Vecka 48-49

Detta är sista ordinarie poplista innan delfinal 3 och därefter 2019 års stora final. Tre svenska akter; Mando Diao, Sara Parkman (OBS! Två låtar, som ni slår ihop när ni röstar) och rutinerade

progressiva rockbandet The Flower Kings. 

1 Jeff Lynne´s ELO (UK) Only the second album from ELO in two decades (third in more than 30 years), and right from the opening notes of starter From Out Of Nowhere it’s like Jeff Lynne has never been away. 

The wistfulness, the super-saturated sound, the layered harmonies and instrumentation, the timeless echo of pasts and retro-futures colliding. The humanity, the performed frailty at the heart of manufactured perfection. Lynne still has it. He still knows how to create the magic. Loudersound.com

2 Matt Maltese (UK)  We’ve all had our fill of breakup records, have we not? Matt Maltese, the London-based singer-songwriter whose 2018 debut Bad Contestant introduced a distinctive, sardonic new voice, one often referred to as the British Josh Tillman, has offered a new entry into the genre; one that at least maintains his singularity. Written and recorded in his Elephant and Castle bedroom, Krystal prospers through honesty; a direct and personal account of the last few months of Maltese’s life. Loudandquiet

3 Jimmy Eat World (US) The beloved Arizona emo band’s latest is a solid, self-aware effort, missing only a few risks. Formed in 1993, and featuring the same core members since ’95, Jimmy Eat World has enjoyed a course marked by steady output, frequent touring and quiet durability. The new album Surviving is both occasion for a survey of the beloved Arizona band’s two-decade-plus career and a further push into arena rock; a driving, if not always transportative, selection that should tour favorably. Pitchfork

4 Magpie Salute (UK) Rich Robinson and Magpie Salute, a gang of band members collected during Robinson’s time with the Black Crowes and subsequent solo ventures, are slated to release High Water II. The grungy bass and drums buzz, as do the vocals on “Life is a Landslide.” The lyrics are full of imagery, and steel drums chime about under a subdued guitar solo. If the vocals weren’t dead, It could be the next alt-rock anthem. The album ends with two powerhouse songs that are funky, bluesy, and heavy.  Bluesrockreview

5 Hawkwind (UK) The Road To Utopia, last year’s Mike Batt collaboration, wasn’t universally acclaimed among Hawkwind fans, despite some inventive treatments of old favourites. This set of new songs should fare better. As the band crank up the trusty sonic swirl backdrop that accompanies every other Hawkwind song like a soothing breeze, the chords climb towards the sun on the wah-wah soaked 65 Million Years Ago, while Flesh Fondue’s cannibal-themed dystopia is engagingly daft and satisfyingly full-throttled in tempo. Loudersound.com

6 Mando Diao (SWE) går tillbaka till rötterna, som det heter, på sitt nionde album. Det funkar riktigt bra. På sitt nionde album letar de sig ännu längre bakåt i historien, ända till den replokalsskramliga rocken med popambitioner på debuten ”Bring ’em in” 2002. Det går således inte att använda ord som ”överraskande” eller ”djärvt” i den här texten. Mando Diao-fansen möter ett band de känner igen. Med ”He can’t control you” och ”Society” visar han dessutom upp en lite vuxnare, mer reflekterande och patosfylld sida som gör helheten gott. ”Bang” är ett album där Mando Diao hittar hem till vad de förmodligen gör bäst, med förnyad energi. Aftonbladet

7 Bonnie ”Prince” Billy (US) The Americana outrider with the shining pate is now coupled up, with small fry on board. His newest album sings mellifluously of true love (“complete transfiguration”, according to You Know the One) and memory boxes, of building something lasting. “My cookie jar is here,” he sings on Dream Awhile, an adult lullaby extolling the succour of a good night’s sleep. A peak-Billy melody and Joan Shelley backing vocals compound the loveliness. Naturally, Oldham sees things differently to others – he has an “eye for the squid”, as the song of the same name puts it. The Guardian

8 Fontaines D.C. (IRE) Irish post-punks Fontaines D.C. lit up The Tonight Show on Wednesday with two rousing performances: “Boys in the Better Land” and “Liberty Belle.”

The former opened with frontman Grian Chatten shaking a tambourine as he barked surreal lyrics over churning major-key guitar chords. “If you’re a rock star, a porn star, a superstar — doesn’t matter what you are,” he sang. “Get yourself a good car and get outta here.”

For the latter, Chatten observed a widespread “ready-steady violence” over a melodic bassline, doubled electric guitars and a furious tom-snare pattern. “You know I love that violence that you get around here,” he snarled.  Rollingstone

9 Sara Parkman (SWE) gör svensk folkmusik bara mer och mer aktuell för varje projekt. Nu släpper hon tredje skivan, Vesper, som förövrigt är det latinska ordet för aftonbön. Vesper är till viss del inspelad i Nordingrå kyrka på Höga kusten. Bara en sån sak. Akustiken hörs i varenda låt, det är pampigare än både Sara Parkmans skog och Matriarkerna. Mer instrument, mer vemod, mer av allt. Genomarbetat ned till minsta stråk och körsång, inget lämnas åt slumpen men för det känns det inte styrt, snarare frisläppt. Känslomässigt. Nära. Kanske för att körerna spelade in i tio minusgrader i en gruva i Bergslagen. Kanske för att det är Saras pappa Lars Parkman som står för den vackraste körsången i introt till ”Jag ropar / Kyrie”. HYMN   OBS! TVÅ SÅNGER I ETT.

10. The Flower Kings (SWE)  Miracle of miracles, The Flower Kings are back! Yes, Roine Stolt has rejoined forces with Hasse Fröberg and Jonas Reingold to jump back into their world of adventures, filled with flower power and stardust. “Waiting for Miracles” is a classic The Flower Kings album. For fans of the early incarnation of the band, there is little reason for this new release not to go down easily and smoothly. First singles “Black Flag” and “Miracles for America” are accurate signposts for what lays within: loads of layered symphonic prog replete with effortless guitar solos, prominent punchy bass and keyboard magnificence as Stolt’s and Froberg’s vocals intertwine. Sonicperspectives.com

Ni har två veckor på er att lyssna och poängen lämnar ni senast söndag den 8 december.
Här är länken 

The Flower Kings