Songs

Is this the best new Christmas tune so far in 2009? New song from my old favourites The Heavy Blinkers and my new favourite Jenn Grant

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Knut in Songs | 1 Comment

The heavy blinkers

It’s been so long since this band released something, that people may have forgotten about them, but I haven’t! The Heavy Blinkers is a band who have given me so many wonderful musical experiences during the years, and their sense of melody and harmony is outstanding. Their lush orchestral pop has by many been compared to Burt Bacharach or the Beach Boys, and the last time we heard from them on record was in 2005, – on the brilliant “The Night and I are still so young”.

Now, things are finally happening with The Heavy Blinkers again. They are currently working on their fifth album, “Health”, which will be released in March 2010. It is a double album, featuring guest appearances by Sondre Lerche and The High Llamas.

I have just received a new song from this album, – a stunningly beautiful Christmas song called “Silence Your Drum”. The song is the story of the little drummer boy, as told through the perspective of Joseph & Mary. It features lead vocals from the wonderful Jenn Grant, an artist you should check out the solo-works of. If my memory serves me well, I believe that her debut-album “Orchestra for the Moon” was produced by The Heavy Blinkers founder and songwriter Jason MacIsaac.

Here is the song, and the video. What do you think? Is this the most beautiful new Christmas song of 2009? I think it may be…

The Heavy Blinkers – Silence Your Drum

New music from Annemarie

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Knut in Bandprofile, Songs | Comments Off

annemariephoto

The fine Indonesian bubblegum-flavoured indiepop band Annemarie have announced that they are in the process of recording their second album, and this is great news! I loved their debut “ABC on TV”, and the new album is something I am definitely looking forward to. According to an email I have received from the band, they are still true to their roots, and will still be offering catchy and enjoyable songs. The album will however sound a bit different than the first one, and the band have done several changes in the musical arrangement. No release dates are ready yet, but we’ll try to update you when we know more.

Here’s their new single “Blue sky on holiday” (demo-version)

ANNEMARIE – Blue sky on holiday

…and here’s a classic popsong from their debut:

Annemarie – Bubblegum I see

Champagne Riot’s x-mas song

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Knut in Songs | 1 Comment

Denmark’s Champagne Riot has made a new Christmas single. It’s called “X-mas safari”, and you can get your free copy here:

Champagne Riot – Xmas Safari

Tiny Ruins

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Knut in Bandprofile, Songs | Comments Off

tiny ruins

Photo by Lennart Maschmeyer.

On rare occations, I discover music that is so right for me, – music that touches strings deep inside, and makes all my senses and feelings wake up. Tiny Ruins from New Zealand plays this kind of music.

It was a friend of mine who asked me to check out Tiny Ruins‘ music some time ago, and I am so glad I did. Now I’m hoping that you will check out her music too. Tiny Ruins is what Hollie Fullbrook calls herself when she writes and performs her intensely beautiful acoustic songs. She is a student in Wellington, and during her university years, she has made music for small theatre productions, played open-mic shows and made a lot of songs with her guitar in her bedroom.

There is a unique atmosphere in Tiny Ruins’ songs, and her vocals sound so timeless. It’s not music that screams “HEY, LISTEN!!!”, – it’s more quiet songs for rooms with dim lighting, late evenings, maybe with a good book as company.

As far as I know, Hollie has not released anything officially yet, but she has recently bought herself some home recording equipment, so let’s hope that we will see a release some time during 2010…

For now, you can listen to her beautiful songs on her myspace or download this little gem right here on Eardrums:

Tiny Ruins – The Death of a Russian

Isn’t this wonderful music?

New song and album news from Efterklang

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Knut in Nordic music, Songs | Comments Off

efterklang

Denmark’s Efterklang has given me so many wonderful musical experiences, – sometimes so strong that I connect some of their songs to times, places and I may even remember the weather on that specific day I listened and had the special experience. I’ve recently enjoyed watching and listening to their ambitious live-release “Performing Parades” (cd/dvd), where they performed their album Parades in full, accompanied by The Danish National Chamber Orchestra, in their hometown of Copenhagen. Now the band have released some interesting details about their upcoming third studio-album, Magic Chairs, which is set for release on February 22 on their own Rumraket-label in Scandinavia and on 4ad in the rest of the world.

