Can't help myself, so here's one last reminder. Do remember the Camera Obscura concert tonight! Check (and listen to) the setlist of the concert at The Musician, Leicester on September 25. If the band repeats this setlist, we're in for a treat!
This Must Be It is probably my favorite track on the Junior album by Röyksopp, so obviously I was pretty excited to see that the LehtMoJoe Remix of said track is a free download at Last.fm. But why do I continue being this blue-eyed optimistic, 'cause (once again) it's business as usual, as a remix of an otherwise brilliant song leaves no lasting impression whatsoever.
+ This Must Be It (LehtMoJoe Remix)
I’ve probably been sleeping or something 'cause I didn't see this one coming, but Tap Tap has just put out a brand new album named On My Way on Stolen Recordings. There seems to be no promo track to share, but a few song clips are streaming at Myspace. I loved the previous album Lanzafame to death, so I probably "have" no other option than ordering the new album as well.
Grand new single Sea of Regrets by I Like Trains is now streaming at Myspace.
Shame on me, but I still haven't found the time to listen to my promo copy of the new T. H. White album Company Book, which was released yesterday.
+ Earth is on Fire
+ The Darkest Horse
The brilliant A Classic Education has recorded a lovely cover of Spanish Harlem and shares it via the MBV blog.
September 30, 2009
September 29, 2009
Ready to be heartbroken...
Only one day to go and tickets are still available for the Camera Obscura concert tomorrow night at Loppen in Copenhagen. Rather surprised by this, as the capacity of the venue is 400 and tickets cost a mere DKK 120. Hopefully it has more to do with it being Wednesday night (just read that the music won't start until10pm), rather than one of the world’s finest indie pop bands having this few fans in Copenhagen (and pretty much the rest of Zealand as well). For anyone still needing to be convinced that it might be a brilliant idea going, please download the songs below and then read Thomas Ladegaard’s nice little write-up (in Danish) about the band.+ Suspended From Class
+ Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken
+ French Navy
+ My Maudlin Career
September 28, 2009
Mixed bag...
Why is it that I always find it so incredibly difficult to get anything going on Mondays? Be it work, be it blogging or be it even life in general. Probably caused by the waking up early, getting kids to school plus kindergarten, rushing to get to work on time and the general lack of excitement about work; somewhat amazing how it only takes two days to get used to not going to work, but at least three or four to get used to be back “in action” again. And by then it’s almost weekend. A vicious cycle if there ever was one!
So time to do something about the bad habit of taking Mondays off from blogging, so here we go with something (as always) old, something (very little) new, something (definitely) borrowed, something (doubt it) blue.
Danish industrial/goth inspired rock band Demons Are Real has a new band name and is now called We Are Real. The change of name was included in the unwelcomed announcement that the band has decided to part ways and leaving singer/songwriter Kenni Møller as the only continuing band member under the new alias. The split happened primarily due to musical differences, as Mr. Møller wants to focus on a more “softy melodic sound”. Since the split up seems inevitable, one can at least hope that it will lead to a return to the sound of the brilliant 2006 EP Hum Speed On/Off.
+ Burning Oil
German label Tapete Records shares the track Nothing But Clues from the brand new album Take It by Danes The Elephants. Lovely indie pop to cheer you up, if your Monday resembles mine!
+ Nothing But Clues
Finding myself humming along to this nice pop piece by Sweden's Friska Viljor. A tribute to a street (and the people living there) in Hamburg named Wohlwill Strasse. Check out the really lovely horns! On the track of course and not on the street! Whatever that would have meant anyway?
+ Wohlwill Strasse
Next Danish band in line to part ways is Decorate Decorate. Never fun to learn about those breaking ups, but my relationship with the band was somewhat strained, as I had been impatiently waiting (the past three years) for them to just once again reach the level of the grand and ever so promising Surname of Copenhagen.
So time to do something about the bad habit of taking Mondays off from blogging, so here we go with something (as always) old, something (very little) new, something (definitely) borrowed, something (doubt it) blue.
Danish industrial/goth inspired rock band Demons Are Real has a new band name and is now called We Are Real. The change of name was included in the unwelcomed announcement that the band has decided to part ways and leaving singer/songwriter Kenni Møller as the only continuing band member under the new alias. The split happened primarily due to musical differences, as Mr. Møller wants to focus on a more “softy melodic sound”. Since the split up seems inevitable, one can at least hope that it will lead to a return to the sound of the brilliant 2006 EP Hum Speed On/Off.
