Garmarna - 6

Garmarna - 6
(2016) BMG

Totally out of the blue someone told me that the old swedish folk rock band Garmarna was about to put out a new, electronic soundning, album. I checked out some previews and I was very inrigued by the sound. I've been a fan of some of their previous stuff, but this album is simply amazing. Maybe not that electronic sounding, after all, I think most of the sounds are coming from home made and traditional instruments with lots of effects and tweaks. Gloomy and cold melodies with cool sounds. Buy now!

Grave Pleasures - Dreamcrash

Grave Pleasures - Dreamcrash
(2015) Sony

In the beginning of March 2015 the finnish post punk band Beastmilk changed name and some members and became Grave Pleasures. I really liked Beastmilk, and I like this album as well.
I don't know why the band had to change name, the new album is not that different in sound. Well sure, an obvious musical progression has taken place. Especially the drumming has improved a lot. But is that enough to change name?

The Foreign Resort - The Foreign Resort EP

The Foreign Resort - The Foreign Resort DDEP

(2011) Monolathe

I recently helped crowdfund The Foreign Resort's new EP via Musicraiser, because I liked their last album "New Frontiers" so much. How about their older songs, you ask? Not everything is good. But, boy, this their 2011 "The Foreign Resort" EP is a true classic!

I'm sad I didn't discover this great band until the end of 2014. I missed out on their earlier CD's. Thankfully, Bandcamp comes to the rescue. Flac files is a good substitute for CD's!

Then Comes Silence - Nyctophilian (Then Comes Silence III)

Then Comes Silence - Nyctophilian (Then Comes Silence III) DD
(2015) Novoton

Then Comes Silence must be the hottest underground band in Sweden right now. I really hope they will have their well deserved break-through this year. The only thing working against them is the poor audio quality of the music streaming services, like the ever-so popular, Spotify. I simply can't imagine Then Comes Silence's dirty mix of rock and post punk sounding anything but awful in low audio quality. I bought this album as a Flac download from the band's Bandcamp site, but I'm kind of regretting not having bought the LP/CD combo. I would by a CD-only version right away, but there isn't any available...

The Montecristos - Born To Rock 'n' Roll

The Montecristos - Born To Rock 'n' Roll
(2015) Easy Action

I Kickstarted this album as soon as I heared about it. A kinda 50's rockabilly & rock'n'roll album by Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, what could go wrong? Nothing! There's a lot of covers on the album, and that's not really a big surprise. What's more surprising is the fact that they've included two of Sigue Sigue Sputnik's best songs, "Love Missile F1-11" and "Jayne Mansfield", and actually improved them.
Great stuff!

The Soft Moon - Total Decay EP

The Soft Moon - Total Decay EP
(2011) Captured Tracks

Another cool band that I was totally unaware of until recently. I don't know if this EP is representative for their over all sound, maybe there's a bit more of singing on their other releases? This EP reminds me of In Death It Ends, just a bit more interesting! Check out this awesome post punk, gothic, alternative rock release.

The National - Trouble Will Find Me

The National - Trouble Will Find Me
(2013) 4AD

The new The National album is on par with 2010's "High Violet", it's really good. But just like that album, The National isn't even close to the greatness of the 2007 album "Boxer". No worries, though, you only get to release an album like that once in a career.
If you like The National you're sure to like this album as well!

Bizet Boys - Ride 'Em Carmen

Bizet Boys - Ride 'Em Carmen 7"
(1989) Parlophone

This is a one-off single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik mastermind Tony James. As you can judge by it's name it's a pop tune with samples from Bizet's "Carmen". It sounds like M.A.R.R.S. "Pump Up The Volume" with opera samples, or maybe like Sigue Sigue Sputnik with less samples and no guitar.

Woven Hand - Black Of The Ink Book+CD

Woven Hand - Black Of The Ink
Book+CD (2011) Glitterhouse

A bit odd release this. It's basically a book with all the Woven Hand lyrics and some art drawn by David Eugen Edwards himself. The CD features 6 exclusive newly re-recorded songs, one song from each of the previous Woven Hand albums. This is a really neat collector's item. A bit expensive, but well worth it if you're into David Eugen Edwards work.

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell CD/DVD

Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
CD/DVD (1997/2006)
Epic

This is a classic record, as you all should be aware of. Jim Steinman's songwriting, Meat Loaf's voice and the super gifted back up musicians makes this one of the greatest rock albums of all time. This CD/DVD combo is worth getting even if you already own the regular album. The DVD is, in fact, the previously released "Hits Out Of Hell", packed with cheesy promo videos from Meat's first two albums. Great stuff!

