MML: Sweder's Digest

Ok... the subject line here might just be a silly play on words, but the music and links to the artists involved will probably more than make up for our ridiculousness. The last time we catalogued bands that had previously been featured on MML, our focus was directed to a specific style of dreamy guitar rock [original shoegaze extravaganza + downloads.] This time we are doing things a bit differently in highlighting some of our favorite artists from a country we have come to rely on for a constant supply of outstanding music. Yes that country is Sweden. With the exception of a few individual musicians who are a part of some of these projects, all are from Sweden with a handful now residing in other countries. In several cases, the bands contacted us in a variety of ways but, for the most part, discovering this music was a product of our MySpace and music blog (big favorite) travels over the past couple of years. Hopefully we will have another major list/post for you this time next year. For now, there are 40-something different artists featured so if you can't find anything to fall in love with this time, we have no idea what to tell you. Please make sure to visit the links listed below to support the musicians and purchase the music you are fond of... You can contact plenty of the artists directly in order to do so.

Have fun with this one, search our blog for more good stuff and please let us know when there is new music from Sweden to explore.

Aerial

Website & MySpace
MP3: Time Is On Fire

Anna Leong

Website & MySpace
MP3: They Will Know Us

Antennas

Website & MySpace
MP3: Adapt!

Ass

MySpace
MP3: Don't You Tell A Word

Backslick

Website & MySpace
MP3: Down The Streets Of Paris

Bedroom Eyes

Website & MySpace
MP3: Blueprint For Departure
MP3: Hand-In-Hand Grenade
MP3: (Here's One For You) Underdog

Big Strong Union

Website & MySpace
MP3: Internet Poker Ruined My Life

Bobby Baby

Website & MySpace
MP3: Lads Are Fun

Boy Omega

Website & MySpace
MP3: Burn This Flag
MP3: By Midnight We'll Give It a Go
MP3: Papa Was a Rodeo (Magnetic Fields cover)

Bring Me The Fucking Riot... Man

Website & MySpace
MP3: In Love With The Riot

Buckaneers

MySpace
MP3: Cold Morning

Pelle Carlberg

Website & MySpace
MP3: I Love You, You Imbecile

Detektivbyrån

Website & MySpace
MP3: Nattöppet

Diktendo

Website & MySpace
MP3: The Tune I Call November

The Fine Arts Showcase

Website & MySpace
MP3: Chemical Girl
MP3: Dance With Your Shadow

Florence Valentin

Website & MySpace
MP3: Vårby Gård

The Happy People

Website & MySpace
MP3: Shake Along, Son

Hello Saferide

Website & MySpace
MP3: Highschool Stalker

Henry Morgans Solokarriär

Website & MySpace
MP3: Keeping Me Warm
MP3: One Day, Any Day

Honeymoon Over!

MySpace
MP3: Järntorget
MP3: Sophistication

IKONS

Website & MySpace
MP3: Do It Right (link expired)

[ingenting]

Website & MySpace
MP3: Släpp In Solen

It's A Musical!

Website & MySpace
MP3: Pain Song
MP3: Take Off Your T-Shirt

Jens Lekman

Website & MySpace
MP3: Black Cab

The Kid

Website & MySpace
MP3: Kit Club Hotel

Komon

MySpace
MP3: Are We Friends

Liechtenstein

MySpace
MP3: Stalking Skills

Like Honey

Website & MySpace
MP3: November

The Lovekevins

Website & MySpace
MP3: Private Life Of A Cat
MP3: Tamagotchi Freestyle

Marching Band

Website & MySpace
MP3: Home Alone VI

Paddington Distortion Combo

Website & MySpace
MP3: Clean Sound Suckers

Pluxus

MySpace
MP3: Bootstrap

Punch And Judy

Website & MySpace
MP3: You Better Know It's Coming Back

Salty Pirates

Website & MySpace
MP3: Common Sense
MP3: Survivalist Guide
MP3: The Couple On The Bus

Sharif

Website & MySpace
MP3: You Don't Know

The State of Samuel

Website & MySpace
MP3: Square Roots
MP3: The Residents of Gloom

Strip Squad

Website & MySpace
MP3: Pervert Expert
MP3: Unreliable Narrator

Karin Ström

Website & MySpace
MP3: Betydelsen Av Rum

Surplus People

Website & MySpace
MP3: He's Got a Penis On His Head

Torpedo

Website & MySpace
MP3: Hang Me High

AK Von Malmborg

MySpace
MP3: Rosenblad

Square Root of Margaret

It was this time last year when we first discovered and posted the music of Square Root Of Margaret from Chatham, Ontario, Canada [2006 review + download]. The track featured then was an excellent listen and the band couldn't have been nicer. Since that time they have been working on, and have completed a brand new full length album titled Teragram Photeur. With this new release, Square Root Of Margaret once again provide a delightful glimpse into the world of Bleen they've fashioned over the years. Somewhere between the lighter side of indie rock and the psychedelic underpinnings of decades past, exists a comfortable but effective sound for the band that seems to improve upon itself with each new turn. The two songs featured below will give you a good idea of the music range that can be expected within the 13 tracks of Teragram Photeur.

MP3: Memories Of Things To Come
MP3: Hollywood Will Find A Way

For an extensive history of the band including a detailed discography, and to purchase the new self-issued CD Teragram Photeur, pay a visit to the Square Root Of Margaret website. There is also a Square Root Of Margaret MySpace page for more music. The CD release party will be held tonight night with a follow up show taking place tomorrow evening both at local Chatham venue The Elephant's Nest Pub (amusing reviews). September will be a busy month for SROM as they travel through western Canada and back for numerous live performance dates. If you get the chance and are close to any of the following cities, check them out

Sept. 05 / Toronto, ON. / The Horseshoe
Sept. 06 / Sault Ste. Marie, ON. / Eargasm Records
Sept. 07 / Thunder Bay, ON. / The Apollo
Sept. 08 / Winnipeg, MB. / The Cavern
Sept. 10 / Calgary, AB. / Broken City
Sept. 12 / Penticton, BC. / The Can
Sept. 13 / Canmore, AB. / The Canmore Hotel
Sept. 15 / Fernie, BC. / Taste of Fernie Festival
Sept. 16 / Victoria, BC. / Logan's Pub
Sept. 17 / Duncan, BC. / Duncan Garage Showroom
Sept. 19 / Vancouver, BC / The Railway Club
Sept. 22 / Calgary, AB / Ship & Anchor
Sept. 23 / Edmonton, AB / The Black Spot
Sept. 24 / Lethbridge, AB / The Slice
Sept. 26 / Winnipeg, MB / The Acadamy Bar
Sept. 27 / Thunder Bay, ON / The Apollo
Sept. 28 / Sault Ste. Marie, ON / Loplops Lounge & Gallery

Black Kites

What would you think if we told you there was a good shoegaze band from Southern California you should check out? Ok, let's raise the stakes a bit. What would come to mind if we informed you of a great shoegaze band located in Los Angeles that played the Viper Room this past weekend? If you have that northeastern mindset, similar to my own, you might shrug it off with a sigh or at least a distant sneer... but not so fast. Somewhere between the first whisper of All Wrong and the final echoed goodbye of the track Sadie, we found ourselves falling for a lovely dialogue of male and female vocals accented by a measured approach to the early 90s sound we adore. Black Kites are an impressive quartet consisting of members Alan Petherick (guitar,vocals), Evelyn Reyes (keyboard, vocals), Nicki Nevlin (bass) and Marcel Feldmar (drums). For more tracks that might bring to mind classic post-shoegazers Ride as well as more recent indie rock bands such as Low, stop in for a visit to the Black Kites MySpace page. There is additional information and links on the Black Kites website and you can download the balance of music from the new All Wrong EP at the band's label Filthy Angels (Filthy Angels MySpace). Enjoy!

MP3: All Wrong
MP3: Sadie

Honeymoon Over!

It's been a while since we featured music from Sweden so I figured it a compulsory measure to post a band with extremely catchy, low key pop songs that have inhabited our computer desktop for far too long. Honeymoon Over! is the duo of Fredrik Ståhl and Kalle Lekholm from Gothenburg,Sweden. The new self titled 5 song EP was released in May and is available free for download through the band's temporary net-label Frukt Records. Check out the Honeymoon Over! MySpace page for a little more information and to hear additional new tracks. Besides the two songs we have featured here and beyond the music you can find on the above listed links, there is also the solo music of Fredrik Ståhl to take in if you enjoy what you are listening to here. Very nice.

MP3: Sophistication
MP3: Järntorget

Terrene

The much anticipated, while delayed due to a printing error, release date is finally here for a brand new 13 track album from a band we originally featured over a year ago [original 2006 review + download]. Actually, I've had the promo copy on heavy rotation in my car for the past couple of months, waiting for just the right time to post this beauty on the blog. The new album from Terrene, titled The Indifferent Universe, was released today through the band's Seattle/New York based label Wax Orchard. After spending some time absorbing these new songs, it easily becomes evident that Terrene has been busy evolving their sound into a blend of unique new horizons while preserving a hint of the classic artists they mention as being an influence. The Indifferent Universe keeps this excellent balance throughout its entirety and, without a single weak moment in the mix, is probably one of the more solid releases we've heard so far this year. Fifty One is the lead track and the following is a YouTube version of the video for it.



Terrene is the indie rock trio of John Dylan (guitar, vocals), Ramsey Saleem (bass, vocals) and Jimmy Gilbertson (drums, laptop) from Seattle, Washington. John created the band in 2003 after years as an accomplished solo artist. As mentioned above, The Indifferent Universe full length CD is available today and is very much worth looking into. Another major plus to this album is that Phil Ek ... oh yes that Phil Ek (Built To Spill, The Shins etc) had his hand in production duties. To listen to more of the new music and find additional information, you will need to visit the Terrene MySpace page since the Terrene website is currently undergoing a redesign. There are two of the new tracks below for your review. The second is Unwelcome, which is the quirky one of the bunch, but give it some time and you get a highly addictive rock song. Big thanks to Janelle from Green Light Go for the disc. Great stuff.

MP3: Fixed Up
MP3: Unwelcome

Sophie Zeyl

Earlier this year, we featured the music of four female vocalists we were listening to on a very regular basis [February 2007 review + download.] One of those artists was Sophie Zeyl from Amsterdam, Netherlands. After that post we received a nice message from Sophie and responded with an interest to feature her music further. With all of our recent traveling, relocation and other such endeavors, we unfortunately lost track of things. Now we have the chance to share a brand new single in the form of a video. A fantastic video that is one of, if not, the best we've seen so far this year. I'm sure there will be a variety of reactions to this and, for those like ourselves who do not follow these things closely, just might be the reason music videos survived the MTV era backlash ...so take a look and listen to the following single I'm Not Like That and let us know what you think.



If you enjoyed the youtube version as much as we did, check into the Sophie Zeyl MySpace page for music that might be a complete departure from the video in showcasing Sophie's guitar as well as her strong and exceptionally warm vocals. All of the music is presented under her own Amsterdam/London based label i-rain Records (i-rain MySpace) and can be found there for purchase. The following song was part of our original post and is the lead track of twelve that comprise the most recent release Two Ways Of Running which can also be found on i-rain Records. Lovely.