+ Burning Oil
German label Tapete Records shares the track Nothing But Clues from the brand new album Take It by Danes The Elephants. Lovely indie pop to cheer you up, if your Monday resembles mine!
+ Nothing But Clues
Finding myself humming along to this nice pop piece by Sweden's Friska Viljor. A tribute to a street (and the people living there) in Hamburg named Wohlwill Strasse. Check out the really lovely horns! On the track of course and not on the street! Whatever that would have meant anyway?
+ Wohlwill Strasse
Next Danish band in line to part ways is Decorate Decorate. Never fun to learn about those breaking ups, but my relationship with the band was somewhat strained, as I had been impatiently waiting (the past three years) for them to just once again reach the level of the grand and ever so promising Surname of Copenhagen.
September 25, 2009
Soldier on...
Spent yesterday on the couch at home, as I wasn’t feeling well at all. Countless times did I start writing a blog post, but my heart and head (especially) wasn’t in it at all. Instead I spent parts of the day listening to the new Richard Hawley album, lying on said coach with my eyes closed and the music streaming from the headphones. And what a truly luxurious thing to be able to do, and definitely something I wish I could do more often (family does take its toll you know), as the experience of listening to music this way is vastly superior to the way I normally get my daily dose of music; streaming from the computer at work. So needless to say I embraced this opportunity with gratitude and as Truelove’s Gutter had just arrived in the mailbox, the timing could hardly be any better. Can't say I'm feeling 100% today, but at least good enough to "soldier on" (!).As always words seem to fail me completely, when needing to express how wonderful an album is. And Truelove’s Gutter really is nothing but just that. So I suggest you turn to Chromewaves’ excellent write up instead, and I seriously doubt I could come up with a more accurate conclusion than “It’s a thing of beauty”.
The William Blakes, one of the most talented and interesting new Danish bands to emerge in recent years, has signed a distribution deal with Canadian indie label Last Gang Records. Unable to find the news on the label’s webpage (check the Danish press release instead), but the band’s excellent debut album Wayne Coyne will (accordingly) see a North American release in November.
+ Violent God
Nomethod Records are offering the new single from Mixtapes & Cellmates as a free download. The press release claims that the band is heading in a new musical direction, and Soon somewhat verifies this. Still plenty of noisy guitars, but the programmed drums are gone and so is the shoegaze inspired sound. Taken from the forthcoming album Rox, which will be out October 28.
+ Soon
A couple of new demo tracks by Yoav are now streaming at Myspace. Or sign up for the mailing list and get an mp3 of newbie Yellow Brite Smile for free.
September 23, 2009
Shorties...
Despite massive complaints blogger still hasn’t reinstated Music of the Moment. Instead Chris has reloaded the blog himself now using Wordpress.
A trio of news from glorious indie label Shelflife Records:
The CDEP+7" The Imperial School by Horse Shoes has now hit the stores. It's a limited edition release, so hurry up ordering your copy!
+ The Imperial School
+ Changing Winds
On October 27 the label will release the debut album It Hertz! by UK electro pop duo Katsen. The tracks on the album constantly switches back and forth between being catchy then playful, which immediately made me think of the OMD album Dazzle Ships.
+ Where Nobody Can Find Us
The last piece of news from Shelflife made my heart beat just a little bit faster of sheer excitement; “We're planning new releases for Days...”. Days! Hopefully you do recall this incomparable and totally ingenious indie pop quartet from Gothenburg? Anyway this is absolutely phenomenal news and something I’ve been eagerly awaiting for a long, long time! Rather unfathomably the band’s debut CDEP+7” Downhill hasn't been sold out(?).
+ Simple Thing
+ Downhill
UK newgazers Sennen has recorded a cover of the New Order track Bizarre Love Triangle. Obviously it’s not better than the original (I seriously doubt I’ll ever hear a New Order cover better than the original), but nonetheless the band’s rendition of the song is excellent and the noisy guitars add an extra dimension that suits the track just fine! Taken from the band's forthcoming EP Destroy Us.
+ Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order Cover)
Elise And The Guardian Angel by sadly overlooked Danish indie/americana/multi-inspired singer Mushi is track of the day at Bandbase.dk.
