Björn to Rock

THE SCANDINAVIAN INVASION ARRIVES

This year, America went wild for a new underground music scene coming straight out of ... Scandinavia. Yes, the region of the world known mostly for clogs and Ingmar Bergman is exporting the most energetic rock music on the planet. And while Sweden's current darlings, the Hives (see "The Music Portfolio"), may be at the forefront of the Nordic invasion, they are only the tip of the fjord.

Sweden's Sahara Hotnights, an all-girl outfit that plays Ramones-style punk, made their Stateside debut in September with their kinetic sophomore album, Jennie Bomb. Other high-octane Swedish bands forging transatlantic appeal this year included the Hellacopters, the Soundtrack of Our Lives, Division of Laura Lee, and the (International) Noise Conspiracy. From the other side of the peninsula, Norway's Cato Salsa Experience introduced its brand of danceable, 60s-style garage rock with its album, A Good Tip for a Good Time. Danish power duo the Raveonettes released their album, Whip It On, in August. And this month, Finland's garage-rock torchbearers, the Flaming Sideburns—who share with the Hives a penchant for over-the-top rocker names (e.g., guitarist Johnny Volume and bassist the Punisher)—release their boldly titled CD Save Rock W Roll. A noble mission, but Cato Salsa Experience front man Cato Thomassen feels rock 'n' roll is doing just fine in the Land of the Midnight Sun. "Over here it doesn't seem like people get tired of it," says Thomassen. "It's very inspiring to see young kids that grew up with hip-hop pick up those old rock 'n' roll things. That kind of energy, I think it's such an important element of music—it's good to have in your pocket so you can kick some ass every once in a while." Skoal to that!

JOHN GILLIES