THORS HAMMER

This was such a surprise as I just wasn't expecting a lot. I had heard the opener "Mexico" previously, and while I liked it, it did have this commercial sounding chorus, and I sort of expected this would be status quo for the whole album. Not! Recorded in January and February of 1971 at Metronome studios in Copenhagen, this would be the only album that this Danish band would release. The drummer is responsible for the unfortunate cover art. A six piece with the vocalist doing just that, plus a sax player, along with the usual instruments.

The sax brings in a nice jazz flavour and some of these guys would go on to play in jazz bands like DROPS, ENTRANCE and HEAVY JOKER. Perhaps the biggest pleasure I got from this was that OUT OF FOCUS sound because of the vocals mostly towards the end of the longest piece, the 13 minute "Not Worth Saying", and it continues with the next song "Blind Gypsy Woman". Many do not like the singer, but I do. And while the opener has a radio friendly chorus, I looked forward to hearing this each time. An interesting guitar solo as well around 2 1/2 minutes in.

The 13 minute second track is such an adventerous piece. I still haven't really grasped it yet, but it is full of highlights. The guitar, sax, organ and upfront bass all shine here. How about that guitar solo after 6 1/2 minutes. That OUT OF FOCUS vibe starts around 11 1/2 minutes, and continues to start "Blind Gypsy Woman". And really my top three are the final three tracks beginning with this one. The OUT OF FOCUS style is heard early and late on this one with the middle being such a treat as this band sets the soundscape on fire. So much going on as well.

"Believe In What You Want" just sounds amazing throughout it's 9 minute run. The sax and organ especially. I also love that calm around 7 minutes in with electric piano, sax, bass and beats. So good! The closer "Evasive Dreams Beyond" is the shortest track at 3 1/2 minutes. Sounds like a jam, and we get more electric piano thankfully with sax again. It's a beautiful thing. Well I just found a new band and album that I can point to as being one of the best from Denmark. The jazz element makes this one a keeper in my musical world. Closer to 4.5 stars.

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