Countries you didn't know you loved: Norway

Oy there.

New theme we'd like to kick off, it's called "Countries you didn't know you loved". Basically, it's focusing on one country and trying to spread the message about some bands from there that you (hopefully) don't know that much about yet. It's going to be cool! Lets get started:
Norway

Alright, kicking this off with Norway. Seen from the outside, a rubbish country: Shit food, shit loads of rain, and oh, some more rain. Famous for making a cheese called Mysost, it's brown (!?) and it's rubbish. Annoying folks in cotton sweaters. Rubbish. But FEAR NOT! There's a lot of great bands out there - most of them have got some kind of retro shoegaze sound, so that must be what characterizes the sound of this country. Maybe it's beacuse of all the rain.


I Was A King
Led by Frode Strømstad, these guys are on the very edge of a breakthrough. I recommended their self-titled album on my 2009-list and I still do. Beautiful and charming garage-pop with classic well-written tunes. Imagine 60's pop played by some 90's indie band like Olivia Tremor Control and then throw a little bit of garage in there, and you've got an idea of what this is like. Brilliant music.

Erlend Øye
I think that this guy might be the biggest personality on the Norwegian indie scene. Behind those MASSIVE glasses you'll find a talented musician with a very big range. From the disco-indie vibes of Whitest Boy Alive (more about them later), the acoustic and very relaxed Kings Of Convenience and to his electronic offerings as shown on his DJ-Kicks from 2004.


Serena Maneesh
Relatively young band, they've released one album and one highly anticipated album will be out in March on the legendary 4AD label, also known for such acts as The National, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Deerhunter, The Big Pink and formely, among lots of others, Cocteau Twins and The Birthday Party. Oh, and they've opened for Nine Inch Nails and Oasis. That's talking about accomplishments. The sound is kind of noise-garage-pop with some German kraut-inspiration.

The Alexandria Quartet
If you just hear about The Alexandria Quartet you might not find them that interesting. This is amazingly catchy radio-friendly poprock and yes, it might be a guilty pleasure, but what a pleasure it is! Many people tend to reject this kind of bands just because they're not innovative or because they don't have that indie street cred, but this is just so incredibly pleasing. Instead of growing on you, it gets inside your head the first time you hear it. Think of a little more radio-friendly version of Feeder. And then check out Into The Light - instant love.

Maribel
It's not a secret that I fancy My Bloody Valentine and, to be honest, I think these guys do, too. But, then, everybody should. Maribel is a bit more raw and rocking than MBV ever was - that actually suits this kind of music, and tunes like Ecstatic and Deflowers are brilliant proof of that. Also, this was the second Norwegian album that I mentioned on my 2009-list.

Bigbang
Bigbang is a rock 'n roll trio consisting of 3 fantastically talented musicians. Not that much is brand new here, just good, old rock 'n roll music - even the ballads are stunners and amazingly well-written. Check out Too Much Yang from 2007, it's one of my favorite albums from that year and I still get happy when I listen to it - badass rockers as well as beautiful ballads. It's fantastic.

Le Corbeau
This is a side project of Øystein Sandsdalen, the guy who plays guitar in Serena Maneesh. It's dark, it's mellow and some of it is sung in French. Soaked in reverb and melancholy, you might want to call this a pretty depressing listen, but that's in a good way. I'd like to describe this as "noise noir" - it pretty much sums up what I think this is all about.

The Megaphonic Thrift
Alright I'm finishing the first leg of this brilliant theme off with The Megaphonic Thrift. They played Roskilde Festival in 2009 and these guys are on their way up, definately. The music is more dark and grungy and less shoegaze than most of the other Norwegian bands that I've decided to say some words about, but it's just as great. Just really good songs, throw in some distorted guitars and some good energy and you're there.


That's all from me this time, I think we'll do this monthly or something - it takes some time, but it's really interesting, actually, hope you guys can use it for something!

Cheers.