As usual, the cover art is made by the Danish design and art-studio Hvass&Hannibal. Beautiful!

The band have also sent us a sneak-peak of the opening track on the album, “modern drift”. It’s a wonderful song, driven by repetitive pianos and beautiful strings, – and a lot more “pop” than I had expected, especially in the vocals. The band is quoted on the 4ad-site and they say this about the album:

“We are very proud of this record and feel that it introduces a new Efterklang sound. The songs draw inspiration from pop song structures, created and recorded with a live approach and we wanted to display every sound source clearly so that the listener can hear every ingredient of the music.”

I am so looking forward to February 22…

Have a listen:
Efterklang – Modern Drift

Here is the tracklisting:
1. Modern Drift
2. Alike
3. I Was Playing Drums
4. Raincoats
5. Harmonics
6. Full Moon
7. The Soft Beating
8. Scandinavian Love
9. Mirror Mirror
10. Natural Tune

New songs from Champagne Riot, the duo

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Knut in Bandprofile, Nordic music, Songs | Comments Off

Champagne Riot

A year ago or so, we wrote about the new 6-track EP from Denmark’s Champagne Riot, released on Shelflife Records. Back then, the only member of the project was Caspar Bock, and on his debut “Paris and I”, he made wonderful electro-pop sounding somewhere between Abba, New Order and The Lightning Seeds, – quite different than most of the other bands on the label.

His list of influences was also refreshingly uncommon for an indie-musician, listing Kylie Minogue, Max Martin and Stock/Aitken/Waterman side by side with cred-influences like New Order and The Smiths.

Since the release of “Paris and I”, a lot of things have happened.
The solo-project is now a duo, with Danish music journalist Anders Reuter as the second member. The duo have spent the last 3 months in studio, and they are in dialogue with several labels at the moment. Caspar tells us that they hope to release a single or an EP early 2010 and an album later in the year.

If you go to Champagne Riot’s myspace, you will find 3 new songs streaming, – all of them very good. I really like their way of finding those classic melodies without too much accessories, and unlike many other bands, they dare to be clean and pure.

One of the new songs is available for you here at Eardrums, enjoy!

Champagne Riot – Confessions Of A Poker Pro

New free single by Tender Trap!

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Knut in Bandprofile, Recommended Releases, Songs | Comments Off

Tender Trap waiting for a train Photo by Alison Wonderland.

Tender Trap are finally back with a new release! After being on hiatus since their wonderful second album “6 billion people” from 2006, indiepop legends Amelia Fletcher, Rob Pursey and John Stanley (DJ Downfall) have added two members to their line-up and released a new, free single on the fine label Fortuna POP!.

For those of you who are not familiar with these names, Amelia and Rob were once in some of my favourite indiepop-bands, first in Talulah Gosh, then in Heavenly and after that they were joined by John in Marine Research. This time, they have been joined by Elizabeth Morris from ‘Allo Darlin’ (who have released very good singles on her own on WeePop! records) and Katrina Dixon, who has played in a number of indie bands (Police Cat/Sally Skull/Garden City Project).

The new Tender Trap-single features two songs, “Fireworks” and “Grand National”, both very good songs. Ah, it’s so nice to hear Amelia Fletcher’s voice again!

You can download the single, incl. artwork, from http://www.fortunapop.com/tender_trap_free_download.php

Tender Trap will play several shows this Autumn and an album will follow in early 2010.

The first concerts will be:
* Oct 22nd How Does It Feel To Be Loved? @ Jamm, Brixton, London FREE!
* Nov 15th Indiepop Alldayer, Lee Rosy’s Tea Shop, Nottingham

For a dive into the history of Amelia Fletcher & co, check out these Spotify links:
Heavenly | Tender Trap . Dj Downfall and Amelia Fletcher recently did “If I should fall behind” on a Bruce Springsteen cover-project by indiepop-artists. For Talulah Gosh, listen on Myspace.

Tender Trap have also made a video for “Fireworks”. Enjoy!

