The Good …

Imagine if you will a land of deep forests and snowy mountains where a few scattered human communities sit out the long winter nights and tell stories to one another of heroes and trolls. Emile Nikolaisen of Norway’s Serena-Maneesh is no stranger to such landscapes. In his music he attempts to capture something of Norway’s bleak majestic life. He is influenced by classical Norwegian musicians as well as bands such as Suicide and Jesus and Mary Chain. The new album (with its unwieldy title S-M 2: Abyss In B Minor) was recorded in a cave outside of Oslo. Nikolaisen found himself drawn to the location : “I instantly just felt like I have to record some stuff here. It was a messy place, moss on the walls. It stank there, and all these things that we tend to like as rock ’n’ rollers. You know — all these stupid things that we romanticize.”

The album hits you with its layers of noise and demands your full attention. If you accept the invitation you’ll be rewarded by music that is at times atmospheric, at times dark, at times tender, at times thrilling. Highly recommended is Reprobate with its swirling synths and pummelling drums. Melody for Jaana has a slower guitar sound accompanied by haunting male and female vocals. Blow Yr Brains in the Morning Rain is a thunderous clash of sound. Each of the 8 tracks is different, but they sit together very well. The vocals are really important in giving the tracks song structure, melodies and emotional depth. Remarkable bird, the Norwegian blue …

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Buy S-M 2 : Abyss in B Minor on Amazon

The Bad …

Will Justin Bieber still be around in 10 years time ? Or will he have sunk without trace, like any number of pre-teen heartthrobs before him ? If he is still around, count on it that his innocent puppydog image will be well and truly trashed. By then he’ll be screwing around, be high or drink or drugs, and be starting out on the plastic surgery route. At least it may give him something real to sing about …

The Canadian teen idol has just turned 16, but sings like a pre-pubescent 13 year old. If pushed, I’ll admit that if the computer-enhanced girlish voice doesn’t offend you there’s not too much wrong with his singing. But no way is My World 2.0 a great pop record. ABC by the Jackson Five was a great pop record – but that was a classic song perfectly produced. Compare the lyrics of Bieber’s Eenie Meenie :

You cant make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind
Please dont waste my time, time, time, time, time
Im not tryin to rewind, wind, wind, wind, wind
I wish our hearts could come together as one

Cause shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lova
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lova
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lova
Shorty is a eenie meenie miney mo lova

Not all the songs on My World 2.0 are as fatuous as this. But in some ways it’s even worse when Bieber sings about lovers and love affairs, as he does on Runaway Love, Stuck in the Moment and That Should Be Me. He has no emotional connection to such songs : how could he ? These banal pop r&b numbers would be instantly forgettable – were it not for that boyish mop of hair and those oh-so-irritating vocals of his.

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Buy My World 2.0 on Amazon

And the Outlandish …

Tijuana Sound Machine – Nortec Collective present Fussible and Bostich

This video is guaranteed to bring a big broad smile to your face. We love the way at the beginning he introduces Bostich, Fussible, – and the Sound Machine ! Then those crazy clips of dancers with all their OTT moves, which succeed as if by magic in fitting in with the music. Watch the faces on them all when the guy does his breakdancing thing – it’s priceless.

Fussible and Bostich, who are based in Tijuana in Mexico and recorded this under the moniker Tijuana Sound Machine, are part of the Grammy nominated Nortec Collective – a name intended to reflect their particular style of music, a fusion of Norteño (“from the North”) and Techno, or Mexican music meets cutting edge electronica.

Here is a new artist that will be showing up a lot more in the future. A 15 year old from Canada, Justin Bieber had a lot of attention from the music industry as Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Scooter Braun were all trying to sign him. Already with two songs that have placed on the Billboard Top 100, “One Time” currently sits at #23 and the buzz around Bieber is growing rapidly. His debut album “My World” will be released on November 17th. Can’t wait to see how many girls who can legally drink lose it for this kid who cannot legally drive. -cia