SOMA FORMS

SOT

RIO/Avant-Prog

3.39 | 3 ratings

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Steve Conrad

Sounds of the SOMA Tubmarine

Serious Fun

I know- progressive rock in its many forms and subgenres- is SERIOUS! Serious musicianship with serious musicians who devote serious amounts of time, energy, and hard-earned cash to the creation of serious music.

So what is the 'fun' this gently warped reviewer speaks of?

Tubmarine, Anyone?

Yes, this motley trio of fine Norwegian lads has been bringing serious FUN to progressive music since, well...the early nineteen nineties? when three intrepid musical high-school students hung out and made music.

Three full-length albums later, they now have released "Soma Forms" with their new drummer Arild Nyborg. This track is apparently one of a series of tunes to be released on the way to a forthcoming album in 2021.

So What IS a 'Tubmarine'?

Not sure.

But here's what I do know: SOMA is/was some sort of mysterious drink used to induce spiritual ecstasy in Hindu worshippers, to bathe them in light, spiritual energy, contact with the divine bliss, the source of all creation.

Hmm. Serious stuff, I guess.

But somehow, "Soma Forms" is a wildly entertaining track with this madcap trio creating energizing, varied, fresh, sublime sounds, in which the flow which moves from the opening complex guitar, tuba, and drum riff, through some jazz-inflected breakdowns, into dual guitar lines and wandering, walking tuba bass lines, into a dreamy (get it?) reverie with what sounds like mellotron...all the way to its majestic, magisterial close six minutes and change later.

Damned if I Know

This may well comprise some 'serious' interpretation of soma forms, this track we are now humorously, seriously considering. There are moods and worlds within the music, and it's a whale of a great piece.

In Conclusion

Bring on the album! Serious fun to be had, right here.

Steve Conrad | 4/5 | 2020-11-30

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