Blog: Athens66

We just got the new video from Stockholm based indiepop band Robert Church & The Holy Community for his song "From Glasgow To Täby". The track will be out on Fox Pop in 2012. Dreamy lo-fi pop from Sweden...just the way we like it! Artist.Site

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"Troubled singer Amy Winehouse, who has battled drink and drug problems, is found dead at her London home at the age of 273, said the BBC. Another genuine talent lost at an early age. Although in the case of Amy, it was unfortunately not a surprise since her problems with drugs and alcohol were pilling up. Hopefully the world will not remember her for how she finished her last gig but for her brilliantly unique voice. Back to black it is then.. Artist.Site

Yesterday's plan in Greece was straightforward: let the police loose outside the parliament so that we can continue to loot inside it. And it seemed to work as the new austerity measures were overwhelmingly voted by the government party. So who cares if we don't have democracy anymore...the only thing that matters is that those in power remain in power. It's been this way for years and yet people continued to vote in favor of them. I guess it's time for them to understand (the bitter way) that when you raise a monster be prepared to be ravaged by it [...]

Can't really think what to write about this. A Brand new single from Beirut titled East Harlem and a new album coming in August (The Rip Tide). A bit over three minutes of gorgeous bronze melodies...simply perfect! Artist.Site

• Beirut - East Harlem

Athens66 is used to listening to bands coming from different parts of the world. However, today's band really surprised us. Once you start listening to the Lollipops' debut album Hold! it will be really difficult to guess that all this 502s and 602s inspired rock is coming from Poland. The band has been around for a couple of years and after 2-3 EPs they presented last month their first full work. I have to admit that I instantly loved their style. Pure melodic rock with a nostalgic feeling, great hooking melodies and solid female vocals. What else do you need? [...]

It's been my favorite track the last few days so I thought I'd share it with you. The Valley from the great new album by Okkervil River titled I am Very Far. Turn it up! Artist.Site

We just received the upcoming album from a new band from Brooklyn called ArpLine. The album is titled Travel Book and includes their first singles Make it Rain and Fold Up like a Piece of Paper, which we thought of sharing with you. A mix of 702s rock with modern pop makes this one instantly enjoyable, although not the most original work out here. Still they are worth a few spins, especially on a Monday morning! Arpline - Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper [...]

• ArpLine - Fold Up Like A Piece of Paper

Kordan have just released a new video to their shoegazing track Closer. Beautiful track for a lazy Sunday afternoon from their amazing debut The Longing. The band is also working on their follow-up , so hopefully we'll soon have some new tracks as well. Until then, enjoy! Artist.Site

I was wondering when Battles will finally release some new material. The (now) trio has released the first single titled Ice Cream from the upcoming album Gloss Drop. The single has a summer breeze indeed (featuring Matias Aguayo on vocals) and the full work will be released June 7 on Warp Records. The lyrics are in Spanish (if you're wondering)...but then again what's the point of lyrics in a Battles song? Artist.Site

We just received the new video from Acid House Kings's latest single Would you say stop, directed by Philip Ekström (The Mary Onettes, Det Vackra Livet) and featuring a penguin in a Roy Andersson film. Pure Sweden! Artist.Site

One of the most anticipated releases of the year, well for Athens66 at least, is finally here. The brilliant NYC band Pains of Being Pure at Heart is following up their magnificent debut after 2 years with Belong, available March 29th on Slumberland records. We won't go into too many details, since we are still on the first spins, but let's just say it sounds amazing. A bit more diverse than their debut, with a touch more grunge than shoegaze. Some tracks give a 902s Smashing feeling, but then again this glimpse from the past for inspiration was one of [...]

Music in commercials has always been interesting. From the 502s jingles to the Dandy Warhols, more and more bands are finding their way to the charts through commercials, including the Los Campensinos sell-out for a Bud commercial last year (who would have expected that?). And doing it once seems to be just on the edge of being fine, but how about twice? and with completely different brands? I'm talking about the new Heineken commercial featuring (and I mean literally featuring singing inside the commercial) The Asteroid Galaxy Tour with their song The Golden Age. A Danish band promoting a Dutch [...]

PJ Harvey is one of those women that seem to get better with age (a rare kind). And I'm not only referring to her looks (let's be honest...she's not really your next top model) but mostly to her music. Or at least this is what Polly is proving to us all with her latest (eighth) studio album titled Let England Shake. I have to admit that I was a bit let down by her previous two albums. It seemed that Polly was losing her rock touch and turning too sentimental for my tastes. However, as [...]

One of our favourite Swedish bands is coming out with a new album next month. Acid House Kings are launching their Music Sounds Better with You album on the 22nd of March and have just released a new single (out on the 3rd of March) titled Would you say Stop? A beautiful pop melody that only the Swedes know how to deliver. Love it! Acid House Kings - Would you say stop? Artist.Site

• Acid House Kings - Would you say stop?

An amazingly boring video for a nice song. The first single from the upcoming The King Of Limbs album from Radiohead was released a couple of days ago. The track is Lotus Flower and features Thom Yorke improvising some jazzy/free dances. I was bored in less than a minute by what I was seeing but the song ain't bad (although not very original based on Radiohead standards). Will be waiting for the full album though since this band never stops to amaze me (and most of the world). Let's see..

I haven't written about movies I've seen for a long time now, although there have been some good ones. However, I just couldn't resist mentioning Blue Valentine. A sweet, truthfull, melancholic view of how you can hurt people even if you love them to death. A classic indepedent viewpoint from Derek Cianfrance which removes all unessary elements and keeps the film focused on the emotions of the starring couple. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are just perfect for the role (with Michelle starting to be one of my favorite 'alternative' stars in the last few years) and Grizzly Bear's soundtrack [...]

Our friend Alt Altman from Digits has just shared with us his latest single Lost Dream. A beautiful pop melody with a dreamy touch. Another great track from Digits...can't wait for the follow-up of Hold It Close! You can down the song for free along with more tracks from Digits at his site . We've also just learned that a new EP is scheduled for release this spring with the album probably following after the summer! Something to look forward for in 2011.. [...]

Happy New Year to everyone! It's been a quite busy couple of months that kept us away from Athens66. Hopefully 2011 will change all this and we'll be right back on track. Just to fire things up, here's a parody version of Kayne West's latest video to Monster. I have to be honest, I liked his album but I simply can't see why everyone is calling it a masterpiece. Well, perhaps it's just me...

Wild Nothing are Jack Tatum's band from Virginia, which has been hailed by Stereogum and Pitchfork and is pretty amazing (despite Stereogum's and Pitchfork's hail). His debut album Gemini is as solid as a debut can get and the song Chinatown in particular is by far one of my favorite tracks of the year. Enjoy it! Artist.Site