The Swedish Charts

"The"; definite article. "Sweden"; country in northern Europe known for it's impeccable music tastes. "Chart"; the worst way to rank musical success. So, here's a few of the more interesting picks from this weeks Swedish Album Chart.

2. "RallarsvÄng" by Lasse Stefanz



A "country-music inspired dansband". Yes, in Sweden they apparently like to dance to the jitterbug still. How indie is that! If you want to dance, then this is the stuff to do it to.

5. "10 År En SnÄll Mans BekÄnnelser" by Patrik Isaksson



I'm sure it would sound a lot different if I understood what he way saying, but from what I can tell he's got a lot of emotion and he's not afraid to let you know. I'll leave it to you to figure if that's a good or bad thing.

9. "A State Of Mind" by EMD

Every country has it's own boy band, and this is theirs. All three members have competed in a Swedish TV show called "Idol", one of those shows were people with telephones and too much time decide who has more musical ability, and from what I could tell none of them won. I suppose the only thing worse that being in a reality TV show is winning it.

Photography... The Lasse Stefanz tour bus was by Geir Arne Brevik and the one of Mr. Isaksson was by Bengt Nyman.

Those Fake "Indie" Bands

As you may know, Indie is being hijacked by non-indie forces. As the popular music lovers start listening to "Indie Music" thinking they are the ones on the musical high ground, life as we know it may fall apart. Here I present to you, the first additions to the "Indie Wanted List". It's like the FBI's wanted list, but naturally far superior.

1. The Ting Tings


http://www.flickr.com/photos/bunmun/

The worst offender in modern music. I went looking for a photo of them and found that lovely one above. Here's what the photographer had to say about them...

"This "two piece" really have nothing in common with Mates of State, the White Stripes or Lightning Bolt. Whereas, those bands can use their minimal elements to great effect live, The Ting Ting could benefit with more members because they are kinda static live and the girl seems like shes having a hard time playing guitar. And if you need the bass and keyboards on a backing track there really isn't much justification for being a two piece.

And to finish, they played "That's Not My Name" for no less than a whole 10 minutes! They must've repeated that chorus at least 8 times! "

What more can be said...

2. The Script

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamreading/

Three Dubliners struck it rich and formed an Irish boy band for the 21st century. It seems the swaying masses are no longer impressed with 4 dancing pretty boys, but now require them to play their own instruments and sing with fake, store bought emotion.

A human shade of beige.