THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Airbag are finally back, following on from their highly acclaimed albums Identity (2009) and All Rights Removed (2011). The Greatest Show on Earth is a beautiful atmospheric album while "the lyrics deal with the individual and its growing feeling of alienation and distrust in society and the established authorities". The instrumentalization is superb. I believe fans of Gazpacho, RPWL and Porcupine Tree will definitely enjoy it. It is not only one of the finest albums I have heard this year but, one of the finest albums I have ever heard. This is a 5 star album, there is no doubt about that.

I have been awaiting the release of this album The Greatest Show on Earth for what seems like forever, or at least since they announced a new album would be released earlier this year. It's inevitable that most people will compare Airbag to Pink Floyd. Their style and composition are so similar that upon hearing instrumental sections of Airbag albums I've been playing at home people have asked me " Is this a new Pink Floyd album ? ". To me that is the ultimate compliment to Airbag. Outside of Europe I'm not sure that Airbag is widely recognized. To test this theory I rang several FM Radio stations here in Australia requesting them to play Airbag and not one station had even heard of them, let alone had any in their collection. This is an absolute shame because I would love to see them tour Australia with this new Album but without widespread recognition of who they are or their style of music that is just not going to happen. As for the music it's atmospheric , ethereal and definitely easy to listen to. I suggest anyone suffering from stress in any way to get this album and give it a play and if you don't feel completely relaxed and satisfied with what you heard then you are probably beyond redemption.

O, frabjous day! Calloo, callay! They've finally done it, folks! The heirs-apparent to PINK FLOYD have finally fulfilled the enormous promise of their 2009 debut album, Identity; they have pushed past the imitative phase of their 2011 PF-clone/imitation album, All Rights Removed. Now that they have mastered the sounds and stylings of their ancestors, they have moved into new territory, creating fresh, new music. Yes, this is still close to the songs familiar to us all from the original Floyd, but AIRBAG have gotten their courage and confidence built up enough to, in effect, create new Pink Floyd music. that is, if the individuals and collective members of Pink Floyd had been able to retain the creative and explorative fires of their prime years (68-80), this is the five star music they would have been producing.

Again, take the beautiful melodies and masterful instrumental weaves of Identity and the Pink Floyd sounds and forms of All Rights Removed and you get this 2013 release, The Greatest Show on Earth.

Mega kudos, Asle, Bjørn, Henrik, Jørgen, and Anders: You have achieved what I thought possible for you: A masterpiece of progressive rock music! This one is for the ages, boys!

I enjoyed Airbag's last album, All Rights Removed, but there was something about it that didn't quite gel together enough for me to consider it to be really excellent. I think what it was lacking, something that their new release has in spades, is atmosphere. It might just be me, but this album has bags of atmosphere. I really wonder how the band feel about being constantly compared to Pink Floyd (I'd take it as a compliment, personally), but they undeniably do sound like a more modern WYWH - The Wall era Floyd. Mostly because Bjørn Riis's guitar tone and playing style is very, very similar to Gilmour's - lots of bending up, hitting a high note, then bending back down, nothing super fast and technical etc. Regarding the music itself, there are long, beautiful, majestic instrumental sections, lots of nice build-ups and some of the best guitar solos I've heard for years. This is bordering on being my ideal album, and would quite possibly be in my top 10 releases of the last 5 years.

Everyone has been debating the true definition of 'progressive rock' since its inception back in the late 60s and regardless of the multiplicity of opinions, truth is generally found in the word itself. Airbag is now up to their third album and it has been a clear evolution ever since their debut Identity back in 2009, polishing, refining, defining and focusing their heavy Pink Floyd vibe into something wholly theirs. This album has lots of gleaming atmosphere, a deliberate mood creating sequence has been structured to provide more than just a collection of songs, best proven by the opening moody intro. And a true intro it is, as it will be expanded into a full blown finale extravaganza.

Guitarist Bjorn Riis is a tremendously gifted player, as well as composing energetic space prog arrangements that have a modern sheen on a trusted and proven formula, there is also a lot of attention to detail which perhaps was a previous omission, the sophomore All Rights Removed being just a few inches away from perfection. Here little things abound such as some Roxy Music-like tightness on 'Redemption', a phenomenal track that also features a swirling guitar solo amid tempestuous walls of resonating riffs, frantic drumming and heartfelt vocals. 'Silence Grows' is sleek and more obviously from the Darker Side (sic), organ trembling nicely with wistful vocals and slashing Gilmourian guitar crescendos, the beat binary and solid. It's a shorter ballad that has a familiar sound and yet still displays interesting aspects, with lots of bombast and grandiose wallop.

