The Universal Language

After desperately searching for new (any?) information on my favorite Scandinavian stud Jens Lekman's* forthcoming album, I began, as I often do on Myspace, perusing some of his top friends.


Unintentionally and perhaps providentially, I stumbled across an unusual musical discovery: The Sweptaways, a Swedish cover band of 30 harmonious women reinventing the wheel. Ok, maybe not the wheel, but they are transforming modern conceptions of the traditional choir.

Though this elusive girl group initially caught my attention because its members dress in garishly colored gowns and equally demonstrative headdresses, that isn't the sole reason I was so quickly charmed. That this bevy of young women have found a way to link Black Sabbath and the Pet Shop Boys without resorting to any hokey six-degrees-of-separation antics is quite enchanting to me.

The Sweptaway ladies have even stranger moves up their bell sleeves. A cappella renditions of ditties like "Let My Shoes Lead Me Forward," by fellow Swedish chanteuse Jenny Wilson, as well as the classic "You Don't Own Me," by candy-coated '60s chart-topper Lesley Gore (of "It's My Party" fame) are unexpected treats to say the least.

This odd assortment of tracks is sure to make for great conversation. The Sweptaways' sound isn't for everyone - I wouldn't expect any TV commercial spots a la The Polyphonic Spree anytime soon - but it's worth a listen simply based on intrigue alone. Peep the Kate Bush cover below.

From Ooh Aah (Buy @ Hybrism)
Wuthering Heights
+Myspace


And in other exciting girly singing news, the release date for Feist's latest, The Reminder, has been set for May 1. While I'm going to have difficulty waiting so long for fresh material from Canada's most capricious crooner (try to say that five times fast), I'm digging the preview of "My Moon My Man" on her Myspace. You'll probably dig it, too, if you hop on over.

Keep bootscootin',
Amy

*Speaking of Jens Lekman, in case you were wondering he has moved his "Myspace" here.