Those Darlins – Those Darlins (2009) & Screws Get Loose (2011)

Two records bought together after a recommendation. The group is fronted by three girls (with the last name as Darlin a-la Ramones) and with a guy on drums. The music is some kind of mix between country, rockabilly, garage and punk, which sits fine with me. The second record is more mature (in a positive way) with a nice ‘modern’ girl-group 60’s sound (especially ‘Let U Down’). Both records are well-invested money and I’m eagerly awaits this groups development. Recommended!

‘Those Darlins’ rating 6/10

‘Screws Get Loose’ rating 7/10

‘Those Darlins’ available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Those-Darlins-Dig/dp/B00284G2DU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306234488&sr=1-3

‘Screws Get Loose’ available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Screws-Get-Loose-Those-Darlins/dp/B004MPAFV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306234488&sr=1-1

Glasvegas - Euphoric/Heartbreak (2011)

I had great expectations on Glasvegas new record since I liked their first one a lot (and especially the Christmas special version - A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss). However, this new one is slightly disappointing (perhaps due to my high expectations) but I fell that it’s just more of the same with no positive development. As with the first record you need to listen to it a couple of times and be in the right mood to enjoy it but you should expect more evolution after having waited three or four years for a new record.


Rating: 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=glasvegas

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The Vaccines - What did you expect from... (2011)

The record I’ve listen to most this year so far. A very positive surprise which I like a lot. The Vaccines is classic noise pop somewhere between Ramones and Jesus and the Mary Chain and that is always brilliant. The first track (Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)), which clocks in on a stunningly 1:22(!) makes me happy every time I hear it. Genius! Other very good track are “If you wanna” and “Norgard”. Not a perfect record but this kind of records always have special place in my collection. Recommended!

Rating: 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Did-You-Expect-Vaccines/dp/B004HYGF18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304156451&sr=1-1

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Dropkick Murphys - Going out in style (2011)

New record from Boston’s Irish punk-rockers. Typical in sound and style and if you like this kind of rougher Pouges-style punk this is a well-invested buy. I especially likes when the tempo goes up a bit in “The hardest Mile”, “Sunday Hardcore Matinee” and “The Irish Rover” (not as good as the Pouges version with the Dubliners).

Rating: 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Out-Style-Dropkick-Murphys/dp/B004JQJFCU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1304079958&sr=1-1

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My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys (2010)

Latest record from My Chemical Romance, which I’ve had since it was released early this year. Good record even if I haven’t listened to it as much as I did with “The Black Parade is Dead”. Much the same of everything so if you like the group you need to buy this record. Good clean fun!

Rating: 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Danger-Days-Lives-Fabulous-Killjoys/dp/B0044KU7KU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1304077843&sr=1-1

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Fats Domino - Rare Dominoes vol 1 & 2 1949-57

Double CD with remastered collection of rare songs by Fats Domino. Fats Domino is one of my favorites especially his earlier recordings when he is in the borderland between boogie woogie and rockabilly. This collection didn’t add anything to the records I had previously but is still a nice addition.

Rating: 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/RARE-DOMINOS-VOLS-1-2/dp/B004AGN9JO/ref=sr_1_13?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1304077387&sr=1-13

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John Lindberg Trio - Made For Rock N Roll (2011)

Latest record from Swedish rockabilly-heroes. This record is more traditional rock but their sound is still very characteristic. I've listen to this record much more than I thought I should after hearing it for the first time. Recommended!

Rating: 7/10

Available from: http://www.ginza.se/Product/Product.aspx?Identifier=11080

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/0AS8QZciY767t0jXeLJ5Zx

Momo Lamana - Two Is A Gang (2006)

Record by Belgian garage/punk duo, which I bought on recommendation from a blog. Nice minimalistic bluesy punk-rock, i.e. a nice find. The record includes a cover of Marc Bolan's "We luve to boogie". The longest track on the record clocks in at 2:41! Nice!

Rating: 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-Gang-Momo-Lamana/dp/B0014DAI7W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1302628702&sr=1-2

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/06rmV9mPagSyJXdHjM73FG

Sonic Surf City - Pororoca! (2010)

Something I never thought should happen! A new record from Sonic Surf City! One of my favorite band of all time (guess why I'm using the name Surfcity on the webb!). I discovered them when I lived in Linköping back in the 90's and I actually saw them there live sharing the bill with Psychotic Youth, which combined gets as close as perfection you can get...

This new record is more 'mature' but considering that it's 14 years since the last 'real' record it still sounds great with their combination of 'sun, fun and o'yeah'. I was actually somewhat worried before I received it since it's no fun when your old heroes reduces themselves to have-beens but I shouldn't have worried and I spent much of December listening to the record with a great smile on my face. If you ever have listened to the group and liked it, this is a must!

Rating 9/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pororoca-Sonic-Surf-City/dp/B004362E8I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296159416&sr=1-1

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/1SpQDQ4P4O8mUkyS3pKumm

The Parting Gifts - Strychnine Dandelion (2010)

Another "side-project" of Greg Cartwright from garage/punk band The Reigning Sound. I'm very fond of his eager/urgent voice and rough guitar sound which still can be transformed into nice pop-song (listen to his and his band backing Mary Weiss excellent "Dangerous Game". On this record, he shares the vocals with Coco Hames, who is new to me (thus I need to check her up...). A nice and pleasant surprise and now I eagerly awaits the next Reigning Sound record. Recommended if the you like the garage sound of Cartwright's other records.

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strychnine-Dandelion-Parting-Gifts/dp/B0041CNAHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296072253&sr=1-1

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/430Hvw7A58dIoa1Kvz1yuA

The Revelators - Let A Poor Boy Ride... (2009)

Stripped down trio (vocals, guitar and drums) The Revelators is a nice acquaintance with their bluesy and punky sound (almost like a rougher version of the White Stripes). This is the second record I've bought by them and it's as though as the first one. The CD is ended by two excellent songs in a cover of "Rainin' in my heart" and "Jitterbug Swing". Recommended if you liked "We told you not to cross us".

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Poor-Boy-Ride-Revelators/dp/B00005O55T/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1295985569&sr=1-4

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/49MBRE4soh3XXDTpHwy3na

Frankie Rose and the Outs (2010)

A record, which I only listened once or twice when I bought it (on recommendation) and thought nothing more of it. However, last couple of days I've listened on it on repeat and I like it very much. Classic girl pop in a fuzzy disguise like the Ronettes actually meeting the Raveonettes (with Glasvegas in there somewhere). Especially "Girlfriend Island" is a masterpiece. Recommended!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frankie-Rose-Outs/dp/B003UW1R4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295900282&sr=1-1

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/4rBjVifZd7GaZv2kwmKmZK