I just can't watch that other thread go on and on without starting this here. From disco to death metal, if Scandinavia ain't got it, you don't need it. Since I'm feeling a little rambunctious today, why not throw in Iceland and Finland (yes, I know - Nordic, NOT Scandinavian) into the mix? So...what's your favorite sounds from the lands of sex, socialism and suicide? I'll start off slow, with a Finn. When you're in the mood for some creepy-cool Finnish electro-lounge funk, you're in the mood for Jimi Tenor. Chillin' music.
Finally a "first person to mention A-Ha gets flamed" thread. Sweet. Well, outside of the aforementioned band and Abba, my knowledge of scandinavian/nordic music is limited to my sister's Sugarcubes CDs in high school and how much my freshman roomate from Stockholm liked Depeche Mode (made me happy, my Pearl Jam loving roomate from Pittsburgh less so). Favor us with your koldmusik. We are all ears. Waiting to hear the rest of the "Behind the Bonving" story.
The Wannadies - from Skelleftea, I believe. Which is way the hell up above the Arctic Circle, if memory serves... 'Bagsy Me' is one hell of an underrated pop album.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Denmark is the new Sweden. Or is it the new Iceland? But can you really talk about Scandinavian/Nordic music without mentioning these girls? ?
And in the Scandanivian metal arena, we have infamous Norwegian Black Metal bands. Swedish outfit Meshuggah has nothing to do with descecrating graves or murdering band members. It's really interesting how they mix all these odd time signatures and create this syncopated rythym that's pretty much unheard of in metal. There was this all-chick Swedish metal band, Drain STH, but I guess they have gone the way of A-HA since appearing on Ozzfest in 98. There's the annoying single by Danish duo Junior/Senior, but since I haven't heard the entire album I can't judge the book by the cover. The Rasmus from Finland have some pretty catchy songs. If you like poppy chunka-chunka-chunka skate punk/ska, there's always Millencolin. Skip, those girls, I can't remember the name of the band for the life of me...I just remember reading an interview in which one of them expressed her lack of interest in what Britain thinks of them.
I'm also a big Sigur Ros fan. So Icelandic counts. Which means somebody has to bring up how cool Bjork is.
This gives me a good opportunity to mention that Europe just got back together! www.europetheband.com
I won't flame that choice. If you've seen Pelle live, you KNOW he's way cool. Hives haters are short-sighted.
More importantly, HE knows he's way cool. But as for your choice, Footix - me and Neil Hannon are both in agreement with ya. I would like to live in Sweden When my work is done Where the snow lies crisp and even 'Neath the midnight sun Safe and clean and green and modern Bright and breezy - free and easy Sweden - Sweden - Sweden - In Sweden I am gonna live in Sweden Please don't ask me why For if I were to give a reason It would be a lie Tall and strong and blonde and blue-eyed Pure and healthy, very wealthy I'll grow wings and fly to Sweden When my time is come Then at last my eyes shall see them Heroes every one Ingmar Bergman Henrik Ibsen Karin Larrson Nina Persson Sweden - Sweden - Sweden - In Sweden
Bjork is cool. And tiny. Stood next to her at club once. Almost trod upon her. But that girly girl voice of Nina Persson from the Cardigans just SLAYS me. Screw her Sabbath fetish, she should be called SLAYER. Cuz she SLAYS me! Ya dig?! I'm in LOVE with her EACH and EVERY time I hear her voice. Mind you, I'm extremely happily married. But it's JUST NO USE. I hear her voice and I'm on one knee -- ridiculous to be sure, because I'm usually mowing the lawn listening to her on headphones or changing a diaper. Not really the best occasions to propose to someone who doesn't really know you (although I know in my mind that she does know me and thinks of me often) and who isn't even there, let alone on the continent, most probably. But there you have it -- utterly SLAIN.
KENT is my favorite band. I have no idea why they're not popular here in the states. Another band I saw last fall was the DIVISION OF LAURA LEE (DOLL). They're a rock/punk band from Gothenburg. www.kent.nu
I know she claims to be Icelandic, but I was talking to an Icelander on a flight to Stockholm this summer and he told me that she claimed to be Icelandic for PR purposes and that she was originally from Greenland.
That's funny, Greenland is oh-so-much-more chic than Iceland nowadays. Everyone knows Godthab is the new Reykjavik.
And speaking of Bjork, anyone who is a fan of her outta check out her earlier work, (circa 1990 I think?) in a band called Gling-Glo. I heard it at my friend's place last weekend and thought it was pretty good; it's pretty rare stuff.