+ Elise And The Guardian Angel
A trio of news from glorious indie label Shelflife Records:
The CDEP+7" The Imperial School by Horse Shoes has now hit the stores. It's a limited edition release, so hurry up ordering your copy!
+ The Imperial School
+ Changing Winds
On October 27 the label will release the debut album It Hertz! by UK electro pop duo Katsen. The tracks on the album constantly switches back and forth between being catchy then playful, which immediately made me think of the OMD album Dazzle Ships.
+ Where Nobody Can Find Us
The last piece of news from Shelflife made my heart beat just a little bit faster of sheer excitement; “We're planning new releases for Days...”. Days! Hopefully you do recall this incomparable and totally ingenious indie pop quartet from Gothenburg? Anyway this is absolutely phenomenal news and something I’ve been eagerly awaiting for a long, long time! Rather unfathomably the band’s debut CDEP+7” Downhill hasn't been sold out(?).
+ Simple Thing
+ Downhill
UK newgazers Sennen has recorded a cover of the New Order track Bizarre Love Triangle. Obviously it’s not better than the original (I seriously doubt I’ll ever hear a New Order cover better than the original), but nonetheless the band’s rendition of the song is excellent and the noisy guitars add an extra dimension that suits the track just fine! Taken from the band's forthcoming EP Destroy Us.
+ Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order Cover)
Elise And The Guardian Angel by sadly overlooked Danish indie/americana/multi-inspired singer Mushi is track of the day at Bandbase.dk.
+ Elise And The Guardian Angel
September 22, 2009
More bullshit...
I just received a message from fellow blogger Chris that his blog Music Of The Moment has – without notice and explanation – been deleted by blogger. Now that’s a drastic move and one I simply cannot understand!
First of all I've met Chris in person a couple of times, and know he’s a true music fan and everything he’s done with and written in the blog has been for the love of music. Furthermore he’s one of the few remaining loyalists, who spend a rather large sum every year on music and CD’s especially. So pissing him off like this (as blogger and whoever else is responsible for this just have) is probably the stupidest thing the “business” could possibly do. And the whole concept of deleting before warning (or asking) the blogger is so plain stupid and inappropriate that I refuse to waste any energy on that!
But second and most importantly. Gaze randomly at Hype Machine and you’ll see countless of blogs posting tracks they have not received any permission to share. As an example you can easily find and download (without paying a single cent) the entire debut album by The xx just by visiting a handful of blogs. That despite The xx (and the label etc.) being so generous to actually make one of their tracks a free download. But at least most of these bloggers are passionate, write about the music, go to concerts and probably buy the music in some shape (there are in fact quite a few vinyls freaks around). Still it puzzles me that they can go on posting those tracks, without IFPI etc. at some point aiming their cannons at them. But the true bad guys (and Hype Machine doesn’t and never will list them) are those ”full album blogs”, who have no other content (and purpose) than the entire albums being shared. Delete those blogs. Torture the bad guys for hours and hang them up in a tree. Just kill the mother fuckers. At least they deserve it, as they are of NO use whatsoever.
So going after guys like Chris (and me for that matter, should they be contemplating that) seems to me like a country in war foolishly believing that a strategy of fighting children, women and the elderly of the opposing nation, rather than the heavily armed artillery, will be the certain path to a glorious victory. So guys please pull your act together, say you're ever so sorry and reinstate Music Of The Moment...NOW!
Finally; Chris has set up a temporary blog, where you can read his take on the incident.
First of all I've met Chris in person a couple of times, and know he’s a true music fan and everything he’s done with and written in the blog has been for the love of music. Furthermore he’s one of the few remaining loyalists, who spend a rather large sum every year on music and CD’s especially. So pissing him off like this (as blogger and whoever else is responsible for this just have) is probably the stupidest thing the “business” could possibly do. And the whole concept of deleting before warning (or asking) the blogger is so plain stupid and inappropriate that I refuse to waste any energy on that!
But second and most importantly. Gaze randomly at Hype Machine and you’ll see countless of blogs posting tracks they have not received any permission to share. As an example you can easily find and download (without paying a single cent) the entire debut album by The xx just by visiting a handful of blogs. That despite The xx (and the label etc.) being so generous to actually make one of their tracks a free download. But at least most of these bloggers are passionate, write about the music, go to concerts and probably buy the music in some shape (there are in fact quite a few vinyls freaks around). Still it puzzles me that they can go on posting those tracks, without IFPI etc. at some point aiming their cannons at them. But the true bad guys (and Hype Machine doesn’t and never will list them) are those ”full album blogs”, who have no other content (and purpose) than the entire albums being shared. Delete those blogs. Torture the bad guys for hours and hang them up in a tree. Just kill the mother fuckers. At least they deserve it, as they are of NO use whatsoever.