MP3: You Could Have Run Away

Monarch

It might surprise some of you to learn, as little as we are currently posting here on MML, that quite a few messages end up on our MySpace page from new and upcoming bands. In the case of today's featured artist, there was a sense of new found priority to "give up the goods" at the earliest moment we could possibly manage. This time, the music we were fortunate enough to wrap our ears around involved a humble presentation of guitar, drums and warm female vocals inside a wonderfully dreamy package we couldn't wait to share with you. The first track we singled out was Warning, which brought to the surface borderline (but thankfully not) traditional shoegaze. After quite a few listens, it was decided to stay for more with the song Obituary which had us wondering how many musicians were involved in this project? As it turns out, Monarch is only a two piece consisting of multi-instrumentalist co-founders Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner from Baltimore, Maryland. The two songs featured today belong to the newly released 11 track debut If Children which has just been made available through Baltimore based Morphius Records (Morphius MySpace). For more downloadable music, take a moment or three to visit the Monarch website. There is also a Monarch MySpace page for more information and to add as an online friend... they will love you for it. Oh, before I forget, the following YouTube video is a live version of the low key number Family Glue from May 2007, and is one you must watch. Enjoy!



In order to take in the next live performance, you only need to show up (with pocket change) to local Baltimore venue Metro Gallery next week on August 17 for an evening with Monarch and The Sky Drops who are an incredible act we have featured both here (2006) and here (2007)... This will be an excellent show.

MP3: Warning
MP3: Obituary

The Loyal Trooper

When we receive a friend request from a band on MySpace, paying attention and listening is almost always a welcome obligation. In the case of today's featured artist, we first had a listen a week or so ago. The music was entirely catchy and had us scrambling (in our own lazy way) to download for a post on MML. It was only the other day that we noticed mention of this band on Indie MP3 and Just Gimme Indie Rock and since both are music websites we visit frequently, it was decided to join in the fun. For the most part, when spoken-through vocals are involved in alternative pop/rock music the end result is usually a laborious listen. Fortunately, with The Loyal Trooper, we were treated to a different energy. All of the tracks we heard were simple and effective pop songs that deserve much of the attention they are definitely going to get.


























The Loyal Trooper is primarily the music project of Andy Walker who is originally from the northern English city of Sheffield. He now resides in London and enlists the assistance of various friends to complete the full band lineup. The debut EP 4 Quid With Flyer will be available through This Is Fake DIY Records (Fake DIY MySpace) this Monday, August 6th. To listen to more of these songs and add as a compulsory friend, you can visit The Loyal Trooper MySpace page. For additional information, Andy's blog and a free music download, also stop by The Loyal Trooper Website. It's all very good stuff....

MP3: Nothing To Say

As an added bonus that might be a bit off the map for some of you, we present an almost completely non-related artist also from Sheffield, UK. I had to ask my British wife where the town was located and she jokingly replied "Sex City?... oh that's just a Pulp song". By half coincidence, The Loyal Trooper lists Pulp as a top influence... so here is the song Michelle was joking about.

MP3: Pulp - Sheffield: Sex City (1992)

RF & Lili De La Mora

Whenever I receive a message from Lili De La Mora, the senses come to life knowing there is always something good coming our way. The beautifully unique whispering vocals we fell in love with long ago have been featured on MML in previous posts you can find both here and here. The undertaking we present today is a collaboration between Lili and exceptional multimedia artist Ryan (RF) Francesconi. Together this California duo are creating music under the aptly named project RF & Lili De La Mora. Along with several established musicians/friends you can find links for on the RF & Lili De La Mora MySpace page, they have released a brand new CD in Eleven Continents through Darla Records (Darla MySpace) with an upcoming August launch date on Japanese label P-Vine (P-Vine MySpace.) The following YouTube video was produced by Ryan and is the lead track of the new album. This is outstanding.



As an added bonus, Lili was kind enough to lend us a track from a limited release compilation titled V.A Schole Compilation Vol. 1 that was made available earlier this month on Tokyo, Japan label Schole Records. Enjoy.

MP3: Your Book Of Everything

The Antiques

While we are usually content in presenting a comparison of talented young bands to some of our favorite musicians of the past, today's featured music escapes the usual similarities we can put our collective finger on. I mostly agree with some of the previous reviews of The Antiques in that there is a feeling of early 80's British pop/rock threaded heavily with that time defying lo-fi garage sound we know so well. The difference found and contained within the the brand new CD "Sewn In Stitches" is that there are seemingly no limits or guidelines to which the sound is relegated. The healthy dose of organ accompaniment lends another dimension to the sound and the reverb levels don't hurt things at all. If, for no reason whatsoever, we were given three words to describe this music? Haunting, hollow and lovely would be the front runners although I might not be doing the slightest bit of justice to the music you are hopefully listening to right now.

