Pacific! have arrived late to the party and as a result, Narcissus comes across as merely pleasant. If released back in 2006 when then nu-Gothenburg sound was still in its infancy perhaps things would be different, but at the end of 2010 it’s too little too late.
Sweden
Mixtapes & Cellmates – Rox
Ditching their previous sounds for something more pop-like, Mixtape & Cellmates return with their latest.
This Is Head – 0001
A classy and classic debut from a new Swedish band who’ve taken the usual Balearic pop template and developed it into something a lot broader. Rich Hughes reviews.
SOTD #19 // Love Is All: ‘Repetition’
Love Is All return with their most accessible album to date. “Repetition” sets us up perfectly for what will surely be a triumphant 2010.
TLOBF Interview :: The Tallest Man On Earth
The Tallest Man On Earth reveals that Bob Dylan is actually his dad. Or perhaps not. Kristian Matsson shares enough to give his fans a glimpse into what inspires him, while still maintaining the mystique that has intrigued us all from the beginning.
First Aid Kit – The Big Black and The Blue
The Big Black and The Blue mines 70s rustic American and the pastoral, harmony heavy folk of more recent acts to prove itself retro, but no less interesting for it.
The Mary Onettes – Islands
Once again a band from Sweden does great pop music, this time with glossy tunes, lush production and a broken-hearted, nostalgic core.
Kommun – Kommun
An album with 12 songs, each lasting under four minutes. That’s what a decent Swedish pop album is made of. But even if the music of Kommun is pop, the band doesn’t seem to be that popular yet…
TLOBF Interview :: The Mary Onettes
TLOBF delivers some choice questions to Swedish band The Mary Onettes about their latest album “Islands”.
Thus:Owls – Cardiac Malformations
Cardiac Malformations is a record out there on its own. It belies categorisation or comparison. A debut so visceral, so tangible, you can almost see it.
Taken By Trees – Kägelbanan, Stockholm 06/12/09
Leaving The Concretes might’ve been the toughest and hardest choice Bergsman has ever made, but after this show it’s impossible to see it as something negative.
[Download] Sambassadeur ‘Days’
Self proclaimed as “the world’s finest purveyor of indie pop” Labrador Records rarely take a step wrong in their releases. This newie from Gothenburg based Sambassadeur is no exception.
[Download] Summer Camp: ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’
Hopelessly romantic and full of wide eyed wonder – this is SUMMER CAMP folks. Remember their name. Download ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ inside.
Dial M For Murder – Fiction M For Murder
Comparisons between Dial M For Murder and other bands of this ilk are valid, but unfair and injudicious and also fails to appreciate that Fiction Of Her Dreams is an album of ten excellently realised dark indie goodies.
I’m From Barcelona – Concorde 2, Brighton 28/08/09
As a result of Brighton festival Beachdown being cancelled, Swedish multi-limbed pop beast I’m From Barcelona found themselves at a loose end by the seaside last weekend. Ro Cemm reviews.
Nya Vågen #4
The ONLY place to hear about all the latest from Sweden’s underground music scene. Victor Svedberg offers up some amazing aural treats in this months column.