So going after guys like Chris (and me for that matter, should they be contemplating that) seems to me like a country in war foolishly believing that a strategy of fighting children, women and the elderly of the opposing nation, rather than the heavily armed artillery, will be the certain path to a glorious victory. So guys please pull your act together, say you're ever so sorry and reinstate Music Of The Moment...NOW!
Finally; Chris has set up a temporary blog, where you can read his take on the incident.
September 19, 2009
Checking mails (day II)...
Actually there won’t be much checking (and even less writing) tonight, as I’m far too tired to do anything, except having a beer and watching yet another episode of Midsomer Murders. But I really should do the mail checking more often on Friday evenings, because the 50 (or more) mails I worked my way through last night had only been replaced by 5 this morning. I know this is (essentially) explained by the promotion agents being off for the weekend, but still it makes me feel that I really accomplished something!
But not to leave everyone empty handed, here's a remix I just found in the mailbox. The pounding and highly energetic Drum of Glass by Norwegians Monomen must be among the 10-20 best songs I’ve ever posted in the blog, and although the remix by Barretso fails to impress, it does serve as the perfect opportunity (or excuse if you like) to post the original.
+ Drum of Glass (Barretso remix)
+ Drum of Glass (via Insound)
But not to leave everyone empty handed, here's a remix I just found in the mailbox. The pounding and highly energetic Drum of Glass by Norwegians Monomen must be among the 10-20 best songs I’ve ever posted in the blog, and although the remix by Barretso fails to impress, it does serve as the perfect opportunity (or excuse if you like) to post the original.
+ Drum of Glass (Barretso remix)
+ Drum of Glass (via Insound)
September 18, 2009
Checking mails...
Reading, downloading, listening, deleting and (of course) hoping that some of it will be worth sharing. So it's pretty much business as usual.
+ Goldcure - I Wanna Hear It
Nothing new under the sun here, but sometimes rock music doesn't have to be all that complicated.
+ Jump Clubb - A Frozen Hug
New band from Beverly Hills. It's Friday evening, so I hope it's OK posting a track for the dancefloor?
+ Last Tide - Shapeshifter
From the band's debut EP The Broken Places. A noisy and dreamy tune with a female vocalist sound like a combination that has worked numerous times before; and does so once again! UPDATE! Mailed and told them that I liked the song and received a reply (including a download link for the EP) 12 minutes later! Wish more bands were like this!
+ Dark Captain Light Captain - Questions (Hatchback's Easy Explanations Mix)
Goes on and on for 9 and a half minute, but I cannot say I mind, as it's so dreamingly beautiful. From a recently released Remix EP.
+ Awesome New Republic - Alleycat
From the band's forthcoming and (if the promo mail can be trusted) much anticipated second album Hearts. A lovely and catchy pop song that took two listens to win me over!
No more tonight - will hopefully be back checking more mails tomorrow night...
+ Goldcure - I Wanna Hear It
Nothing new under the sun here, but sometimes rock music doesn't have to be all that complicated.
+ Jump Clubb - A Frozen Hug
New band from Beverly Hills. It's Friday evening, so I hope it's OK posting a track for the dancefloor?
+ Last Tide - Shapeshifter
From the band's debut EP The Broken Places. A noisy and dreamy tune with a female vocalist sound like a combination that has worked numerous times before; and does so once again! UPDATE! Mailed and told them that I liked the song and received a reply (including a download link for the EP) 12 minutes later! Wish more bands were like this!
+ Dark Captain Light Captain - Questions (Hatchback's Easy Explanations Mix)
Goes on and on for 9 and a half minute, but I cannot say I mind, as it's so dreamingly beautiful. From a recently released Remix EP.
+ Awesome New Republic - Alleycat
From the band's forthcoming and (if the promo mail can be trusted) much anticipated second album Hearts. A lovely and catchy pop song that took two listens to win me over!
No more tonight - will hopefully be back checking more mails tomorrow night...
New layout...!
