I’m really enjoying the soon to be relesead Bonnie Prince Billy album, Beware. Due out on the 17th, it is as expansive as his past offerings. Lovely backing vocals & great lyrics. If you’ve never sampled, please do so. Below is the opening track, Beware Your Only Friend. Lyrics below. Enjoy.

1. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Beware Your Only Friend (Beware, 2009) via Drag City

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

i want to be
your olnly friend
is that scarry?
my active mind
don’t wish it so
watch out for
these silent thoughts
that’s where the seed of soul-sucking grows

when each who comes around you takes some of your life
that’s when i get angry, an outfit for my fright

you want to be
my daughter
come sit up on me
i hate it
but it’s so
i wanted you
as my mother
cheering me
as i go

when each who comes around you takes some of your life
that’s when i get angry, an outfit for my fright

picture us lounging
just sitting and listening
and loving what we hear
that has never happened
we both flail too much
we flail too much
to let the other near

i want to be
your only friend
beware of me
my quiet mind is
not fit to lead
take the warning
i’ve seen fit to lend
and from the stage we
now be free

Paper & Pen, 2009

In case you don’t know: Sweden’s critically acclaimed, infinitely excellent, brother-sister-duo, The Knife, (authors of the dark-but-danceable Deep Cuts (2003) and ’06’s Silent Shout), split shortly after their last album release. No need to worry though, sister Karin Elisabeth Dreijer Andersso went onto a solo career as Fever Ray, releasing a self titled debut just a few months ago.

There are some great songs on the record but what’s getting me most excited is the recent remixes that have emerged of If I Had A Heart. Particularly great is the one remixed by another one of my other favorite Swedish bands, Studio. Frontman Dan Lissvik puts his Yearbook 1 sensibilities to good work on this track. Hear for yourself.

1. Fever Ray - When I Grow Up (Dan Lissvik Remix) 2009

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Man with lightbulb eyes, 2008, Acrylic on canvas over panel, 12 by 14 inches.

Crystal Ball, 2008, Acrylic on canvas over panel, 19 by 17 inches

Rearing our ugly hands, 2008, Acrylic on Canvas, 12 by 13 inches

All images copyright © 2009 Ryan Mrozowski

to see more, visit Ryan’s website. lots of other good stuff.