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Anekdoten - Vemod CD (album) cover

VEMOD

Anekdoten

 

Heavy Prog

4.06 | 484 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
3 stars It is amazing how many interesting bands a country as Sweden has generated (considering their small population).

"Anekdoten" debut album is 200% Crimson inspired and I can understand that a reviewer compared them to a Crimson tribute band. I wouldn't go to this extend, but it is true that this filiation is rather invading.

They actually mix the melodic and heavy sides of the masters. The opening track "Karelia" combines these two elements : beautiful mellotron intro followed by heavy and repetitive guitar riffs like .

And that's a bit the problem. This album sounds a bit too much like.I guess that if IQ sounds derivative to Genesis, the same applies with "Anekdoten" vs "Crimson". Both "The Old Man and the Sea" and "Where Solitude Remains" sounding too much of the same to be really breathtaking.

One of my fave (probably because it's the most symphonic) is the short "Thoughts in Absence". It has all the subtlety of a song like "I Talk To The Wind" (flute excepted). A very sweet song which totally contrasts with the strengths of "The Flow". The annoying side of VDGG is very much present here as well.

The melancholic and sad mood of "Longing" is limit depressive, but I happen to like it very much. The combination cello / acoustic guitar is so poignant. This is another tranquil song from this album, and my second fave.

"Wheel" is also brilliant. Both facets of the band are again highlighted. Strong but melodic lines are such great ingredients! This song is also magnificently powerful, yet the déjà vu feeling is impossible to avoid.

Their debut album is a good one. I wouldn't say that it is a masterpiece. If I could, I would rate this album with seven out of ten, just shy of the fourth star rating. But you might like it better if Crimson is one of your absolute fave (which is not my case) and if obvious derivative work doesn't bother you too much.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 |

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