The 11 minute +'Call Me Back' is a clear sign that the experimental phase has settled in nicely with the otherwise brilliant chops, a divine substance has been blended into the compositions with deft detail, overt passion, disciplined direction and profound sensibilities. The deliberate axe solo is layered atop some cannonading beats and flapping synths, severe contrasts in power and substance, very cool, indeed, like an edgy form of laid-back! Oohing backing vocals add sensational cinematographics to the breathlessly unconventional melody. Yes, candlelight vigil music at its finest, lights out!

The title track, a 7 minute classic prog song, is as close to ear-friendly you can hope for, overpowering gusts of shimmering sonic genius, rhythm guitar blasts that slashes with utter confidence, brooding synthesized veils and depth-charge bass and drums. The lead guitar shies away from being a technical monster, tight notes going up and down the neck, just like blues guitar should be = emotional, graphic and raw.

As with any palatial structure, the domed roof is what gives this prog cathedral its imposing feel, a closing epic that spans nearly 17 minutes, drenched in earnest emotion as singer Asle Tostrup shows off a scintillating voice, neither Gilmour nor Waters but truly his own. I once believed that he had a slight Robert Smith of the Cure tinge, but that has somewhat dissipated here. Airbag has concocted a true epic jewel, a defining moment in their impressive career. The power is intense, unrelenting, almost on the verge of hard (check out the 9 minute mark section!), careening into sonic delirium. A mid-section washes onto a splendiferous beach of echoing sounds, pools of aquatic synth vie with bending guitar palm trees. A clanging guitar appears on the horizon (yeah, very Pink!), a binary beat mason churns slowly towards the warm synthesized winds and then, finally Riis lets loose a tremendous axe salvo.

Atmospheric, dense, exciting, powerful and intoxicating, Airbag has arrived with a furious riposte, adding their grain of salt to the 2013 treasure trove, a deluge of stupendous releases. The artwork is spellbinding, very Storm Thorgerson/Hipgnosis and is a pure delight that complements the music inside. This band deserves to be considered up there with all the recent leading contenders (Haken, Deeexpus, Nine Stones Close, Galahad, Big Big Train etc'.) as a purveyor of quality progressive music.

5 extravaganzas

A beautiful album: Yes. One of the best psychedelic space prog rock of the last times:Yes. Excellent sound mastering: Yes Excellent performance by musicians :Yes Great compositions, great songs..... But.... ¿is this work very original? It is only a remembering exercise to find: ....Porcupine Tree :The Sky Moves S.... Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here ,Animals, The Division Bell..... So this album sounds to me very familiar . So...¿ is this a good album ? no doubt it is ....but there is nothing very new here. I think there has been an over reaction in the reviews ...Maybe is a little over rated . In my opinion :4 stars for the album.3 stars for the originality :3,5.

'The Greatest Show On Earth' is a nice psychedelic drenched new album from this Norwegian band AIRBAG. Six atmospheric songs are given, where the title track is divided in two partitions though. Heavy outbursts are rare, the production mirrors a relaxed flow overall. While the musicianship is flawless and Asle Tostrup provides a rather perfect singing voice, they are using a proven formula - consisting of dominant Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree ingredients, plus a proper pinch of melancholy. Hence they can't make it wrong, not really.

Although there are a lot of keyboard skills around when exploring the line-up, Bjørn Riis' guitar plays a very important role, often presented in a multi-tracked mode - he's partially sending greetings to Mr. Gilmour in any case. The (nearly) instrumental Call Me Back comes as the highlight here, Part 2 and 3 from the title track leave room for some jamming. Fans of RPWL and fellow countrymen Gazpacho might also like this album. There's some variety and uniqueness missing to make it big really - an enjoyable production this is nevertheless.

Having spent a fantastic night attending Airbag's release concert in Oslo, I decide now it's the time to publish my very first review here on Progarchives. "The Greatest How on Earth" is indeed a most ambitious title, and I dare say Airbag lives up their ambition with this, their third full-length album.

This is just an amazing album from start to finish! The Pink Floyd influence is still dominant. Add to it a few touches of mid 90'ies Porcupine Tree, you pretty much know what to expect. Main guitarist Bjørn Riis sends shivers down your spine with his soloing, like David Gilmour never left the stage. His guitar skills are absolutely magnificent. Airbag never seeks to hide their main musical inspirations. Add to it the slightly melancholic, easily vulnerable voice of Asle Tostrup, and the tight and precise drumming of Henrik Fossum, and you get a powerhouse of bluesy, keyboard- and guitar-based prog.