The Antiques are primarily the Washington D.C. duo of Greg Svitil (vocals, guitar,organ) and Craig Garrett (bass guitar) along with assorted friends to complete the band lineup. For more tracks from the new release and further information stop by The Antiques MySpace page. Also, check out The Antiques Website for additional downloadable music and some insight. The May 22 released LP Sewn In Stitches is currently available from the band's label Sanfranin Sound and is an album we recommend highly. Listen for yourself...

MP3: Tied To Nowhere

MP3: One Day You'll Be Sorry Too

Samm Bennett

Before you listen to the following tracks and prior to my usual inane banter, please visit the following link for an amazing biography on today's featured artist. By his own admission, it is an exhaustive read, yet well worth more than a few moments of your time. We originally featured the music of Samm Bennett along with fellow musician and beautiful vocalist Haruna Ito from Tokyo, Japan and their ongoing music project Skist last year [November 2006 review + download]. If you take the time to read the extended bio on Samm, the first thing that might impress is the truly international scope of his travels. Starting with his move from hometown Birmingham, Alabama to Boston in 1977, Samm began a musical trek that would change his location again from Boston to various parts of Africa, Belgium, New York City and eventually Tokyo, Japan performing with numerous world-renowned experimental and traditional musicians along the way. Beyond the history, and moving expenses I couldn't begin to imagine, exists an updated catalogue of music which earns very high reccomendations from MML. Definitely visit all of the links and enjoy this music.























As mentioned above, Samm Bennett is presently settled and creating this unique brand of experimental electroacoustic music in Tokyo, Japan. The songs we have featured today are part of the upcoming release How To Get From Gone To Here which will be available a bit later this year on Samm's own music label Polarity Records. For a few more tracks, updated news, live performance dates and to become a friend, you can easily visit the Samm Bennett MySpace page. While there, take a moment to digest the broad range of musical collaborators and influences listed. We also recommend stopping in to the Samm Bennett Section of his Polarity Records website for a comprehensive discography and more information on all of the music projects available there.

MP3: Blues Wrapped Round My Head
MP3: Party People (Get On The Dancefloor)

Boy/Girl

After yet another stint away from our favorite little Internet addiction, we are once again kicking things off with quite the bang to follow our previous 4th of July post. If you are a regular visitor to this music weblog and appreciate a healthy dose of well measured noise rock, you are in for a treat today. We first featured Boy/Girl on February 2, 2007 [original review + download] and were more than excited to learn about a new EP and some additional news we will get to eventually. For now... sit back (if you can) and take a listen to this new little number.

MP3: Rorshack













Oh yeah... It's every bit as good as we remember. As a recap from our previous visit to Boy/Girl-Land, Eric Stiner (guitar/vocals) from Brooklyn, New York and Lisa Cusack (drums), who is originally from Oslo, Norway, met at Columbia University in 2005. Since that time, the music continues to evolve and the band is quickly becoming one of our favorite rock duos. If this new music brings to mind early 1990s material of the classic Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, it's most likely a result of Boy/Girl enlisting the big man and JSBX drummer himself, Russell Simins (Mr. Simins MySpace), to handle production duties. Now let's get to the important stuff.
















The brand new EP titled Secret Secret Secret Singles is available through 307 Knox Records and via iTunes for download. You might also find it necessary to stop into the updated Boy/Girl website for more information and news . There are more tracks and MySpace videos (that actually work!) placed appropriately enough on the Boy/Girl MySpace page. The band's next live performance will take place tonight (7/10) at local NYC venue Cake Shop with Florida outfit The Dark Romantics (TDR MySpace). Besides the above mentioned EP, some additional news I was not expecting was a welcome surprise. Boy/Girl are casually shopping labels for an upcoming full length release. I can't imagine this being a difficult task. Another listen?

