ANGLING FEELINGS

I remember Kaipa as a Seventies band featuring Roine Stolt on guitar, meanwhile he has become the musical brainchild of the acclaimed neo-prog band The Flower Kings. Listening to the new Kaipa album I have to admit that I am disappointed about the music. I don't like the vocals and I had expected better arranged and more captivating compositions, to me many tracks sound as studio jam sessions: it goes on and, often without any direction with an important role for soli on guitar and keyboards, the most interesting part of this CD. Don't get me wrong, this album is a decent effort but to me it fails to generate excitement, a matter of taste as you can read in the oterh review by Big Kansas Fan. My rating: 2,5 stars.

Well, by comparing such a diverse effort by Per Nilsson (in the place of R. Stolte at the electric guitars) with Kaipa, to their three first works, you have to remark a substantial difference...first of all the performance by Mr Per is just a little bit weaker, above all talking about his music ideas; then the vocals as well the lyrics inside are not convincing at all, despite of the support by Fredrik Lindqvist (regarding of the record effects within). In fact I can't think of the uneven performance by Patrik Lundstrom at the vocals (already with the band Ritual) as the main part of the whole album, even though for a moment I forget it when for instance the guest Lindqvist plays the flute inside "The Glorious Silence Within". Therefore this latter song gives the album a different touch, but it seems to be the only remarkable episode from the beginning to the end..don't get me wrong, in order to break the derivative aspects of Kaipa 70's progressive music They has just introduced a few much more modern episodes, such as those ones in the vein of Liquid Tension Experiment for example, which can be appreciated by a wider crowd of metal prog fans (I think of the Dream Theatre fans), but I don't believe it' s enough. Except on a few breaks-through within "Path of Humbleness" and also talking about the performance by Aleena Gibson at the vocals, the other tracks are too much uneven to make the present issue an essential number...so if you're not strictly a big fan of Kaipa for sure you won't buy "A.F.", otherwise it could be an important occasion to re-discover the old albums by the swedish classic prog rock ensemble.

Make your own choice!!

What is that?

I remember the good old KAIPA with flawless Symphonic Prog albums like “Kaipa” and “Inget Nytt Under Solen”. Here we have completely another picture. As some reviewers mentioned before, it’s very much like DREAM THEATER, and I’d say, at its worse. Loads of duel solos (Petrucci-like quirky guitar and Sherinian-like fuzzy mini-moog) on the basis of almost fusion-like rhythm section. Nothing LIQUID TENSION-related here nevertheless, despite the description above, only pointless jams which are interrupted from time to time by male and female vocals (I’ll try to abstain from terms like “nausea-causing”), both artificially “emotional” and “over-the-edged”…As well as the whole music – too pretentious, too complex, with rare melodic oases and few enjoyable folky breaks. The middle of the album has totally turned me off, with all this gospel-like breathy female singing and pompous perpetual soloing. If you’re a fan of early KAIPA, I won’t recommend you this one, even for checking. It reminds more of TANGENT and THE FLOWER KINGS laughable attempts to win over Prog Classics…but it’s even more laughable.

I really don´t understand some of the reviews I read about this album. It made me hesitate to buy it, even though I liked very much their preivous Notes From The Past and Keyholder. When I finally did get the CD when a friend told me how good it was, I was ashamed of how long it took me to have it. I can´t stop listening to it. High caliber prog music! Ok, it is different from their earlier releases but it is also bursting with inspiration and guts. Every track is a winner and the combination fo the male and female vocals reachs a new level here. Aleena Gibson voice is much more featured on Angling Feelings and she proves herself a distinctive singer: she sounds like no one else and is a very fine and versatile.

On the other hand we have a fantastic, tight band (although Roine Stolt has left the fold, being replaced by Per Nilsson)). Hans Lundin´s songwriting is in top form and the group delivers their stuff with energy, conviction and a freshness rarely seen on such a veteran bunch. Oh, how I wish the Flower Kings had those guts nowadays! Kaipa changed, yes, and for the better. Don´t worry, it is still symphonic prog. The music is complex and the musicians are skilled, masters of their instruments. But they also have the courage to do soething more than repeat themselves. And the result is a music that defies categorization: strong and intricated, yet beautiful and accessible.