16 Horsepower - Yours, Truly

16 Horsepower - Yours, Truly 2CD
(2011) Glitterhouse

This is an awesome 2CD best of kinda collection. The first CD is called "People's Choice" and consists of twelve of their best songs, selected by the fans. The second CD consists of, and is called, "Rarities". It holds thirteen b-sides, remixes, radio-sessions and so forth. If you haven't heared 16 Horsepower before I urge you to get this collection.

Henric De La Cour - Henric De La Cour

Henric De La Cour -
Henric De La Cour 2CD
(2011) Progress

A bit of a hard one to categorise ,this debute solo album from former Yvonne and Strip Music singer Henric De La Cour. I've read reviews stating it to be goth-pop, rock/electronica and simply low-fi electronics. I don't care much for genres, but I can understand if you don't know what to expect if you're not familiar with Henric's former bands. I was a bit disappointed at first by this album. I had expected better choruses than simply chanting "Show me my machine" over and over. But I think that this may be a "grower". The first 200 copies comes with a limited bonus CD, so get it now!

Deadbolt - Shrunken Head

Deadbolt - Shrunken Head (1993)
Headhunter

If you haven't heared of Deadbolt before, they can be descibed as a dark surf/rockabilly band. There's no fast and happy songs to be found here. It's kind of strange, I usually don't like slow paced music. But Deadbolt are special, and they have a uniqe sound. The "Scariest band in the world" they like to call themselves!

She Wants Revenge - Valleyheart

She Wants Revenge - Valleyheart
(2011) Five Seven Music

I really liked the first She Wants Revenge, "She Wants Revenge", album, it was one of the better albums released in 2006. The follow up, 2007's "This Is Forever" wasn't nearly as good. Nor is this, but it's way better than "This Is Forever". They've moved on from the sound they had on the debute, and I'm guessing they took their time writing good songs for this album. Check it out, but if you're new to She Wants Revenge - get the debute album first!

Beth Ditto - EP

Beth Ditto - EP (2011)
Sony

Ah, I love a good EP! This isn't a big step away from Gossip's sound for Beth. I wonder why she decided to try solo? Ok, it's a bit more electronic sounding and maybe not so punk-ish. Check out both Beth and Gossip if you're not familiar with any of them!

Sivert Höyem - Moon Landing

Sivert Höyem - Moon Landing
(2009) Hektor

This is the first album from former Madrugada singer Sivert Höyem. I really liked Madrugada, and this album sounds almost like Madrugada. I'm really sorry I've missed Sivert's first solo album,  "Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Opposition" released in 2004. But now that I know he can manage without Madrugada I'm going to check out that album as well!

Fatboy - Overdrive

Fatboy - Overdrive (2010)
Family Tree

Finally Fatboy releases a great album. I've liked a couple of songs off their previous two albums, 2004's "Steelhearted" and 2008's "In My Bones", but altogether they weren't as good as this one.
If you're into modern sounding rock´n roll/rockabilly you're gonna like this album!

In The Colonnades - Scrap Metal Value

In The Colonnades -
Scrap Metal Value (1991)
CBR

This is maybe the most classic of all Swedish rock albums released in the nineties. The sound is heavy, almost heavy metal - but without any of the metal clichés. And it has got the coolest organ in the history of rock. If you can get hold of this album (released on the classic Swedish Chicken Brain Records (CBR) or the German SPV/Rebel Records), don't hestite - Buy it!

Killing Joke - Night Time

Killing Joke - Night Time
(1985) Virgin

This is a maybe one of the most classic of all 80's albums - any genre!
8 fantastic songs and at least 3 succesfull singles "Eighties", "Love Like Blood" and "Kings And Queens". They've obtained an incredible sound, with a very dominating bass guitar, on this recording. I only wish more albums sounded like this.

Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Flaunt It

Sigue Sigue Sputnik -
Flaunt It (1986) EMI

Last weeks B.A.D. album triggered my desire for SSS! This album has been among my most favorite records ever since I bought it back in 1986. It has everything; rock´n roll guitar, two drummers, one note basslines, extraordinary movie and TV samples and even commercial adverts between the songs! 7 songs in the same beat and one a bit slower - how could this go wrong? It simply can't! The choice of Giorgio Moroder as producer is also excellent. Moroder and guitars should have teamed up more often!