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Although there are a lot of new releases around, it
seems as if a lot of record labels prefer some heavier material.
Fortunately, the Swedish Progress Records are still holding on to the
real progressive rock. Cross, Galleon and Grand Stand have already
released a lot of splendid prog albums. The last Grand Stand release
“Tricks of Time” was praised by the whole prog press. Out of that
success rose the project Spektrum, a collaboration of the members from
the 3 previously mentioned bands and the female vocalist Lizette von
Panajott. The name Spektrum not only refers to the optical term, but
also to the different musical background of the band members. And the
result is excellent: melodic and refreshing progressive rock with strong
compositions and a spotless production.
After a short symphonic introduction “Spektrum”, the
album starts with “Land of Longing”, a track with actually some hit
potential, flavoured with a Genesis sauce. Lizette immediately puts down
a strong, vocal performance, it’s hard to compare her with other female
vocalists, but Alanis Morissette probably is the best choice. The song
starts with a Porcupine Tree intro, the vocals sound a bit poppy and the
accompanying keyboards give you an eighties feeling. But the chorus is
again some real Genesis and keeps on popping up in your head. The
instrumental passages in the middle and at the end have some Grand Stand
influences, but that’s normal as Olov is one of the composers of the song.
A quiet keyboard brings us to the first tones of
“Now”, which have a suspicious resemblance with the beginning of “Fool
on the Hill” by The Beatles. Pure coincidence? The peace changes very
fast, the tempo clearly rises when Hansi Cross releases his demons.
Although this song is full of rhythm changes and surprising turns, it
still has an easy listening feeling. This song was initially meant for
the next Cross album. Olov again plays a beautiful, melodic keyboard
solo, in the style of “Tricks of Time” by Grand Stand. The guitar solo
by Hansi also steps in the footsteps of that album, these Swedish
musicians really took out a patent on beautiful guitar solos with long
notes with a lot of sustain, so no plucking.
It’s not evident to point out a peak from this album,
because all the songs are very strong, but “Perpetuum Mobile” is
certainly one of the nominees. It starts with a quiet melody from a
musical box, joined by the electric piano and later other keyboards. One
by one, instruments are added, the volume’s rising, the drums get more
aggressive and a steady bassline is put underneath. A bit later, a
melodic guitar solo is started, this song reminds me of the better
Camel. Then the voices are joining in and a wonderful, beautiful
guitarsolo is giving the finishing touch. At the end, we’re back to the
musical box. This is a song that makes my flesh creep.
Spektrum is clearly emphasizing on the making of real
songs. “The Quest” is also a very catchy track, although all the songs
still keep a high progressive grade. The solos are intentionally not too
long, but they are nevertheless of a high quality.
“Ivory Tower” starts with some
harmonic vocals, in the style of RPWL. A threatening guitar accompanies
a strong Lizette, who’s on the midway between the already mentioned
Alanis and Anneke van Giersbergen from The Gathering. The entire song
has something dark and a distorted guitarsound only accentuates this
feeling. And also Pink Floyd comes round the corner for a moment, when
the psychedelic keyboard solo sets off. This is again a song that was
meant for the new Cross album.
I hope he still kept something for himself.
:-)
“A Chemical Release” is, once more, an up-tempo song,
that makes me think of a song out of a rock musical, but there ends
every comparison, because the prog always prevails. Again, this is a
melodic, perfect composition, brilliant solos on guitar and keyboards
and splendid vocals or to make a long story short, it’s like the
synthesis of the whole album. I should also mention the rhythm section
(drums and bass). Although they don’t come in front individually, they
play an important part on the whole of the CD.
It must be clear by now, this is a little masterpiece
from Sweden. This land abounds in talent, especially when we talk about
progressive rock. This CD is really the prototype, it will be difficult
to keep “Spektrum” out of my top 3 of 2003. The year has only started,
but the others will have to come up with something really good to
compete with this one. My advice is, buy it!
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