THE GUITAR IS MIGHTIER THAN THE GUN

This Swedish Space Rock band may have graced us with only three studio albums(05/06/09) but they sure have had an impact with yours truly. It was over 15 years ago I reviewed their middle album "Impressionable Sounds Of The Subsonic" on here excitedly giving it 5 stars originally but at some point dropping that to 4.5 stars. That album was so heavy and melodic with great vocals, I was so impressed. It got me kick started into this style of music as I ended up getting into HIDRIA SPACEFOLK, KINGSTON WALL, ELECTRIC ORANGE, 35007 and ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE. Yes HAWKWIND too who have influenced a ton of Space Rock bands.

"The Guitar Is Mightier Than The Gun" is the Swedes final record(so far) from 2009 and it's a departure from what they did before this as we get three long tracks with some jamming and improvised sounding material added. They also have added some non-Space Rock styles throughout making this somewhat unique sounding and it doesn't always work which is why I rate "Impressionable Sounds Of The Subsonic" higher. These non-Space Rock styles just seem to just pop up and they are more playful, less serious usually than what went before.

A five piece with two vocal guests and no less than four of the band members add synths to this recording besides their main instruments. The singer/guitarist adds FX as well and he will go on to play with ORESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE at some point. A talented man. "Demons & Haze" opens with drum rolls galore before it kicks into an uptempo HAWKWIND-like groove. A change after a minute with pulsating keys and more as vocals arrive. A spacey calm before 3 minutes as it changes completely again. Man when the vocals arrive it's so anthemic. Best part of the song reminding me of their previous album. Vocals step aside before 5 1/2 minutes as the guitar solos on and on until after 7 minutes.

"Turn Left To The Mexican Barbeque" is such a funny title coming from a band out of Sweden. Very trippy with strummed guitar, a psychedelic haze really. Vocals after a minute. Backing vocals as well including one of the talented female guests. Nice picked guitar solo 2 minutes in. It turns more intense before 3 minutes. before easing up a minute later with more of that picked guitar. It kicks in hard after 4 1/2 minutes with some killer guitar. So many twists and turns and this will continue. I like that they included the excited talk of the band members when the song ends. The title track is over 23 minutes long and like the last track it's an adventure but maybe the one that works the least because it's on this one that the different styles are added which don't always work. Still what a track, I mean all over the place yet we get repeated themes trying to keep it all together. A lot of highs on this track.

I'd love if these guys got back together and did another one like "Impressionable Sounds Of The Subsonic". This release might not equal that one but man this is a keeper that I'm very glad I own.