be realistic and take off those red and white colored glasses, it should be rather obvious that Denmark’s chances of making an impact are close to zero. But didn’t we think exactly the same in 1992 and 1998?
New album Into The Great Wide Yonder by Trentemøller was released last week (in Denmark) to rave reviews. Here’s one more artist, whose popularity I don’t quite get. This remix of Sycamore Feeling is brilliant, but the rest…???
+ Sycamore Feeling (Trentemøller Remix Edit)
Efterklang and Turboweekend have decided to swap remixes.
+ Full Moon (Turboweekend remix)
+ Sweet Jezebel (Efterklang remix)
Here’s a track I probably would have posted no matter how bad it was, as Illinois quartet Elsinore share its name with the English name of my hometown. As it turned out the song is a pretty decent pop rock piece, which to be honest is quite a relief!
+ Yes Yes Yes
+ Bloodbuzz Ohio
The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins today (surprise, surprise) and as always I dream of the Danes conquering the world. But if I just this one try to be realistic and take off those red and white colored glasses, it should be rather obvious that Denmark’s chances of making an impact are close to zero. But didn’t we think exactly the same in 1992 and 1998?
New album Into The Great Wide Yonder by Trentemøller was released last week (in Denmark) to rave reviews. Here’s one more artist, whose popularity I don’t quite get. This remix of Sycamore Feeling is brilliant, but the rest…???
+ Sycamore Feeling (Trentemøller Remix Edit)
Efterklang and Turboweekend have decided to swap remixes.
+ Full Moon (Turboweekend remix)
+ Sweet Jezebel (Efterklang remix)
Here’s a track I probably would have posted no matter how bad it was, as Illinois quartet Elsinore share its name with the English name of my hometown. As it turned out the song is a pretty decent pop rock piece, which to be honest is quite a relief!
+ Yes Yes Yes
June 9, 2010
The Bible - Mahalia...
The best things in life...
Found the track The Best Things In Life by The Silver Seas in the mailbox a while ago and wanted to include it in one of those “mailbox cleaning” posts. But I wasn’t sure if it was OK to post it, so I opted not to. What I didn’t know back then was that it had been AOL Spinner song of the day back in April, so I doubt posting it would have created any problems. At least I hope not, as time has come to (finally) post this really catchy pop song. Taken from the forthcoming album Chateau Revenge (out on July 6).
+ The Best Things In Life
Little Lost Son by Danish folk/singer-songwriter Thomas Baz has been picked as BandBase track of the day. I featured Mr. Baz and his fine songs in a couple of posts in November 2008 and back then I was told that he was working on an album to be named The Nurse and The Knife Thrower. Apparently plans have changed somewhat, as the latest Myspace update reveals that it will be an EP release instead. No words on when and how though. Mr. Baz and his band The Bayou Four will be playing at Start! festival sometime around midnight tomorrow.
+ Little Lost Son
Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend said festival this year, as I’ve been away from home far too many nights the past months. The ever returning dilemma of a father and husband…dammit!
60 seconds of new track History of Modern by OMD can now be streamed at the band’s Myspace page. Not much I admit, but enough to be impressed and plenty to (once again) make me remember those “good old days.
Cannot say that I’ve ever heard of Sweden’s Dear Martin, but this electronic pop piece that has fallen into my lap via the mailbox is quite a gem. Seriously need to check out if other recordings by the artist are equally great.
+ Sundrenched Season
And last but not least. Check this beautiful video by Mark Tholander for the Jonas Villumsen solo track Piteraq (20 Blå Celcius).
+ The Best Things In Life
Little Lost Son by Danish folk/singer-songwriter Thomas Baz has been picked as BandBase track of the day. I featured Mr. Baz and his fine songs in a couple of posts in November 2008 and back then I was told that he was working on an album to be named The Nurse and The Knife Thrower. Apparently plans have changed somewhat, as the latest Myspace update reveals that it will be an EP release instead. No words on when and how though. Mr. Baz and his band The Bayou Four will be playing at Start! festival sometime around midnight tomorrow.
+ Little Lost Son
Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend said festival this year, as I’ve been away from home far too many nights the past months. The ever returning dilemma of a father and husband…dammit!
60 seconds of new track History of Modern by OMD can now be streamed at the band’s Myspace page. Not much I admit, but enough to be impressed and plenty to (once again) make me remember those “good old days.
Cannot say that I’ve ever heard of Sweden’s Dear Martin, but this electronic pop piece that has fallen into my lap via the mailbox is quite a gem. Seriously need to check out if other recordings by the artist are equally great.
+ Sundrenched Season
And last but not least. Check this beautiful video by Mark Tholander for the Jonas Villumsen solo track Piteraq (20 Blå Celcius).
June 8, 2010
Ginger, stars, pains and bubblegum...
Ginger Ninja will be in town on October 1 playing at Toldkammeret. This is great news of course, as this is one terrific live band, but they've picked a rather bad date, as my wife will be going out that evening. Thus making the honorable job of looking after the kiddos all mine. Guess this means that I’ll have to spend some hard earned cash on a babysitter, as I really don’t want to miss the opportunity to see the boys performing live again.+ OnePlusOneIsThree
Chromewaves posted new track Fixed by Stars last week and my initial reaction when giving it a listen was disappointment. The problem is that I cannot help comparing every new song by the band to Elevator Love Letter, which really isn’t fair as most songs (not just ones by the band, but songs in general) pale in comparison. And Fixed is actually a pretty good song in its own right and should be judged as such.