MP3: The Shakes

MML Indie Classics (Vol. 3): Dü Hüskers / The Twin Cities Replay Zen Arcade

"Spring 1986, and two of San Francisco's more dedicated scene chicks are running up and down their shotgun apartment, goofing on perspective. Second acid trip, fourth hour. the tweak is peaking. They whirl into the living room, giggling, holding onto walls and their tall boy buds. "Would you mind if I put on Zen?" asks one (let's call her Jill). the other (uh... that's me) winces, considers. She's been hiding from Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade since it came out, afraid of it, really. To angry, too dense, too dark. What the hell, maybe it's time. Jill drops the needle, second song, fourth side. Terri drops to the floor, pinned by the jogging purpose of the drums. They dig in for the journey. Suddenly a wave breaks over their heads and drags them out to sea. It's "Reoccurring Dreams," and by the time those 13:47 whine up, our ladies have learned to surf."



















I first discovered the music of Hüsker Dü as a young teenager shortly after the 1984 released double album Zen Arcade. This one album changed everything I thought my young ears knew about music and would eventually shape my present-day tastes in music. It would also have a far reaching effect on plenty of bands who would, in turn, end up influencing today's current crop of indie rock artists. If you had asked me 20-some years ago, I would have told you the exact same thing I will explain now... After doing some searching through my semi-vast collection of music, I have finally realized Zen Arcade as easily being my favorite album of all time. Surprisingly enough, only 9 years after the original release of Zen Arcade, a 1993 tribute album was released on the now defunct Synapse Records label with various local Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota musicians loosely interpreting the songs from this great album. The above and below quoted San Francisco "scene chick" descriptions of a Zen Arcade experience were taken from the liner notes of today's featured CD: Dü Hüskers: Twin Cities Replay Zen Arcade. We are familiar with a handful of bands who took part in this project, but if you have any specific information on the musicians who contributed then and are still active in the Minneapolis music scene (and/or beyond) please give us an update. We would absolutely love you for it!


















"Back at that San Francisco apartment, the two girls are burrowing into the sound, listening with every cell. They've gone back to the beginning, side one, song one, and discovered the boy's life at the heart of the record. Heads down, hands talking, they're translating to each other: "Oh god --- his parents... it's so fucked up! But he loves them... Shit, don't fall in with the Krishnas!... Oh Jill, he's gone into the army!" By the time "Reoccurring Dreams" completes the cycle, they're speaking in tongues: They are Hüsker Dü and Hüsker Dü is them. And they know that the eye-watering whine that's pinched off at the end of side four continues somewhere else, will reel out forever, is in fact always present in the whir of thoughts and dreams.

And here it comes again.

--- Terri Sutton
Minneapolis, MN 1993"

From the 1993 tribute album Dü Hüskers: The Twin Cities Replay Zen Arcade:

MP3: Hammerhead - Something I Learned Today
MP3: The Mighty Mofos - Broken Home, Broken Heart
MP3: Prest Abestus - Never Talking To You Again
MP3: Muskellunge - Chartered Trips
MP3: Lies Incorporated/TVBC - Dreams Reoccurring
MP3: Superball 63 - Indecision Time
MP3: Dogfight - Hare Krsna
MP3: God's Favorite Band - Beyond The Threshold
MP3: Psuedonymphs - Pride
MP3: Salbando - I'll Never Forget You
MP3: Dylan Hicks + 3 Pesos - The Biggest Lie
MP3: Janitor Joe - What's Going On
MP3: Vertigo - Masochism World
MP3: Zuzu's Petals - Standing By The Sea
MP3: Walt Mink - Somewhere
MP3: Flour - One Step At A Time
MP3: The Blue Up? - Pink Turns To Blue
MP3: Balloon Guy - Newest Industry
MP3: Willie Wisely Trio - Monday Will Never Be The Same
MP3: Arcwelder - Whatever
MP3: Teenage Larvae - The Tooth Fairy And The Princess
MP3: Big Trouble House - Turn On The News
MP3: TVBC - Reoccuring Dreams
MP3: (Bonus Track) The Hang-Ups - Eight Miles High

It's A Musical!

