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Since I'm from Sweden, I've heard a lot of swedish music, of course. Probably a lot more than people from other countries have. And while far from everything is brilliant, I've discovered that Sweden has a few bands that are really, really good. Bands that can be compared to any band in the USA or UK in the same kind of music. There are especially four bands that comes to my mind when I think of good swedish music, all in different genres. And with this blog post, I'm going to tell something about theese four bands, and post some youtube clips with them. Enjoy!




Jens Lekman (Pop)
For fans och Belle & Sebastian and The Magnetic Fields, I'd recommend this man. Jens Lekman, who by the way just got the swine flu, is one of very few artists that can make something really unique with just simple pop songs. I don't know if it is his voice, the melodies or the lyrics, but even if you feel like you've heard it a thousand times before, it still feels new and fresh. Combined with a great sense of humour he is really worth listening too. Jens Lekman's latest album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, is full of great pop songs and if you like what you hear now, then go buy it, or download it, or, well, I don't care, really, just listen to it.

You Are the Light (Music video)

A Postcard To Nina (Live)

Slipping on the Sweet Nectar (Music video)

Last.fm: Jens Lekman




Esbjörn Svensson Trio (Jazz)
Esbjörn Svensson Trio was that kind of band that mixed the best between pop and jazz music. The melodies and structure in pop combined with the talent in jazz. Totally wonderful. Personally, I like their latest albums mostly, especially Seven days of Falling and Tuesday Wonderland.There's something about their songs that just makes me want to listen to them over and over again. I like a lot of jazz, but this is the only jazz group I listen to when I want something more than just relaxing music. It's a great group to start with if you haven't listened to much jazz, too. The frontman Esbjörn Svensson died when diving at the age of 44 last year.

Elevation of Love (Live)

Tuesday Wonderland (Live)

Last.fm: Esbjörn Svensson Trio




The Tallest Man On Earth
I believe I'll have too admit one thing. One thing that's quite embarrising. I like The Tallest man On Earth more than Bob Dylan. The Tallest Man On Earth has just released one album and I already like him more than Bob Dylan. So. I've said it now. He have supported Bon Iver but if earth was just a little better place, it would be vice versa. You just have to hear this. And, one day, he will perhaps have Bon Iver as his support band. And perhaps Bob Dylan too. His lyrics are great, his voice is brilliant and his guitar playing even better. The Tallest Man On Earth is wonderful and I just can't wait for his next album.

I Won't Be Found

The Gardener (Live)

Pistol Dreams

Last.fm: The Tallest Man on Earth




The Knife (Electronic)
The Knife is a duo containing Olof Dreijer and Karin Dreijer. They are one of my absolute favourite bands. Known for not showing their faces and being very unpublic in general, they have gained some controversy when they won six swedish grammies and didn't show up. Still, they are so much more than just image. Their haunting melodies and unique sound, combined with their awesome live shows is what makes them so good. Though, I've never seen them live myself, but when looking at the live videos below, I think you'll understand what I mean.

Silent Shout (Live)

Pass This On ("Live" on a Swedish talk show)

Like A Pen (Music Video)

Kino (Live)

Heartbeats (Live)

Last.fm: The Knife




If you'd like to hear more Swedish music, I'd recommend just mentioned Karin Dreijer of The Knife's solo project called Fever Ray, which is just as good as the The Knife, the singer-songwriter José Gonzalez (who have done a great cover of The Knife's song Heartbeats) and Hello Saferide, a great pop artist with good lyrics too. Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn and John and Robyn are three pop bands that are quite popular right now (you should especially take a listen to Peter Bjorn and John, they're so much more than their hit Young Folks...). The Hives is a recommendation for everyone who likes great, simple rock music. And for fans of The Cure around their middle 80's period, Shout Out Louds is something they may like. If you like The Clash's first album, it may be a good idea to listen to The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Koop is a very talanted electronic jazz duo. Oh, and, of course, ABBA. But you already listen to them, right? If you're interested in bands singing in Swedish, I'd recommend Kent, bob hund, Ebba Grön/Imperiet and, of course, Jakob Hellman. And at last, I want to recommend two young bands who are both quite unkown, so far, which is a shame. One is the Radiohead/Sonic Youthish Sonjagon, who released their debut album Arches earlier this year. The other one sounds more like alternative new american bands, perhaps with some folk influences. Think Okkervil River. Or The National. Their name is Bored Man Overboard.

Here's the myspace's for the last mentioned bands:

http://www.myspace.com/sonjagon
http://www.myspace.com/boredmanoverboard

Well, that's all for now, I guess. Comment if you have any questions or anything like that. Bye!