+ Fixed
New 7” single Say No To Love by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is out today on Slumberland Records. This is yet another amazing release by the New Yorkers, which has sort of left me wondering if the band is actually capable of doing anything wrong?
+ Say No To Love
Sounding equally fuzzy and almost as great is the new single Caroline’s Radio by Bubblegum Lemonade, which is out now on Matinée Recordings as a 7” single.
+ Caroline’s Radio
On the radio this morning...
New single Facing The Sun by Danish quartet Treefight For Sunlight has been getting massive radio airplay recently. And no wonder! It's seriously cool...
Every morning when the girls and I are having breakfast the radio is on, and from time to time it does happen that some really fine stuff is aired, thus helping to make the start of the day a good one. The “On the radio this morning” posts are my humble attempt to make your start a good one as well!
Every morning when the girls and I are having breakfast the radio is on, and from time to time it does happen that some really fine stuff is aired, thus helping to make the start of the day a good one. The “On the radio this morning” posts are my humble attempt to make your start a good one as well!
June 3, 2010
All smiles...
Not promising anything, but will try to be less grumpy today. I do enjoy being grumpy though!
Sink/Let It Sway is the first promo track of the forthcoming Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin album Let It Sway (available for preordering now) and it’s pretty darn good! OK! Not as fabulous as the glorious Oregon Girl, but still plenty to make one starve for more!
+ Sink/Let It Sway
+ Oregon Girl
Chris posted the monthly new track by Viola a few days ago and today I'm going to do the same. Why? Because the sun is shining, thus making me hope that it will be summer after all! And the upbeat Popsicle Summer really makes one long for the summer and therefore is a lot more listenable when there’s an outside chance of the summer actually being on its way!
+ Popsicle Summer
Roque (of Cloudberry Records) interviews Danielle, who was one of the organizers of Copenhagen Popfest. As you may recall, I thought that the Popfest was a smash and apparently chances are good that there will be a 2011 edition as well. That’s good news if you ask me! And here's to hoping that Roque will be able to go next year!
Hopefully it's no secret that the aforementioned Cloudberry Records is a true treasury, when you’re in need of a good pop song. Here's a perfect example taken from a recent release.
+ The Sunbathers – Sea Change
And to all of you, who are feeling ignored. I currently have 2,842 mails in my inbox, so I do have plenty of work ahead of me…
Sink/Let It Sway is the first promo track of the forthcoming Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin album Let It Sway (available for preordering now) and it’s pretty darn good! OK! Not as fabulous as the glorious Oregon Girl, but still plenty to make one starve for more!
+ Sink/Let It Sway
+ Oregon Girl
Chris posted the monthly new track by Viola a few days ago and today I'm going to do the same. Why? Because the sun is shining, thus making me hope that it will be summer after all! And the upbeat Popsicle Summer really makes one long for the summer and therefore is a lot more listenable when there’s an outside chance of the summer actually being on its way!
+ Popsicle Summer
Roque (of Cloudberry Records) interviews Danielle, who was one of the organizers of Copenhagen Popfest. As you may recall, I thought that the Popfest was a smash and apparently chances are good that there will be a 2011 edition as well. That’s good news if you ask me! And here's to hoping that Roque will be able to go next year!
Hopefully it's no secret that the aforementioned Cloudberry Records is a true treasury, when you’re in need of a good pop song. Here's a perfect example taken from a recent release.
+ The Sunbathers – Sea Change
And to all of you, who are feeling ignored. I currently have 2,842 mails in my inbox, so I do have plenty of work ahead of me…
June 2, 2010
Whining...
I miss the good ol' version of Myspace. I mean the really old version. Probably no one remembers it anymore, but back then you could download (and deeplink to) songs and the search function was really useful, having a number of parameters. Especially my hunt for “new indie bands from Denmark” was quite a success and helped me find several interesting bands (e.g. Kind of girl, Anamia and Northern Portrait just to mention a few). But that was the old version and sadly today’s version is really nothing but a waste of time. Some pages could probably be called alternatives, but so far none has really appealed to me or offered what I was looking for. So finding new music has become more and more difficult and today my only source for finding new music has (almost) been narrowed down to the infamous inbox. As mentioned numerous times before I receive bags of mails everyday and once in a while I do have the luck of finding some good stuff (usually after hours of frustration). But sadly (though very logically) most mails are sent to zillions of other blogs thus making it virtually impossible to be the first to cover anything. Plus it means that the bands will have to find me and not the other way around, which actually used to be the fun part of it all. Not that being first means all that much. However being different does feel quite good and definitely something that is worth striving for. But right now it’s really difficult trying to become just that (different).
+ Anamia - Butterfly In Paris
+ Northern Portrait - Crazy
+ Anamia - Butterfly In Paris
+ Northern Portrait - Crazy
On the radio this morning...
Every morning when the girls and I are having breakfast the radio is on, and from time to time it does happen that some really fine stuff is aired, thus helping to make the start of the day a good one. The “On the radio this morning” posts are my humble attempt to make your start a good one as well!
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