Just over a year ago, we featured the music of a female artist from Sweden who, besides the project name, simply went by her first name Ella. [May 6 2006 review + download]. When we recently noticed a brand new collaboration and that Ella had since moved to Berlin, Germany, we couldn't wait to listen. The musician I am referring to is Ella Blixt and the last time we visited her music, it was presented under the name Bobby Baby. While Ella's music continues with this name, you can visit the Bobby Baby website for downloadable songs she has been making available since 2005. Also, stop in to check out the Bobby Baby MySpace page for updated information and more music.

















Robert (or Robot) is a musician from Germany who is half of the duo Lady Boy along with a wonderful new discovery for us in guitarist/vocalist Kitty. While there is not much in the way of detailed information on this music project, you can visit the Lady Boy website as well as the Lady Boy MySpace page for a plenty of really good tracks for a listen. They supported Bobby Baby on a 2006 tour in Germany and are currently signed to Berlin based Solaris Empire Records (Solaris Empire MySpace). We must add... Robert looks quite charming in his bear suit.

















Sometime after meeting during the 2006 live performance schedule in Germany, Ella Blixt (organ, keyboard, vocals) and Robert/Robot (drums, vibraphone, vocals) formed It's a Musical! The latest addition to the new group happened in May when they enlisted the assistance of Marcel (broken bass, mini keyboard) to complete the lineup. The It's a Musical! MySpace page is new and needs to be visited for a compulsory "friend request" in support. There is also an It's a Musical! website that has the balance of new music for you to download. All of the links above are very much worth your time. Very nice.

MP3: Pain Song
MP3: Take Off Your T-Shirt

The Happy Few

We hadn't planned on posting music today and were looking forward to a night away from our computers. As is often the case, I just had to log in to my magic button machine and listen to one new band after work... and they turned out to be exceptionally good. From what little information is available, The Happy Few are an indie rock quartet from Utrecht Netherlands consisting of musicians Joep Geevers (vocals, guitar), Joris van Grunsven (guitar), Merel Koning (bass) and Linda de Glee (drums). The energetic indie guitar rock tracks you are hopefully listening to right now are actually part of a demo if you can believe it. To listen to the rest of these new songs and find a link to download the entire demo release free of charge, you only need to visit The Happy Few MySpace page. I'm not sure they have an official website just yet and the band is also currently unsigned. The lead track Red and Blue is probably our pick as stand out, while the following song Mister Man presents more than a healthy amount of peripheral dysfunction for your enjoyment. Check them out for sure.

MP3: Red And Blue
MP3: Mister Man

Bedroom Eyes

So we leave town on holiday for a few days and look what happens?? We miss a new release from one of our favorite Swedish indie pop musicians. It should have been a big clue when we returned to find plenty of page hits from today's featured artist's website, but it was only after we found a MySpace comment regarding the brand new Valentine Vacancy EP that the news was realized. We originally featured Bedroom Eyes Last November 15, 2006 [original review + download] and, according to a very reliable source, were the first music blog to do so. As a follow up, we are now posting some of the best jangly indie pop we've heard yet this year. After listening to the new 4 song release from Östersund, Sweden musician Jonas Jonsson and his cast of supporting friends that make up Bedroom Eyes, we are once again blown away. You can probably place a safe bet that our year end Best of 2007 roundup will include the music featured today. For the balance of downloadable tracks and links to upcoming live performance dates, visit the Bedroom Eyes website. There is also a Bedroom Eyes MySpace page you might want to check out for a more information and streaming music. All of the new songs are an excellent listen and the two available below deserve a ridiculously high recommendation from both of us at MML. Take a listen...!!

