Video Premiere: Scissor Sisters - Kiss You Off

While I would still rather see Might Tell You Tonight as a single, the video to this Ana led track is one of the best off of the album so far. The Sisters described it as their most polished looking clip yet, and they weren't lying. It is very stylish and perfectly put together. I hope this does well for them because I am sick of tracks off of the wonderful Ta-Dah flopping.



Video Premiere: Laakso - Italy vs. Helsinki (ft. Peter Jöback)

This is one of my favorite singles this year so far. It is at once campy/completely over-the-top and beautiful. The video is absolutely fantastic. It's got sailors, crucifixion, flying, choirs... basically everything that you could ever want. It's very funny and also very well done. It may end up being one of my favorite videos of the year as well.

Evan - Dance With Me



"A reflection of you, and reflection of me"

Time for some unabashed Swedish pop cheese today. I've heard Evan's name volleyed around a bit in the past, with musical comparisons like Erasure. Personally, I would compare his singing more to a goat. I don't think there's a melody out there that this guy wouldn't love to latch his over-the-top vibrato onto. The guy competed in Melodifestivalen, so he's entitled to a little cheese, but he really does push it to the euro pop edge. Under Your Spell, the big single off this album, is a stunning piece of dance pop, though. I'm not going to post that because you can probably find it everywhere. Instead, I'll post the almost-as-stellar (and extremely goat-like) Dance With Me. Surrender to the camp, at least for one day!

Evan - Dance With Me (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here)

Video Premiere: The Ark - The Worrying Kind

I was a bit upset that we didn't get a video for Absolutely No Decorum, as the song was just screaming for it, but this brilliant little clip makes up for it. I love everything about this video. I love it's lack of concept... just throwing everything in there. I love the glam elements, the dancers, Adam & Eve... it's just such a fun video and really does show a different side of the band. It's like a Swedish smorgasbord of the tastiest kind. And Ola, of course, is fantastic in it!

Kamera - Talk About



"Talk about love!"

Given that I was just in Stockholm for four days and did some bargain cd shopping, you should expect to hear about some great Swedish bands/artists (both old and new) in the upcoming days. The first band I'm going to highlight is Kamera. I've been wanting to post about them for some time, actually, but I've never been able to get ahold of any of their music before. They've released two albums, and Talk About is from their just released second cd Resurrection. Both albums are bursting with catchy 80's synth pop in the vein of bands like Protocol and Elkland. Both albums are also very good and contain what sound like a lot of potential hits. I chose Talk About, even though it's not a single, because it's got a great 80's synth sound that, to me, actually sounds quite different than what most similarly styled bands are doing right now. There's a soulful edge to it reminiscent of groups like ABC. And, of course, the entirely thing is almost sinfully catchy.

Kamera - Talk About (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here)

Kind Of Girl - Slave To Your Charms



"Fall from the sky and take me"

Denmark's Kind Of Girl is on the cusp of greatness. While I have been somewhat underwhelmed by many of their songs, they have a great sound that, despite its familiarity, actually comes across as kind of unique today. The chorus of this track is by far the high point, with a nice punch and lovely harmonies. Lead vocalist Sissel has a beautiful, if understated delivery which fits nicely with the gentle pop that this band produces. This is the kind of music that will not offend anybody, for sure. But, once in awhile that kind of sound is quite welcome.

Kind Of Girl - Slave To Your Charms (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Download more for free here)

Neon Plastix - On Fire



"I'm on fire, flying fast, flying high"

With a name like Neon Plastix, I knew I'd love them even before my first listen. This young UK band churns out angular, disco-infused indie rock that is not unlike much of the UK's current output. Nonetheless, it still sounds great. On Fire, particularly, is a hit in waiting. All frantic synthesizers and persistant beats. The best part, though, is actually the instrumental breakdown towards the end. Utilizing the keyboards to their full extent, it's pure bliss. There is so much of this genre out on the market right now, which makes it all the more refreshing when a band comes along and sounds like they're actually having a good time. Plus, I love their promo pics.

Neon Plastix - On Fire (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the single here)

The Dignity Of Labour - XRV



"Into the place where truth and sin collide"

I've got some straight ahead synth pop for you today. The Dignity Of Labour has a very... well, dignified sound. Their music is the kind of uber fashionable stuff that would sound good in almost any situation, though it'll probably never be played on the radio or produce any sizable hits. XRV, despite its underwhelming title, is a gorgeous slice of stately pop music that, while it might not bowl you over at first, definitely improves upon each listen. The group has been together since the 80's and have many releases under their belt, so if you like this kind of stuff, check out their catalog.

The Dignity Of Labour - XRV (mp3) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here)