LONELY LAND

4.5 stars. I remember my initial reaction to this record was, "What's all the fuss about". I would later eat my words, and join in with those praising this record. No, it is not heavy like ANEKDOTEN, or as complex as ANGLAGARD, but what we have here is fragile, melancholic and wondrous. It doesn't immediately appeal to the senses, it may seem light and bland, but the more you delve into this record the more beauty you will find. So let's do some exploring !

"Waltz Of The Dark Riddle" has all the ingredients, mellotron, flute, piano and gentle vocals leading the way. A very melancholic track. While "The Tree" gets going after a minute when drums and mellotron join the bass and guitar. Vocals follow and we get a fuller sound before 3 minutes which is fantastic. Accordion 3 1/2 minutes in is joined by organ. Check out the mellotron flood 4 1/2 minutes in ! A calm with vocals follows. Organ floats in as the guitar plays lazily. The drums are getting louder. "Pray For Me Now" is great, starting off with a riff from Mr.Fiske followed by some clear, crisp drumming, then a solo from Reine on guitar again, then it's like were into a different song with a real "In the Court Of The Crimson King" feel to it. Very slow paced. Themes are repeated. "Song From Kallsedet" is like a Swedish folk song (instrumental). It opens with acoustic guitar with flute a minute in. The electric guitar 3 minutes in sounds great. Bass 4 1/2 minutes.

"No More White Horses" is a cover of a T2 song. And yes LANDBERK can rock ! Drums pounding, guitar scorching, then the soundscape gets mellow, as drums soften, piano steps in, mellotron and vocals too. Then we're back to intense, pounding drums and ripping guitar to end the song. I really like "You And I", a ballad-like song. The mellotron 2 1/2 minutes in is gorgeous, and so is the soundscape after 4 1/2 minutes. "Lonely Land", the title track, introduces us to some sitar playing after 3 1/2 minutes with bass, drums and mellotron. This is very trippy and it goes on until almost the 6 minute mark. A calm follows until the drums and mellotron build beautifully 8 1/2 minutes in. Amazing sound a minute later. Unbelieveable !

I have so much respect for these Swedes, and of course the other Swedes ANEKDOTEN and ANGLAGARD for giving us such inspirational music in the early 90's, after the drought of the 80's. These guys are my heroes.