New “Picture Perfect” EP from Strawberry Whiplash

Posted on September 18, 2009 by Knut in Recommended Releases, Songs | Comments Off

Matinée Recordings has released a new EP from Glasgow indie pop duo Strawberry Whiplash, “Picture Perfect”. This is their second release, after last year’s wonderful “who’s in your dreams”. Strawberry Whiplash is Sandra and Laz, – the latter is also the man behind Bubblegum Lemonade, also on Matinée. When I listen to the wonderful title-track on this new EP, I get back the good feeling that I once had, driving around in my hometown on a sunny day, playing The Primitives loud in my car, thinking “life is good, what more than this do I ever need”.

Have a listen here:

Strawberry Whiplash – Picture Perfect

Matinée has more goodies for us in the months to come: A compilation cd called “The Matinée Grand Prix”, a new release from Sweden’s The Electric Pop Group “Seconds” and “Criminal Art Lovers” from Denmark’s Northern Portrait.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Higher than the stars EP (- again)

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Knut in Recommended Releases, Reviews, Songs | 1 Comment

TPOBPAH_higher_than_the_stars

I have written about this ep earlier here on Eardrums, but now I have heard it, and you really have something to look forward to. I loved their album, but this is even more my style. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart sound less fuzzy and even more pop than before on the “Higher than the stars” EP. Don’t get me wrong, – this is very much the same The Pains of Being Pure at Heart that we know and love, but they have dared to do a few changes that really suit them.

The title track, “Higher than the stars”, is a loveable, dreamy popsong, – with quite smooth vocals, synth-strings and less guitars than we’re used to from this band. The fuzzy guitars are definitely present on the shiny “103″, my favourite, which reminds me of the “Ecstasy & Wine”-era of MBV. Super-melodic indiepop that seem to have been made for bikerides on a sunny day. “Twins” is also a quite guitar-driven song, more melancholic in a way, with very cool chords and an irresistable chorus. I would never imagine that I ever would hear a danceable disco song from The Pains, but “Falling Over” is just that. I’m set back to the early 80s, with catchy rhythm guitars and a Human League-esque “don’t you-, don’t you touch me”-chorus, – just lovely! “Falling Over” is very far from The Pains as we heard them on their self-titled debutalbum, but still, this is very much The Pains of being pure at heart.

The 5 track EP will be released on November 9 through Fortuna Pop, and while you wait, you can grab this St.Etienne-remix of the title track and listen, listen, listen, – while you tell yourself that the rest of the ep is so much better…

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Higher Than The Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Remix)

My Little Pony – New song, European tour and a new “Oslo!”-compilation

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Knut in Nordic music, Songs | Comments Off

My Little Pony, the band that once restored my faith in Norwegian indie-pop, has news for us! On wednesday, they will start their European tour, with gigs in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Sweden (full gig-list here). The band will also participate on the follow-up to Spoon train Audio’s fine compilation “Oslo!” from 2008, “Oslo 2”, which is set for release on November 2. The list of artists for the “Oslo 2” compilation looks very interesting, – the best of the best:

Nomber 5s, Hiawata, Monzano,Little hands of asphalt, My little pony, Therese Aune, Norma Sass, Children and corpse playing in the street, Cold Mailman, Yoyoyo Acapulco, Go fandango, Seppuku zephyr dance, Firetop mountain, Einar Stray and Like spinning.

My Little Pony will start recording their own second album after Christmas.

The band have been kind enough to share their contribution to the second “Oslo!” album with the Eardrums-readers, and I guess this is kind of a premiere of the track (it’s also streaming on myspace, so it’s only “kind of”…). The song is called “Capital of Norway”, and this is what the band themselves say about it:

“ “Capital Of Norway” has been produced and mixed by the impeccable Sjur Lyseid of Monzano and The Little Hands of Asphalt in the brand new “Six Feet Over Studios”, right at the heart of Oslo’s east side. It is a bittersweet salute to our wonderful city and also another european city in which we are going to play on our tour that starts next wednesday. Hope to see you there!”

Enjoy!

My Little Pony – Capital Of Norway