MAMMOTH

I must admit I am completely smitten with this album. I've been a fan of these Swedes for a long time now and enjoy their sense of humour and lights out instrumental work.Yes the vocals are great too.The previous album was excellent but I had some issues with it. Well lets just say that I have no issues or complaints about "Mammoth" and rate it right up there with "Sleeping In Traffic Part II".This has simply been a joy to listen to instrumentally, especially the guitar which I find so inventive this time around. I just think that the bottom line is that BEARDFISH are an extremely talented bunch of guys and the sky really is the limit for them.

"The Platform" is a great way to start with the dual guitars as the drums and bass join in. Love the tone of the guitar before a minute.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as it settles in. Check out the guitar after 5 1/2 minutes. It ends in a haunting way. Amazing tune ! "And The Stone Said : If I Could Speak" sounds so good early on. Where to begin ? The instrumental display to start is incredible. It settles back 3 1/2 minutes in as mellotron, drums, bass and keys standout. Reserved vocals after 4 1/2 minutes. Sax before 8 minutes then it kicks in before 10 minutes. Love the instrumental section after 11 minutes. Sax after 14 minutes. Check out the organ to end it.

"Tightrope" is fairly normal sounding as we get reserved vocals and a laid back sound. I like when it changes after 1 1/2 minutes.The guitar leads before 2 1/2 minutes briefly then back to that opening soundscape. "Green Waves" has a nice heavy intro and the vocals come in before a minute and they are aggressive.The guitar sounds great after 3 1/2 minutes and after 5 1/2 minutes and 7 minutes. "Outside / Inside" is a short piano piece.

"Akakabota" has a good heavy rhythm as some nasty organ joins in. It settles back with sax as they trade off. Chunky bass before 2 minutes then ripping organ 4 minutes in. "Without Saying Anything (Featuring Ventriloquist)" is uptempo to start then it starts to settle down as the vocals join in. Huge bass after 1 1/2 minutes then the tempo picks up as the vocals continue. Piano only 5 minutes in as drums and bass join in as it picks back up with keys.Vocals 6 minutes in.

I can't give less than 5 stars for this album.They've raised the stakes folks.