Angling Feelings is an album that reeks with power and beauty. Not a single weak track in the whole CD, not a single note wasted. One of the best albums of 2007. Highlits? All the tracks. If you don´t believe, just relax and listen. A must have for any prog fan. Highly recommended.

The last year I bought this record 'cause I was very interested listening to this band and their contemporary output. Angling Feelings soon made good impression to me. I like very much the childish vocals of the female singer... she seems to be just a baby... all in all a fresh sound when mixed to the excellent symphonic performance of the musicians. Excellent the interplay between guitar and synth and the joyful flute (whistle they say) excursions. Energy for my ears.

Not an essential album but very fine and warmly recommended. The only problem is perhaps the long running time. Over 62 minutes of music. I usually get bored when things go on to much and are too much repetitive. Maybe it's the only negative remark for this record.

a solid 3.5 stars evaluation.

I was rather suspect with this album when I noticed that Roine was not any longer with the band.

The last time he wasn't featured on a "Kaipa" album ("Nattdjurstid"), it was a total nightmare. "Angling Feelings" is not as poor as that one, but it is only a repetition of prior releases.

Vocals are not great (even Aleena has known better days IMO). Most songs have a sound of "déjà entendu" and don't bring any variety in "Kaipa" repertoire. It is the same stuff over again.

The guitar style from Roine is taken over almost exactly, the jazzy and complex textures of TFK are here, the same sort of keyboard sounds can be experienced throughout the album (which is very short, in terms of "Kaipa" output: only sixty-four minutes! They must have been short of inspiration.).

I guess that there is nothing wrong with a band who is sticking to a very similar work, but with the addition of TFK ones, this output is just too much of the same. I quite liked their first three album, as well as their coming back one ("Notes from the Past"). These should be sufficient to any symphonic prog lover to avoid such repetitive efforts as this one.

If you are deeply in love with "Kaipa", this is not their worse record. Actually, I would even judge it slightly better than its predecessor ("Mindrevolutions"). The guitar work from Per Nilsson is very good (even if he remains overshadowed by Roine in his musical style).

After a weak middle part, the album is caching up nicely again with "Path Of Humbleness" (although, I am not sure that the title is justified). It is a fine symphonic composition with Aleena at her best. My preferred song from this album (together with the more jazzy "The Feeling Existence Of Time").

Some more folk atmosphere (like in their debut) can be appreciated during "Where's The Captain?" and the closing track is just on par with the first two opening ones (which means good).

In all, this Kaipa effort is on the edge between average to good. Three stars.

Once again Roine Stolt has left the band, but this time Hans Lundin and company did not degenerate into simplistic pop music, but actually improved the sound over the previous album, Mindrevolutions. In fact, new guitarist does a fantastic job, with both rhythm & solo guitar parts.

Once again, Kaipa has created a beautiful album of symphonic prog. This one has a strong Yes influence. The song structures are slightly reminiscent of the famed group, but it's the lyrics and vocals, that bring Yes to mind mostly (and I assume dropping Yes titles and keywords into the lyrics was not an accident). I don't count that against them. There should be more bands in this world that strive to sound like Yes.

Vocalists Patrik Lundström and Aleena Gibson have learned to mesh their voices together much better, creating soaring harmonies (a talent they will perfect on the next album). And Jonas Reingold and Morgan Ågren once again provide a powerful rhythm section.

Angling feelings from 2007 is just another Kaipa album. No better then two predecesors but not bad either. Same symphonic prog that in my opinion fail to progress. Without Stolt this album in places is almost dull, ok the musicians play nicely but the ideas fail to impress me big time. Not a pieces is particulary great, just maybe The Fleeting Existence of Time, by far the best tune of the album. The symphonic prog elements are all over, but are so usual that I had hard times listning to this in one shot. All in all , while is ok most of the time, is nothing really great or inovative like old Kaipa albums. 3 stars with indulgence.