MELLOM OSS

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Well this production is excellent, as the sound quality is really good. In fact the re-issue of their second album is absolutely remarkable: in particular I like to make a special mention for the long suite - The 17 minute "Where Time Fades Away", featuring a guest female vocalist, although the immediate comparison to be made for their style is to that one of CAMEL. The "light symphonic" guitar-solos in the vein of Andy Latimer (think for example of the Romantic guitar solo within the splendid instrumental "Ice" by CAMEL) often leading the harmonic structure, are also balanced by a good amount of some simple keyboards. Their mood is always very relaxing, without being involved with complex music explorations. Recommended for the lovers of this particular genre only!!

Kerrs Pink was one of the leading bands of the Norwegian folk-rock movement during the early 80's, their style has often been compared to the mellow and gentle style of Camel along with traditional folk influences and they have a very comforting and melodic style to their songs. "Mellom Oss" is their second release and shows us this very well. The musicianship is steady and songwriting is solid throughout, with a special mention to guitarist Harald Lytomt's clearly Andy Latimer influenced playing. This album shows a few weaker signs in some of the shorter songs, like "Trøstevise" which is rather forgettable, but the wonderful 17 minute closing epic, "Mens Tiden Forgår", makes up for most of it and stands as the best piece on the album as well as being an essential listening to any prog fan. Another highlight is the wonderful instrumental "Østenfor Ord" which combines Progressive Rock with Folk wonderfully and is a standout of the shorter songs. The other material is fairly good and in the same style. A couple of songs have lyrics which are in Norwegian, but that could work as a charming element for non-Norwegian listeners.

The CD version of this album is in a fact a re-recorded one, although very faithful to the original version. The reason for this are that the original album was recorded on a 4-track recorder which (obviously) coulnd't offer a sound quality good enough to be appreaciated. I must say I haven't heard the original version yet, but the sound quality here is really good and you can hear all instuments clearly throughout. In addition to that, you get six bonus tracks which are a treat for fans especially although the album material is more interesting, in my opinion. Although not a perfect album, this is a fine listen if you like bands in the style of Camel or Kebnekaise.

Highlights include "Østenfor Ord" and "Mens Tiden Forgår". The latter one being the best track here and one of Norwegian prog's finest moments. A very good and promising album, worth checking out if you like lighter prog-rock with folk influences, although it might be difficult to find these days it's worth it if you dig stuff like this. 4/5.

Having not heard the original 1981 release, I cannot comment on whether the re-recording does it justice, but I can say it sounds great and chrystal clear. It's a beautiful symphonic album with plenty of references to the softer sides of Camel (especially in the lead guitars) and Focus, but with more of a folky and upbeat melancholic, Norwegian bent. Mellom Oss is mostly instrumental but does contain vocals in a few tracks.

The title track opens things up in a representative way. Jangling guitars, languid leads, diffuse keyboards and bouncy generally simple melodies all characterize the sound of this album. "Tröstevise" contains somewhat aggressive vocals set to a eastern European sort of motif. Quite fascinating. "Ostenfor Ord" is one of the real highlights, as it plays to all the band's strengths. It contains a very emotional tune, bluesy lead guitar, crisp 12 strings, and a gentle viola solo by Tormod Gangfløt, backed by convincing percussion. "Hvem Snakker Til Meg?" is another song in a similar vein to "Tröstevise" but contains a harder rhythm guitar that seems to be having fun playing off the organ and drums/bass. Some fantastic runs here. "Elegi" is short for elegant as far as I can tell from its arrangement.

By far the longest track is "Mens Tiden Forgar", which seems to alternate between early 80s style KC guitars, Camel-like flutes, and varied reflective vocals as it goes along. It's a qualified success and certainly does contain a number of interesting moments, taking a few listens to really digest. "Marius" and "Parademarsj For Jubilanter" are both jaunty tunes, and the first sounds like some vocals would enhance its effect. In general if there is a problem here, it is the preponderous of such types of instrumentals. The group could have stretched out more, and it would have helped all the material to be in more diverse company.

Nonetheless, this is a highly worthwhile Scandinavian prog album from a long lived band. Between us, I think it merits 4 stars.

I have the re-issue which isn't a remastered version of the original recording, but a complete re-recording of that album. The original had mellotron on it, this doesn't. This is fairly mellow with some nice guitar leads.There are only two tracks on this album that really impress me.

"Mellom Oss" is one of those tracks. Melancholic with synths and some great guitar to open. The tempo picks up before a minute. Nice bass followed by some outstanding guitar. That light uptempo melody is back as the contrasts continue. Just a cool sounding tune. "Trostevise" is almost polka-like.Yikes ! "Trostevals" opens with piano and is joined by the violin. Not a fan. "Ostinfor Ord" is the other song I really like.The guitar takes the lead early as bass throbs. Violin takes over 1 1/2 minutes in as the guitar stops. The intro melody is back 2 1/2 minutes in, it reminds me of CAMEL. The guitar lights it up 5 minutes in. Nice. "Hvem Snakker Til Meg ?" is a good song. I like the guitar, and we get some vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. The organ after 4 minutes is a nice touch.

"Elegi" opens with some good guitar before that polka vibe returns. Thankfully it doesn't break out into a "Lookimpickled Polka"-like tune. "Mens Tiden Forgar" is the 17 minute closer. We get some female vocals on this one. It builds to a guitar / drum / bass melody before settling back down 2 1/2 minutes in as flute arrives. Vocals with strummed guitar before 4 minutes.Female vocals follow. Organ before 7 1/2 minutes that comes and goes. The flute is back after 11 minutes. Male vocals a minute later as it continues to be pastoral. Before 15 minutes we finally get a little passion as the guitar and organ come in to end it in style.

I feel like i'm being generous giving this 3 stars, but then i'm not a huge fan of Folk music (or polka).

Ohh, delightful prog folk from Norway! They mix traditional music from their country with some terrific Camel-like symphonic rock. As one might have guessed, lots of great guitar lines here (both acoustic and electric). There are some nice keyboards too, but unfortunalty not much. My CD is a re-recording of the original early 80´s album, with a few line up changes. I guess it would be nice to hear the vinyl version for historical and curiosity reasons, but really the new tracks are very well produced while the early ones were not, according to what I heard. Anyway, the music here is very good, even if not all the tracks are great.

I really loved Harald Lytomt´s guitar playing: very melodic, very fluid, in the best David Gilmour/Andy Latimer tradition. But the whole band is quite good. As for the songs themselves the quality varies quite a lot, going from excellent (Mens Tiden Forgar) to average (the polka-like Tröstevise really was an unfortunate choice for the second track). However none is bad, and the playing is always top notch. Vocals are all sung in their native language, and Halvard Haugerud´s voice is only ok, but they are mostly an instrumental band anyway. Highlight of the CD is obviously the side long 17 minute epic Mens Tiden Forgar, a wonderful piece of symphonic prog that is really worth the price fo the album, with its several tempo and mood changes, captivating melodies and beautiful flute, guitar and keys interplay. The ending solo is one of the most emotional and poignant I have heard in many years.

There are six bonus tracks that although not really outstandig, are a nice addition for they are in same spirit of the original ones.

Conclusion: if you like Camel and prog folk, this is a must have. I´m really glad to have this one and I´d like to thank Kenneth Levine for advising about this interesting norwegian group. Even if you´re not really fond of prog folk, it´s worth checking this one out anyway.

Final rating: something between 3,5 and 4 stars.