If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a ton: Love Is All is the live act of the year. Even if you don’t like the record, do yourself a favor and catch their show; it’s a super-charged, sax-skronky indie-pop fest, led by Josephine’s sing-cheerleading, quick-moving tunes, and killer tomdrum rolls (seriously, just key on that dude next time — he’s making it happen). Whatever the cause, there’s always a swell of euphoria in the crowd at an LIA show — whether it’s on the LES or in Oslo. Maybe it’s the tunes, maybe it’s the band’s perpetual “shit this sounds good!” smiles. Who cares, really. They rock every fucking time.
What’s Your Rupture? just re-released the spazztastic 9 Times The Same Song and, to celebrate and tune up for tonight’s must-hit Knitting Factory shows (early AND late!), the label put together a little unannounced show in Williamsburg’s The Arm Gallery, a tiny room with art on the walls, a few beers in the back, and a horde of twitching, sweating, chanting LIA fans. The set wasn’t long, but it was, as always, a ruckus. It’s an art gallery, not a proper venue, so diminutive Josephine’s frame was lost to those beyond the first few rows — but a surprisingly good mix (from where we were) made sure she was heard and adored throughout.
So the band is playing NYC tonight, and we’re giving away one Love Is All @ Knitting Factory 10/27 silkscreen poster that they signed! (Click here to check it.) We want one! But it’s for you, so we’ll pick a winner on Friday 11/10 at 6PM EST. To enter, post a comment about your second favorite Swedish band or artist (’cause we know who your favorite is!). Good luck — and GO SEE THEM TONIGHT!!! Then come back and fill us in on all of the awesome. And Chris and Thierry — you’re respectively our Marie Antoinette Guitar and Harry Smith Anthology winners, so check your email! If you don’t get to us this weekend, we’ll pick new winners on Monday. Hold Steady guys, your comics and coasters are on their way.
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peter bjorn and john i suppose !
at least lately — i have been digging that record
the cardigans. nina persson’s cover of “bluest eyes in Texas” is amazing!
refused. RI(f’ing)P. though a bit intense for my usual tastes, sometimes nothing else will do.
Probably Jens…maybe The Knife.
the best band out of sweden is obviously Suburban Kids with Biblical Names. they throw out indie pop that is totally goofy and entertaining but that doesn’t take away from how good the music is, it just adds to it. this is great music
Sambassadeur. I love that song “Kate”.
It’s gonna have to be the Cardigans for me!
they look stupid. their music probably sucks. do i get the poster? i just want to light in on fire. the chillihounds are my fav swedish band. why are indie rock kids such a bunch of pusses?
The Knife, for sure…
ABBA
C.AARME are from Sweden. I don’t know how its pronounced but they are incredible.
The Tough Alliance
Jens!
Kent, yo! WTF!
like Swedish Radiohead. cash money.
i’m so pissed i havent seen Love Is All yet. they won’t come to fucking Boston.
ARRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
hmmmmmm…Jens? right now yes. The Hives? Tyrannasaurus Hives still kicks my ass. Liliput/Kleenex? They have some good tunes. ABBA? Fuer Immer, Ja.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’ll settle on Jens for the moment.
Dungen is pretty great.
hmmmmmm…Jens? right now yes. The Hives? Tyrannasaurus Hives still kicks my ass. Liliput/Kleenex? They have some good tunes. ABBA? Fuer Immer, Ja.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’ll settle on Jens for the moment.
THE KNIFE.
gotta be jens lekman
another big jens lekman fan
In those pics the crowd first looks bored, and then generally disturbed by the guy in the red sweater.
José González. Being born in Sweden to Argentine parents is cool all by itself, and the fact that he is really talented is good too. If someone else takes this, my next choice would be Europe, because anything associated with Arrested Development is awesome.
Komeda!
the knife
Hemstad
Jens Lekman. Show me another swede with a pineapple and ukelele Hawaiian shirt, and I’ll rethink my decision. Or not.
The trees are wild and undisputably beautiful today!
It’s those Suburrrban Kids with those Biblical Names.
My gosh, they’re amazing.
jens “i’d cut off my right arm to be someone’s lover” lekman, without a doubt!
peter bjorn and john
If we’re talking current artists, I would also have to say Jens Lekman…or Starlet.
My all-time favorite is Tages, the greatest Swedish band of the ’60s. “Jealous Girl” is one of the best Beatles cops ever!
The Shout Out Louds.
jens lekman because his voice is so pretty
tough one.. peter bjorn and john or the knife… do i have to pick one in order to be considered for the poster? if so… pb&j…
the cardigans, because nina fuels a boyhood crush that’ll never cease.
i vote Jens. he’s running away with it.
Robyn! And I was down with her back in the “Show Me Love” days!
Check out this live medley she did, featuring Ninah Cherry and Salt n’ Peppa covers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BcyeDoSbfg
Mando Diao for me, though with all those great Swedish bands there are plenty of runner ups.
The Cardigans
For realz
hey, that’s chris deaner from +/- in the grey with green undershirt looking funny…
he’s dreamy
The Sounds are classic
Love is All is my first AND second favorite Swedish band. Then The Knife. Then anything Terry Ericsson likes, because you know, he’s like the shit over there.
Envelopes! I love Envelopes!
The Cardigans. Best. Ever.
No votes for Jenny Wilson yet? Weird. I can’t stop listening to Love and Youth. I also love Robyn and the Sounds. And SKWBN. And pretty much everyone else that’s already been listed. It’s a sickness!
My vote is also for Jens Lekman. I haven’t had the luck to see Love Is All live, but I saw Jens this summer and I can’t imagine a better show for a cool summer evening. He and his troupe brought balloons and everything.
Not to be cliche’ but def Jens Lekman
I would have to give the Acid House Kings some love…while all I’ve been listening to lately is swedish and it pains me to rate them.
Definately Ace of Base. Their list of amazing songs is endless.
The Cardigans. Hands down. Also The Sounds, The Knife and José Gonzaléz…
The Wannadies.
Jens Lekman!
I would have to vote for The Sahara Hotnights
The Merrymakers – Andy Sturmer gave them a hand, and just for that he rules!
Gotta be Suburban Kids With Bilical Names.
I’d have to go with Love Is All after their killer SXSW set.
i’m a big fan of garmarna (remember ‘euchari’?).