Look, sometimes smorgasbord really is the only word for it...

A blissful show from latest Swedish phenom Loney, dear at the Water Rats. On easily the best form this blog has yet witnessed, the quintet quickly reached a perfect pop pitch and pretty much stayed across the hour or so. The levitating peak for this blog came about three-quarters of the way in with Carrying a stone, its tambo-powered vocal refrain utterly transcending the prevalent modesty of the circumstances. Yes, you missed out. The good news is that they're back quite soon headlining a Swedish night at the ICA May 24 which also features the Shout Out Louds and...

...Maia Hirasawa (fine Swedish name) whose irresistible single And I found this boy is just the sort of thing to brighten any seedy public lavatory facility...

Maia will also be part of an earlier handclaptastic Swedish triple bill at the Water Rats May 14 featuring Hello Saferide and also Raymond & Maria [go]...

And possibly, possibly Martin Gustafsson aka Boy Omega [go] may yet find somewhere to play May 7 or 8 in addition to opening the Maria Taylor tour. Last year's fat-free mini-album The grey rainbow clocked in joint second for '06 on this blog's year-end list and next full-length Hope on the horizon is coming in September via Glitterhouse...

Ok, Matt Pond isn't Swedish but he probably wouldn't mind being, given its topographical Canadian-ness 'n' all. Magic boyfriend is brand new and, well, you know by now, surely...

Thanks to Artrocker magazine for restoring some credibility to the devalued commodity that is the covermount cd. This was fast becoming a prime candidate for Room 101 (along with frisbee tossers, stupid little suitcases with wheels on, etc); reallyrather would much prefer Word magazine, Mojo et al to drop these peculiarly unsatisfying offerings and just lop a pound off the cover price. But the latest edition of Artrocker - only £1.95 - meanwhile offers up 75 zesty minutes of 'unsigned' UK action with myriad highlights: Popular Workshop, Zapped by a Million Volts, Yes you talk to fast from Johnny Foreigner, The Chapman Family's The kids are (not alright) and Pete & the Pirates' Knots... Look 'em up. But reallyrather pins the 'Best in Show' rosette (and bonkers band name of the year award) on Glasgow's Dananananaykroyd. Totally bone is a murderously melodic slice of shouty post-rockin' hardcore-lite(!), twin drummers and some busy, busy muso tendencies channelled to fantastic effect. Exclusive to Artrocker, apparently, so go go go...
[Dananananaykroyd]

The Luminaire. July 12. Wheat.