Živé Kvety - Oľga, ideš svojím tempom!

Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Style: Indie Rock
Label: Slnko Records

Despite the fact this band is around since 1994, this is their ninth (!) album and they come from Slovakia, which is not really foreign country to me, I have to admit I haven't heard much music from Živé Kvety untill now. But I think I'm going to dig their discography deeper after hearing this album. And yet it is just a bunch of (mostly calm) pop rock songs. Lacking better comparsion I tend to say they remind little bit of late Cat Power, but I'm not really sure it's very apt. I can't say it's flawless album, but it would be actually nice to have mainstream like this one day. Add some extra points if you understand sharp, often socialy critical lyrics. But even if you don't it's still worth a listen. Buy it here.

DVA - Botanicula

Location: Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Style: Dream Pop
Label: Minority Records

I'm not really convinced somebody is going to read this given a loooong hiatus of this blog and the fact this record is out for some time.... BUT there was never much logic behind Astral Europe so whatever.
I got this Botanicula record for Christmas and in the middle of March I'm still very excited about this. Freaky but cute tiny sounds, sometimes of mysterious origin are perfect equivalent of childishly charming design of actual Botanicula game. I have a weak spot for married couples bands and DVA are one, but you don't really need to have any weak spot to fall in love with this record. Buy the record and/or the game here.

Nils Frahm - Felt

Location: Berlin, Germany
Style: Ambient
Label: Erased Tapes

Whenever I hear of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky I don't think of Swan Lake. I think of this video. Since now, however, I might also think of Nils Frahm. This German pianist started as a student of Tchaikovsky's music and since then has moved towards more ambient music. Romantic piano tones are still very much present, but they are wrapped in delicious minimal electronics and sometimes even combined with exotic instrument called marimba. Silent and calming, this is just perfect soundtrack for falling asleep. And I mean it in a good way. Fellow readers in Prague might want to see his gig on 9th October in Palác Akropolis, together with A Winged Victory For The Sullen.

The Kurws - Dziura w Getcie

Location: Wroclaw, Poland
Style: Math Rock
Label: Trująca Fala
My first introduction to Wroclaw was rather bad. We had to sleep in the fields when local promoter didn't get us any place to sleep. It still hurts but the reputation of the city is saved now! Meet your new favourite freejazz-mathrock-noiserock-postpunk group The Kurws! Dziura w Getcie ("A hole in the ghetto") has to be one of the best recent records in this territory. I'm pretty much aware of the fact that sick saxophone howl, irregular twisted guitar riffs and animal drumming isn't everyone's cup of tea. But those who won't get this are missing a lot, trust me. Especially if you like Shellac, late John Coltrane or early The Mae Shi you should check this out. Besides, you just gotta love a Polish band with song titled "Lech Walesa". Here we go:

Killed By 9v Batteries - The Crux

Location: Vienna, Austria
Style: Noise Pop
Label: Siluh Records

The ex-center of Habsburg empire is not home only to Johann Strauss or Falco but also to some of the finest continental noise pop. I have briefly noticed Killed By 9v Batteries almost six years ago, kinda liked them and then completely forgot about them. Recently, the band has written an e-mail to us and asked for a concert in Prague (13.05. 2011 - the venue will be announced soon!). So I discovered their new album, The Crux, and I fell in love. If you like Pavement, Sonic Youth and 90s post-hardcore you won't be disappointed with this one. But beware: these guys are no cheap copycats. Now let the video speak: