HINN ÍSLENZKI ÞURSAFLOKKUR

Thursaflokkurinn was without doubt the most famous Icelandic Progressive Rock band of the 70's due to their massive lives abroad.They were formed in Reykjavik in 1978 by singer/keyboardist Egill Ólafsson, bassist Tómas Tómasson, guitarist Thórdur Arnason, bassoonist Rúnar Vilbergsson and drummer Ásgeir Óskarsson, ex-member of Eik and Pelican.Their debut ''Hinn Íslenski thursaflokkur'' was released in 1978.

The music of the band included reworkings of traditional Icelandinc Folk tunes into Progressive/Art-Rock arrangements and what the listener gets with this album is an album with strong folky atmospheres developed into lovely and emotional rock compositions with rich instrumentation.It sure has this very unique Scandinavian/North-European feeling and there are plenty of references created by the atmosphere in KAIPA's, IN SPE's, FOCUS' and KEBNEKAISE's albums.That means the album contains plenty of intricate melodies next to some folky instrumental themes but also straightforward rockin' tunes.The folky material includes plenty of bassoon work along with driving flutes, pianos and acoustic guitars, the rockin' ideas are enriched with a symph-like feeling with melodic guitars and atmospheric synths.Still sometimes the musicianship gets even more demanding than the aforementioned bands, reminding the blend of Folk, Jazz and Classical Music established by GENTLE GIANT, where nice vocal arrangements stand next to some unusual yet quite harmonic breaks.

Very good album indeed.Fans of Scandinavian Prog or followers of any of the aforementioned acts should hurry to purchase a copy.The album has been reissued in CD format by Steinar Records in 1992...3.5 stars.