Having followed their musical output since the "The Sounds That I Hear" EP, the band has taken som giant leaps. While their previous efforts have shown great promise, and delivered some fantastic songs (Like "Homesick" from the "All Rights Removed" album), this album is 5-star from start to finish. The title track and "Redemption" stands out after first few listens, but both "Call me back" and the three part "Surveillance" really grows on you.

Every fan of Pink Floyd should buy this album. I mean it! Every single one of you! Add to it fans of Porcupine Tree and lovers of bluesy, dreamy, and melodic progressive rock, this album has the potential of a future classic.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" will soon be playing in your living room !

A lot of great music has flown out over us this year, and even if it's not near the magic of the seventies it's still enjoyable. Airbag's record is one of them which has got much appreciation, that is not unusual when a record is new. I can hear what is attractive on this record even if I'm not as amused as others. Airbag is a Norwegian band with three records in their collection: "Identity" from 2009, "All rights removed" from 2011 and now "The greatest show on earth" from 2013. That is, must I say, a fay title already and the listeneds get high expectations. In Airbag, Asle Tostrup sings and plays keyboards, Björn Riis plays guitar, keyboard and bass, Henrik Fossum drums and Anders Hovdam plays bass. The cover is a little odd but not very "proggy", it's melancholic and cold. One detail is that the record is released at Karisma Records - a name that is not unfamiliar to prog fans all over the world. I will begin will telling you what I think is this records advantages.

What I like most is the vocals. Asle Tostrup has a beautiful voice which could have been used more on this record. It would have been interesting if he sung in Norwegian but we can't get everything we want. The vocals are atmospheric and distinct and I like the English accent. Airbag shows much guitar. That instrument is well played over the whole record but I miss a more characteristic sound, this is in some way too ordinar. The music is partially heavy and artistic but it's too bland for me. I lack the prog sound here, perhaps it sounds a bit like Pink Floyd, the sound is quite atmospheric but it don't get me all way. The vocal parts works well and they are what I like most here. I think "Redemption" is the best track(8/10), I suppose it has some form of magic and three more tracks are rather sophisticated - I understand why people consider it more than "good": "Silence Grows"(7/10), "The greatest show on earth" and "Surveillance(Pt.s 2-3)" has a lot of qualities even if I find them uninteresting. "Call me back" (5/10) is boring in my ears.

I will give this record three stars of five. I understand why people like it. The group does nothing wrong and the spaced sound is honest but I can't collect any deep feelings for this. I am also confused with the classification; this is not what I think is "Neo-Prog". Of course it's new, but I though neo-prog used to be more symphonic oriented. Three stars!

Airbag started life as a Pink Floyd tribute band, and they've always worn that influence on their sleeve, but after the very strong All Rights Removed they seem to be making a bid for widespread success with The Greatest Show On Earth. On paper, it's a good mixture - topical subject matter (namely, the issue of surveillance within society), along with incoming influences from Porcupine Tree's indie rock-influenced period (Stupid Dream/Lightbulb Sun) - should in principle be enough to push the album over the bar.

As it is, though, it feels a bit too cold and calculated, with the charm and variety of All Rights Removed absent. (In particular, the reduction of neo-prog influences from the likes of Marillion makes the sound of the album feel a bit less rich than its predecessor). It's competent enough stuff, but it feels a little bland to me.

What happened to progrock these days. As I listen to the latest effort of Airbag from Norway, I feel rather disappointed. I bought the album because of the raving reviews I read all over the www. But what did I buy? As I listen to the music that's offered on the album, a Porcupine Tree single comes to mind: Four Chords That Made A Million. Most of the songs on the album are build on three or four chords and are utterly boring to my ears. No tempo shifts, all of the songs are more or less the same. No hooks whatsoever, just straight on all across the album. What I do hear are some Pink Floyd bits (especially the guitar solo's or at least the first few notes of them) and they all must be huge fans of Marillion, Hogarth era. The lyrics only state the obvious and there really is nothing to get excited about. Even the cover art is no feast for the eye. But take a look at the rating... Lots of people calling themselves prog lovers hail about this album like it's the best that happened to them in a long time. So I have to conclude it must be me. I shouldn't expect craftsmanship, creativity or music of a high standard in a prog album anymore. Or maybe I shouldn't buy an album just because other 'prog lovers' hail about it. Just my mistake...

I was suspicious when I saw not just one, but three guys credited with keyboards and programming here. What did they program, a Richard Wright clone? If I were asked to list their number one influence, I would say - Pink Floyd. If asked for influence number two, the answer would be - Pink Floyd. And so it would go down to number ten, when I'd say - something similar to Pink Floyd, with a more modern sound.

