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2005 is not just for Lana Lane reason to throw a party. The Swedish
Kaipa may very well throw an even bigger party, as it is exactly 30
years ago, when their self-titled album was released. Now it seems
Kaipa has a thing for round figures, as in 2002 it was exactly 20
years since their last album, that they made a spectacular comeback
with Notes from the Past. This comeback had such an impact, they now
can celebrate their 30th anniversary.
With Keyholder Hand Lundin and Roine Stolt already showed the
resurrection of Kaipa was not a one time occasion. Despite all
members of the band, have their own bands and projects, here is the
third album, with once more the same line up. And once again they
have delivered an amazing album, which makes one wonder how much
more inspiration Lundin and Stolt have left? Honesty obliges me to
say that Keyholder unfortunately passed me by. So I will leave this
album out of my review. Still, I did notice the new album has a more
accessible sound, compared to Notes from the Past.
The music of Kaipa is (still) not easy to describe, as it contains
many different styles and angles. Prog rock, folk, jazz rock,
improvisation, everything is in it. But the compositions are from an
exceptionally high level, making the album solid as a rock. There is
plenty of room for the musicians to showcase their individual
talents.
I’m charmed
very much by the vocals.
Patrick Lundström (Ritual) and Aleena for a large and important
part, determine the characteristic sound of Kaipa and their voices
fit the music perfectly. Especially Lunström’s vocals at the jazzy
parts on the album!
Furthermore I have the idea Lundin’s keyboard play is a bit less
dominating in the pieces, although fortunately it is still
prominently present. But I notice there is more room for the other
instrumentalists, which results in a different sound than on Notes
from the Past. And that is a good thing, as it shows they are still
developing and absolutely do not stand still.
A
highlight to me is the title song ‘Mindrevolutions’, clocking almost
26 minutes. Here all styles melt together in one epic song. Great
solos, by guitar, bass and keys, and beautiful vocals. If you look
closer, you find that the entire album is filled wit pretty complex
music, but Lundin shaped it in such a way, that you hardly notice
that.
However, I do feel the need to place a remark here, with the success
of Kaipa! I hope they do not go down the same road The Flower Kings
did, but they make sure there is enough variation in their music. A
much heard complaint with many bands, including The Flower Kings, is
that at a certain point, all songs start to sound the same. Right
now I hear a lot of difference between Notes from the Past and
Mindrevolutions, so I’m not worried. But I hope that doesn’t change.
Kaipa is a band with a mind of it’s own, with as yet an unusual
sound, where it can rightly be said it is a top notch band, that
most certainly let’s the listener enjoy some pretty virtuoso music! |
