I was initially confounded by Darker My Love (MySpace). Many songs off their sophomore release, aptly titled 2, have the indie pop sound, but the strength behind guitars is quite a bit heavier than your typical “indie pop” band. Then I thought, Well wouldn’t that mean the band fits Power Pop? Granted, power pop is a heavier sounding indie pop, but even that doesn’t fit. For one, there’s too much drone. Then there’s a hefty element of psychedelic rock, and massive traces of shoegaze. (more…)
Written by Fense
I love this video! If you’re familiar with Swedish pop, you’ll recognize the folks sitting across from Persson as the video begins—it’s the Suburban Kids With Biblical Names duo! Britta Persson (MySpace) is a Swedish songwriter who crafts lovely, romantic tunes. (more…)
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Flannel (MySpace) is one of those spacey pop bands, dabbling lightly in dreamy shoe-gaze-like moments. The music paints a colorful sunset much like that found on the cover of Dear Something, Dear Someone. It’s the perfect album to listen to through headphones while staring up at the sky as the sun is setting; it’s very peaceful. (more…)
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The Postelles use guitars that have a 50s doo-wop sound, but the vocals are a bit more modern—if you can call late 60s pop more modern. Then again, there’s a soul here as well. This band comes to us from Retone Records, the folks that brought us Voxhaul Broadcast earlier this month. (more…)
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Here it is, the debut video by Swedish experimental pop masters Fredrik (MySpace), led by frontman Fredrik, also known as one half of the duo that is The LK (previously The Lovekevins). Fredrik is a bit fuller than the other project. Despite the singular name, Fredrik is actually a full-fledged group, featuring several members as opposed to The LK’s duo (also featuring Lindefelt, who appears here as well). (more…)
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I missed out on Beat Romantic. Sure, I own a copy of the album, but I didn’t pick up the pristine green vinyl version before it sold out. I told myself I wouldn’t let that happen on the new Talkdemonic (MySpace) album, Eyes At Half Mast. And I didn’t—this one is on flashy white vinyl. I snagged a copy the day it hit stores. (more…)
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“Chinese Locks”, the debut title-track by Murmansk (MySpace) opens with drone and feedback-filled guitars that last a full two minutes before any sort of rhythmic beat comes in. In a way, it sets the stage for what’s to come—Murmansk’s experimental style, female fronted rock. It’s a powerful and bold introductory statement that, in all actuality, works quite well. (more…)
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In part three of my Si No Puedo Bailar, No Es Me Revolución coverage, I present Souvlaki (MySpace). This band hails from Chile and is one of nearly 20 artists to appear on the recent Si No Puedo Bailar compilation Pero Ese Olor En El Cuarto Del Piano Fue El Primer Perfume Que Necesitó En Su Vida, available now from Darla Records. Here, their video for “Pequeno Corazon Multilinge” combines new with old for a unique take on video creation. (more…)
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The name Juan, to my knowledge, is the Spanish version of John, like the name Andy is, in many languages, translated as Andre. Therefore, the first thing I thought of when seeing the name Juan Stewart, was The Daily Show host John Stewart. But, really, that’s the only thing these two have in common. (more…)
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Today I present three features on bands introduced to me by a single compilation. The background: Last year, a little compilation pop label from Brazil sent me a lovely little collection of tunes, released as Porque Este Océano Es El Tuyo, Es El Mío. Well, that label has done it again. Pero Ese Olor En El Cuarto Del Piano Fue El Primer Perfume Que Necesitó En Su Vida is a pretty long name for an album, but it fits the concept. (more…)