Now, I have nothing against clones. Of Scarlett Johansson, for example. The good news is that the bittersweet melodies are catchy and themes - "the little man" in today's society - certainly topical. Guitarist serves plenty material for air guitar wannabes. But to me it lacks variety and drama. Just mellow verses followed by a barrage of Dave Gilmour and Richard Wright impersonations - shoegazing followed by powerful celestial build-ups.

One of the most recommended albums from 2013, Airbag's "The Greatest Show on Earth" alluded me for most of the year. I finally got the chance to hear it, and I have to admit it isn't quite what I expected. Airbag is hugely influenced by Pink Floyd, and I hear Porcupine Tree in there, too. However, they don't really sound like either of those bands. They definitely have their own identity.

That identity is one of atmosphere, strong guitar work, and detailed keys. The album itself is thick with ambiance from beginning to end. This is due in part to the keyboard work offered by multiple members. They range from spacey to piano to soaring, but they are almost always there, haunting and speaking softly. On top of this foundation, the guitar lets its voice be heard. Bjorn Riis is extremely talented with the guitar, and his steeled tone gives us awesome licks and hardened solos that pierce the music to its core.

The entire band is extremely unified, that's for certain. They unite with almost post-rock dexterity, creating beautiful texture and interesting melodies. The vocalist, Asle Tostrup, has a very mellow, almost weak, tone to his delivery. He has a good voice, though I feel a truly spectacular singer could carry this band to new heights.

The album is about society and surveillance. I think it's about more than that, though. Feelings of desperation and misery are definitely felt throughout this album, as a call for privacy and grace is first and foremost. However, I will say that the scope of this surveillance is probably global. I ultimately think Airbag is making a religious statement here, but I won't get into that now.

Creeping, dark, and foggy; "The Greatest Show on Earth" feels laid bare and exposed. These feelings are expressed so very well here. In the thick atmosphere of keys and piercing guitar, one can feel the desperate attempts at reclaiming life. "Call Me Back" (my favorite), for instance, features amazing lyrics and melodies, but I do feel that the rest of the album feels a bit samey. It's one long melancholy trip, but it does hold interest.

While I like the two part "Surveillance" track, I would definitely say that the strongest tracks are the ones in the middle, especially "Call Me Back", "Silence Grows", and title track. Though the music is a bit one note at times, it does end up featuring personality and somber mood. That idea is pretty representative of the whole album, then, as the album is clearly meant to be atmospheric and very personal. I believe it succeeds in most of what it aims to do, as it delivers a mood and a foundation for guitar theatrics. To call it a masterpiece would be an overreach, but I will say that this fantastic album is outstanding in many ways and needs to be heard by any prog fan.

Norwegian band AIRBAG started out sometime back in the 1990's, and while they released some material in earlier days, they didn't officially release a debut album proper until 2009. Since then two more full length productions have followed. "The Greatest Show on Earth" is the most recent of their albums, and was issued through the Norwegian label Karisma Records in the fall of 2013.

When dealing with a band with a past history as The Pink Floyd Experience, it won't come as much of a shock to see them recommended to fans of that band either, I hope. This is very much the case for Airbag and "The Greatest Show on Earth", where fans of late 70's Pink Floyd in particular should take notice of this album, especially those amongst them who also tend to enjoy bands such as Porcupine Tree.

Back in 2010 I reviewed my first AIRBAG album, their debut from 2009 called "Identity". I still remember spending way too much time trying to decide between 3 stars or 4 stars as for me it's a 3.5 star debut. Really impressed with it but a couple of so-so songs in there too. Here I am back over a decade later to review their third studio album "The Greatest Show On Earth". Man they have improved as far as my musical tastes are concerned. Still very FLOYD-like and ANATHEMA came to mind at times, their "Judgement" era. So much spacey atmosphere and three of the five musicians play keyboards.

This is simply a very consistent record with all six tracks bringing lots to the table that I like. Emotional vocals, emotional soaring guitar leads, interesting lyrics are all part of this album. This is around the time that Norway was just starting to leave a mark in the Prog community, a mark that has continued to grow in 2023 to the point that Norway is at the very forefront of progressive music, leading the way. Like PINK FLOYD this band are masters at contrasting the mellow and powerful sections to great affect. PINK FLOYD is the first band that I noticed used to this style back on "Dark Side Of The Moon" even though it wasn't new or anything at that point.

I really like how uniform the sound is here and can't get enough of that spacey atmosphere and those soaring guitars. A 4 star album without question.