TURIST I EGET LIV

The Tales From Scandinavia

Actionfredag's debut album, Turist i eget liv (Tourist in Your Own Life), is a fresh and engaging entry in the Norwegian progressive rock scene. Featuring members from well-known bands like Tusmørke and Jordsjø, the album blends progressive rock with Canterbury jazz and folk influences, offering a sound that feels both exploratory and deeply rooted in Scandinavian musical traditions, I can hear Influences from Frank Zappa and Soft Machine as well

The album opens with "Pönk på svenska," a track powered by fuzzed-out guitars and a jazzy electric piano. The shifts in dynamics, from quieter moments to more energetic bursts, make for an exciting opening that captures the listener's attention right away.

"En behagelig durakkord som sier noe om hvordan det er å se uten å bli sett" moves in a different direction, with warm, rounded bass tones and haunting violin melodies. The vocals have a distinctly Scandinavian feel, delivering a dramatic yet restrained performance that complements the subtle instrumental layers.

Throughout the album, the band showcases their versatility. On "Gadgetry cum dystopia," they incorporate woodwinds and layer the vocals with effects, giving the track an ethereal and experimental vibe. The unexpected use of these elements keeps the album intriguing, and the constant movement between moods?from jazzy improvisations to more grounded folk moments?makes each track stand out in its own way.

The final track, "Ensomhet er bare en følelse" (Loneliness is Just a Feeling), closes the album on a contemplative note. With its rolling melody and thoughtful vocals, the song feels like the emotional core of the album, leaving a lasting impression.

Turist i eget liv is an eclectic mix of sounds and styles, It's a very fun album to listen, rewarding repeated listens with its rich layers and shifting textures. For those who like of progressive rock and 70's Avant-garde.

4.5 stars. I used to use the analogy of food to compare commercial music to Prog. The poppy stuff is like fast food that is instantly appealing but you sure get sick of it in a hurry. While adventerous music is like a gourmet meal with quality food and plenty of variety. A silly but effective way to compare what the masses keep coming back to, and what music connoisseurs appreciate. I just felt that needed to be stated again when talking about the debut record of ACTIONFREDAG.

I still can't get over the abundance of sounds where there is so much going on that it makes my head spin. They are a young Norwegien six piece with male and female vocals. Modern sounding singing I call it, sort of like what THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE were doing a dozen years earlier. And I did think of that band and that self titled record from 2012 a couple of times while spinning this record. And ACTIONFREDAG thank this band on the followup to this 2023 release. We get about a 39 minute album over six tracks.

While this is a young band, a couple of it's members have guested with JORDSJO and TUSMORKE, and as a result of this exposure they were able to recruit some fine guests to help out. Including the two JORDSJO guys who are here playing flute and glockenspiel. How about Steiner Brove playing sax from PANZERPAPPA. We also get guest violin, harp, female vocals, clarinet and melodica. And one other important fact is that they sing in Norwegien.

It has been a while since I have had an album cover that has kept me happily occupied as I listen to the music. So much detail in that drawing, like the guy taking a whiz against the wall, as he stands in his pee. The people looking out the various apartment windows etc. With my edition, I just open the gate fold that reveals a two panel picture with a second street. All one picture. So cool! And I like that their second album has a similar themed cover art. There is a bright sound at times, with the keys especially that again bring THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE to mind.

I have been putting off this review simply because I still feel it's too soon. There's just a lot to digest with this record. I don't feel like I know it enough yet, but that's also part of the appeal of the music here. The opening sounds of electric piano instantly bring to mind much of what I have been saying. Follow that intro with a high energy soundscape with so much going on and you're going to get a quick sense of what this band brings to the table. All in the first minute(lol). A good rocking instrumental to warm us up.

The second song with the very long title opens with a solo bass before turning fuller, and with vocals for the first time. This is the song that first brought THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE to mind, the male vocals especially. Makes me smile. Violin cries out to open "Gadgetry Cum Dystopia" and we get clarinet around 1 1/2 minutes in. Vocals after 2 minutes. An interesting piece where it turns a little darker before 3 minutes. I like this. It's building. So good! Violin is back to end it.

"Peaches En Ulven" sure has lots going on just before a minute. Active percussion to say the least. This track has female vocals that bring NATIONAL HEALTH to mind be it ever so briefly before 2 1/2 minutes. Come on! Harp later on. "Jesus I Min Bod" is so intricate and punchy with high pitched sounds before it settles to bass and electric piano, then it builds. Vocals a minute in. Man, from here to about 4 1/2 minutes there is so much to focus on. Then a calm with electric piano and bass again. Love this!

The closer is almost 9 1/2 minutes long. It's the emotion on this one that draws me in. The drumming is crisp as male vocals join in. I really like his singing. His vocals have character. After a calm around 3 minutes in, it turns surprisingly powerful with guitar and drums. Another calm after 4 minutes. Atmosphere and relaxed sounds here. Suddenly lighter guitar notes appear around 5 1/2 minutes. Some depth after 6 1/2 minutes. It seems to climax after 7 minutes but then settles again before building. Vocals 8 minutes in.

Well, like the music from THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE, it took some time for me to find their physical music, but man was it ever worth the wait. I regret the crossover of listening to their 2024 release just as I was still finishing up on this one, because I really wasn't finished with this debut yet. Reminds me of ZOPP just how it took many spins and some patience to finally get this amazing music to click with this old brain. This band has me wondering if there is a "sound" from Norway now.