Remove the question mark. Unlike Chris (check this comment) I do like the new one better, though I’m not totally satisfied. But this is what the blog will look like...for now!
I was seriously considering writing a “reverse” On The Radio This Morning post earlier today. Normally I write the “On The Radio...” posts, when something great has been aired, but within minutes this morning, Danish P3 played Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears! So from a musical point of view the start of my Friday was nothing but horrendous and I’m still somewhat puzzled why the very same radio station that plays artists like Mew, Band of Horses, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and even Grizzly Bear, pulls a stunt like this and risks its own credibility? Hannah Montana? You gotta be joking!
I’ve been listening to the new Muse album a number of times, and it’s been a rather frustrating experience. Like no other band I can think of, Muse has the “habit” of reaching the highest high and the lowest low on the same album, and unfortunately this is exactly what the band does (once again) on The Resistance.
A friendly soul has mailed me the forthcoming album by The Raveonettes, and although it’s much less pretentious and ambitious than the aforementioned album, In and Out of Control is a far more enjoyable experience. The vast majority of the 10 tracks (I know the album lists 11 tracks, but Oh, I Buried You Today hardly counts as one) are irresistibly catchy pop pieces, and do the songs, as I expect they will, survive the test of time, this album will arguably be remembered as one of the band’s finest efforts.
+ Last Dance
I was seriously considering writing a “reverse” On The Radio This Morning post earlier today. Normally I write the “On The Radio...” posts, when something great has been aired, but within minutes this morning, Danish P3 played Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears! So from a musical point of view the start of my Friday was nothing but horrendous and I’m still somewhat puzzled why the very same radio station that plays artists like Mew, Band of Horses, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and even Grizzly Bear, pulls a stunt like this and risks its own credibility? Hannah Montana? You gotta be joking!
I’ve been listening to the new Muse album a number of times, and it’s been a rather frustrating experience. Like no other band I can think of, Muse has the “habit” of reaching the highest high and the lowest low on the same album, and unfortunately this is exactly what the band does (once again) on The Resistance.
A friendly soul has mailed me the forthcoming album by The Raveonettes, and although it’s much less pretentious and ambitious than the aforementioned album, In and Out of Control is a far more enjoyable experience. The vast majority of the 10 tracks (I know the album lists 11 tracks, but Oh, I Buried You Today hardly counts as one) are irresistibly catchy pop pieces, and do the songs, as I expect they will, survive the test of time, this album will arguably be remembered as one of the band’s finest efforts.
+ Last Dance
September 16, 2009
New layout...?
I spent a little time today working on a new layout for the blog and if you're interested in seeing how things are progressing, you can check it right here. All inputs are welcome; positive or negative (especially).
Probably old news, but learned today that Magic Arm will be supporting Camera Obscura at Loppen (Copenhagen) on September 30 (and the rest of the band's European tour as well). Obviously I was hoping that Northern Portrait would get that job, but since everything I’ve heard by Magic Arm so far is really interesting, I’m seriously looking forward to become a lot more familiar with the experimental electronic pop universe of this one-man project.
+ Daft Punk is Playing at My House (LCD Soundsystem cover)
+ Bootsy Bootsy (Real Doll remix)
Speaking of Northern Portrait. I checked the Matinée Recordings news page today, but still no news to be found on the band's debut album Criminal Art Lovers. Instead there’s plenty of info on the new Strawberry Whiplash EP Picture Perfect including the mighty fine title track as a free download. Ordering the EP will cost you a measly fiver (USD), so what exactly is stopping you?
+ Picture Perfect
Probably old news, but learned today that Magic Arm will be supporting Camera Obscura at Loppen (Copenhagen) on September 30 (and the rest of the band's European tour as well). Obviously I was hoping that Northern Portrait would get that job, but since everything I’ve heard by Magic Arm so far is really interesting, I’m seriously looking forward to become a lot more familiar with the experimental electronic pop universe of this one-man project.
+ Daft Punk is Playing at My House (LCD Soundsystem cover)
+ Bootsy Bootsy (Real Doll remix)
Speaking of Northern Portrait. I checked the Matinée Recordings news page today, but still no news to be found on the band's debut album Criminal Art Lovers. Instead there’s plenty of info on the new Strawberry Whiplash EP Picture Perfect including the mighty fine title track as a free download. Ordering the EP will cost you a measly fiver (USD), so what exactly is stopping you?
+ Picture Perfect
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