Sugarcoin

February 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm

SugarcoinWhen I saw Sugarcoin live this autumn I got really surprised. The thing is that my already high expectations was surpassed. Simply put it was fantastic. I had listened to a lot of songs from him before, and I had liked them all. But live it was even better!

The main character behind these beautiful compositions is Andreas Nerström. I think that his own description of his sound is rather spot-on:

“The music is written primarily on the guitar. Often it builds upon a single idea which forms some kind of core in a song, an inner soul. It can be some small detail or a strand. Sometimes no more than a rhythm or a string of tones. In extreme cases nothing more than the grating of a dirty steel string. My motivation is to conserve and package that small idea, that original feeling of simplicity and clarity, wherever it comes from. Like if it, in spite of it’s banality, carries the answer to some  big mystery”

To me, Sugarcoin delivers a really beautiful and fragile music loaded with emotions. And with the voice of Andreas on top of this…well, can it be any better? Right now, the second album is out, “A Great Wall of Antagonism”. I don’t know what to say. I have bought about 20 CD:s in my entire life (and it’s not because of downloading or copying of my friends’ records), and Sugarcoin’s second album is one of these. And doesn’t that say it all?

Fortunately you can download here a few of the pearls from the second album, for free. And I’m very happy about that. Because this music should be spread to a lot of people, everywhere! You can listen to more tracks on Sugarcoin’s Myspace page, and on Sugarcoin’s site you can also listen to and download tracks from his first album “A Moment of Weakness”.

Pinnacle
Acidly
I Can’t Stop
Brutal

Streets of Mars

November 4, 2008 at 1:00 am

Streets of Mars

Streets of Mars formed nine years ago and stands today on solid ground as a band on the way to success. It’s not a question if they will succeed, but when. And I really wish them nothing less but a quick break. I have seen them live twice, and sincerely hope there will be more occasions.

Among their most obvious influences are Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Smashing Pumpkins. And I’m sure you’ll hear that when you listen (with the strongest vibes from the first band mentioned, if you ask me). Mix in a little of Moneybrother and Mando Diao, a real dose of energy, drive and feeling…well, then you are getting close.

You can visit their their Myspace page to listen, and you can download som tracks here, from the band that was appointed “Best International Band” at New York International Music Festival.

Bleeder
Taste
Breathe In Breathe Out

Edit 1/10 2010 – New versions of the songs. Listen on the band’s Myspace page.

Chris Michols

September 13, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Chris MicholsAs a true grunge fan, I find it very hard to dislike Chris Michols. To me, his voice sound very special, even though I can hear pieces of Eddie Wedder, Chris Cornell and Lane Staley in him. In other words: not a bad voice at all.

And luckily, his songs are not bad either. On the contrary, I would say that they are really good. If I have to describe them in words, I would say that it’s about a wonderful kind of laidback grunge with a touch of singer/songwriter. But, it’s probably better that you listen for yourself.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Chris anyday now would be approached by a bigger record label, that want to spread his music all over the world. I rather hope that it would happen soon. Because he’s simply to good to be only heard by a few.

The best part is that Chris allows us to take part of his music for free. He has uploaded his latest album, “The Long Road”, on his home page, chrismichols.com, and set it up free for download. There you can also come in contact with Chris, read about him, see where he plays live, among other things. You can also find him on Myspace.

Here are four songs from “The Long Road”:

These Memories
Fade In Fade Out
I Want to Go Home
Hard to Let Go

Download the entire album:
The Long Road (192 kbps, zip-fil, 58MB)

Dreams of Dusk

August 15, 2008 at 12:03 am

It is said that one should remain impartial. Which I, from time to time, am not. At least not this time. The thing is that I know several of the members of Dreams of Dusk, and have furthermore been the drummer in the band. But that really doesn’t matter. ‘Cos I’m sure that I would have cheered them on even more if I didn’t know them or had once played with them.

Dreams of DuskDreams of Dusk was initiated 2000/2001 by their most diligent members, Alexandra Pajuluoma and Martin Berglund. No matter what, I am happy that my time behind the drums in the band did not last longer than some 6 months up to 2002. Or they would never have become as good as I think they are today. They would never have been as tight and great musicians had I still been in the band, that’s for sure.

Anyway. After several years’ gigging, composing and hard work they are still around. And they are, I would like to add, better than ever! So what makes Dreams of Dusk so good? I’m not sure. It certainly won’t matter that they are from Stockholm, that they are 7 members in the original line-up, or that they all are somewhere 28 and 38 years old.

Something that will matter a lot, however, and something that I have loved since the very start, is their mix of string instruments and rock parts. I may be naive or simply ignorant, but as far as I know they create a sound that I dare say that I haven’t heard anywhere else. That the vocals are extremely beautiful and the songs as such are superb doesn’t exactly make things worse. But… as what is commonly said under circumstances like these: listen and judge for yourself!

Dreams of Dusk on Myspace

Here are a few songs from their most recent demo (which, considering the quality, should have been released as a proper album on completion):

2-The Coast Song
3-The Eternal Flow
4-Floating With Time
5-Only Then
6-Finding the Way
8-Lost In the Mist
9-The Story From the Woods

(translated by Clint Hell)

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