MP3: Hand-In-Hand Grenade
MP3: (Here's One For You) Underdog

Gravitysays_i

Have we visited the wonderful city of Athens, Greece for music lately? I hardly think so, and it seems we have been missing out on a very large scale as a result. Gravitysays_i was originally featured as part of an experimental music set [03/30/07 review + download] we posted here on the blog, and quickly became part of our daily listening regimen. When we received a message from the band while they were in France recording last week, a new song (plus an actual picture we could use) were part of the email promo-package they sent and I could hardly wait to feature them again. For news and plenty of good music stop into the Gravitysays_i MySpace page. Lovely music!!

MP3: Wicked Sky

MML News: Bob Mould DVD Preview!!

Bob Mould photographed by the fair hand of MML.

Ok, ok... please don't wet your collective knickers. The numerous Bob Mould fans/bloggers who are connected to our blog are probably getting the good news as we post the new link.. This is absolutely amazing and I can't believe Jason Narducy posted a preview via MySpace bulletin this evening. The upcoming live DVD from the Bob Mould Band titled Circle Of Friends is set for release October 2007 and we've been waiting for some time to see it. This preview consists of a local Washington, D.C. performance at 9:30 Club that concluded the 2005 tour supporting the incredible LP Body Of Song.

A Good Idea is a favorite song of ours from the Sugar days, and here it is live... To say this is classic "Bob" is an understatement.

Live Video: Bob Mould - A Good Idea (2005) ...no higher recommendation than this!!

The DVD contains the full live set, as follows:

Le Rug: C.R.E.E.P.

Welcome to yet another installment of Le Rug here on MML. If you missed the previous posts regarding this band, and specifically NYC musician Ray Weiss, we have cataloged the entries for your review. Over the past year, Ray has become a very good friend and continues to share his music with you through our little blog. We seriously recommend you take a listen to some of the previous tracks and check out the homemade videos... His material is all very impressive.

Le Rug: March 16, 2007
Le Rug: January 10, 2007
Le Rug: January 9, 2007
The Medics: May 27, 2006

Today's featured track, Buffalo, belongs to the upcoming self-released full length CD C.R.E.E.P. It was recorded almost entirely in analog with the drums on only one microphone. It should be available by month end and there will be a local New York City release party to support it. For more information, future live dates, a consistently updated supply of new streaming songs and to buy stuff, stop into the Le Rug MySpace page. While there, add on as a friend but be prepared for both MySpace bulletins and blogs that will give you an interesting look into the madness that revolves around this great music. Before I forget the big news, Le Rug will be also be featured as part of a UK documentary on global local music scenes. The project is called GLOCAL and a video trailer is available there at the link for you to watch. Check it out for sure.

MP3: Buffalo

Luff

Just over a week ago, a certain NYC band sent us a passing message in regards to one of our favorite artists of the 1980s (Salem 66.) We then found it mandatory to listen to them closely, and after taking in a couple of tracks they sent via email press-thingy, we were won over quickly. It was only yesterday that our postbox was opened to find a package from the band, after which we took the time to have a few beers and a proper listen. The new self released CD, Blanket Ice, is outstanding (as you have probably noticed) and the date it will be available is this very day, June 15, 2007. Check the links below to get your hands on it.

















Luff is a Brooklyn, New York 4 piece that started out in 2002 consisting of founding member Sheila Sobolewski (guitar, vocals), Tara Smith (bass), Liz Bustamante (drums) and more recent addition Robin Pickering (guitar.) If you are already listening to the tracks provided, you will hopefully catch both the dreamy and beautifully dreary qualities of these low key guitar rock songs. Sheila's warm vocals complete this sound and are easily the reason we are highly recommending the brand new release Blanket Ice. Since the Luff website is currently being updated, you will need to visit the Luff MySpace page for more information and music. If you would like to pick up a copy of the new 10 song album (and you do because my eyes are bright red and shooting lasers at you) stop by this CD Baby link. Can you tell we like this band a bunch?

MP3: Blanket Ice
MP3: A Place To Visit