Sweden Rocks! A Playlist: Volume One
While it may seem as though all the great bands come from the U.S. or Britain (ok Bono… and Ireland), there is actually a strong rock presence in the Scandinavian country of Sweden as well. With a very diverse music scene, Sweden’s melodic mixture includes polka groups, punk rockers, pop stars, folk singers and a thousand different heavy metal bands. They also are home to a number of alternative/indie rock groups who are putting out great music with a sound and voice all their own. We showcase ten of those artists in our Sweden Rocks! Playlist.
Shout Out Louds – The Comeback
Album: Howl Howl Gaff Gaff (2003)
Kent - Things She Said
Album: Isola (1997)
The Hellacopters – Hopeless Case Of A Kid In Denial
Album: High Visibility (2002)
Tallest Man on Earth – King of Spain
Album: The Wild Hunt (2010)
Soundtrack of Our Lives – Nevermore
Album: Behind The Music (2002)
Mando Diao – Gloria
Album: Give Me Fire (2009)
The Hives – Main Offender
Album: Veni Vidi Vicious (2000)
Sahara Hotnights – Cheek to Cheek
Album: What If Leaving Is A Loving Thing (2007)
Tiger Lou – The Loyal
Album: The Loyal (2008)
Millencolin - Detox
Album: Machine 15 (2008)
Albums You Might Have Missed – 2001
In the second installment of our 100 Albums You Might Have Missed series we look back at the year 2001. Here are 10 great albums that fell below the mainstream rock radar but truly deserve a second chance.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – B.R.M.C.
Released: April, 2001
A must-have album for any fan of late 60′s/70′s British hard rock with an American indie twist. It’s a 13 song record packed full of fuzzy guitars with intimidating riffs and growling hooks. I hate to use the overly cliche word “gritty” but this album is a true “kids in the basement” project with an energy and curled lip to boot.
Released: May, 2001
Despite Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary serving as the only two original band members remaining on this record, it is arguably Whiskeytown’s best. The album was actually recorded in 1999, and due to a changing of the guard at the record label the completed album sat on the sidelines for two years, earning the distinction of a “lost classic”.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives – Behind the Music
Released: February, 2001
This is the band’s third release but still fairly obscure to most rock fans for an album that received a Grammy nomination. The band is Swedish, sounds British and yearns to be American. Resulting in a myriad of styles ranging from Pink Floyd, Oasis, Echo and the Bunnymen and The Stooges. The album is chocked full of well-crafted and catchy tunes, which is probably why Pitchfork hates it.
Released: May, 2001
Much was made of Dylan’s “comeback album” Time Out of Mind in 1997, but it’s follow up Love and Theft is just as good, if not better. The album is loose and fun in parts, and serious and somber in others. Lyrically, Dylan is in top form, but you don’t necessarily need to dig that deep to enjoy the album. Love and Theft marks the fifth decade in which Dylan has released an excellent album, not to shabby.
Released: June, 2001
It’s easy to write off MUSE as a Radiohead rip-off but this album showcases the English trio’s other talents and marks their direction towards a “space-rock” sound full of sweeping synthesizers, driving bass guitar effects and overly dramatic piano work. Not to mention it includes one of the best guitar riffs of the past decade in Matt Belamy’s shred-tastic “Plug In Baby”. MUSE is a band that clearly isn’t as uptight as their British counterparts and that’s what makes their sound all the more rewarding.
Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator)
Released: July, 2001
In a time where so much country music sounds the same, Gillian Welch and songwriting partner David Rawlings turn in an album of unique and beautiful folk/country tunes that are anything but stale. About as low key as it gets, Time is full of heartfelt songs performed in a super chill acoustic setting. For lovers of folk and americana music, this one is not to be missed.
Saves The Day – Stay What You Are
Released: July, 2001
The third album from NJ punk/emo/rock band Saves The Day. This release saw a change in the band’s guitar-driven power-chord sound to a more melodic and slower layered pop-rock style. Still holding on to dark and gruesome lyrics, lead singer Chris Conley manages to deliver his morbid imagery in a much lighter, almost sweeter fashion.
Beachwood Sparks – Once We Were Trees
Released: October, 2001
Beachwood Sparks were first described to me as “Indie Rock Space Cowboys”, a pretty cool distinction that got me to take notice right away. While their recording career was short, it was also pretty sweet. Once We Were Trees, their second and final album plays the space cowboy card pretty well. While the late 60′s country retro vibe is certainly all over this record, the songwriting, harmonies, and melodies speak for themselves and make a great album regardless of the time period.
Further Seems Forever – The Moon is Down
Released: March, 2001
Before Chris Carrabba started breaking teenage girls hearts as Dashboard Confessional, he did a turn as the front man for the punk/emo band Further Seems Forever. This might be an “emo” record, but it is pretty dang heavy. Carrabba’s strong voice is a perfect fit for the powerful band behind him, resulting in an inspired and impressive album.
Released: February, 2001
Spoon’s third album but the first release where the Austin-based rock outfit truly found their signature rock style. With stop-on-a-dime pacing, prickly guitars and calculated vocals, Spoon finds their charm in a tick-tock-rock groove that is sure to keep your head bobbing for many albums to come.
