YOU LOST ME AT HELLO

It's hard to believe that this Norwegian power trio has been together for over 20 years, forming in 2003. "You Lost Me At Hello" is their second studio album and first on the Rune Grammofon label. Mr. Hermansen the guitarist is something to hear. The soundscapes, distortion or those clean solos, whatever he is up to he commands our attention here. And this one along with the followup "Jitterbug" have their experimental, unmelodic guitar led moments to be sure. Not always an easy listen which is maybe why I lean towards "Thou Shalt Boogie!" and "A Little Bit Of Big Bonanza" as my top two.

We get 48 plus minutes here in this 2009 release with eight tracks. "Count The Holes In Your Head" is slow but it has this in your face guitar growling away. It's cleaner at 2 1/2 minutes and more interesting at 3 minutes. "Bolehogda Rock City" is a top three and there's so much going on at 3 1/2 minutes as the guitar rips it up. "Ginsberg" is one of those more difficult tracks for me, check it out at 3 1/2 minutes for evidence. "King Of Hello" is the most impressive piece on here in my opinion. Not always an easy listen and it's the longest approaching 11 minutes. Just so intense at times and that guitar screaming at one point. Some melody in the second half and the guitar is on fire around 9 1/2 minutes.

"No Sleep 'Till Hammerfest" just seems like terrible advise and the song is one of the more difficult pieces. I just feel like I got beaten black and blue when this one ends. But it's a lovely contrast to the next song "Champagne For My Real Friends" where it's like the sun comes out and we get some warmth and melody? Yes the storm has passed or has it? Nope! How cool are those wordless vocals going "La la la..." out of the chaos. Or the wailing guitar.

Such an entertaining band. There should be a warning label on this one. A solid 4 stars.