ANEKDOTEN

This album is uncompromising and beautiful at the same time. Anekdoten is one of the Scandinavian bands which came up in the 1990's, which added a fresh breeze to prog. Well, breeze? Call it a storm, a tempest! One that you won't forget soon.

Yes, Anekdoten is a heavy band. The band is prog for sure, but there is also a clear element of metal, a grungy element to their music. Of course, this was that era in music, after some of the hollow sounding bands of the 1980's, where people were looking for autenthicity again. And you will find autenthicity in this group.

People often compare Anekdoten to King Crimson, but sure enough, that only says a litlle bit where the group stands for. The opening track, Nucleus, starts with some unstructured sounding noises, which makes you wonder what is going to happen the next few minutes. Suddenly the storm breaks loose with Metallica - like minimal barbarian guitar / bass riffs, though much deeper sounding, slower also, though that is not a pointer for having less strength: on the contrary. It is as if a force of nature (like an earthquake) sets the pace for the rest of the album.

Then comes the singing of Jan Erik Liljeström, and there is something unsettling in his voice, like the artwork of the cd booklet is unsettling (the artwork really is in touch with the music). Then for the chorus: (Well, chorus? Sort of... The music is too progressive for tags like verse and chorus) : Jan Erik's voice turns into a barbarian shouting.

If you never heard Anekdoten before, it may take some time to really appreciate them. If you are not afraid of a heavy prog group, and if your music doesn't have to be melodious all the time, then this may be a band for you. Because Anekdoten obviously is influenced by '90's metal. But they are so much more than your average metal / grunge band. There is a definitive Scandinavian touch in the music, hard to pin down but it's there.

Also, the music is often quiet as well. But don't hold "quiet" for "soft". Anekdoten is always powerful, even in their quiet moments. Anna Sofi Dahlberg's cello especially gives the music a certain extra, like in the magnificent closing song "In Freedom" (I haven't heard the 2004 remaster, so that's the closing song on my cd) . Also the use of mellotron and other keyboard instruments give the album a certain mystery.

The playing is wonderful, the production well suited for music like this, and the cd booklet is a treat in itself. Anekdoten really helped to take prog into a new era.

This album is truly progressive. Music like a barren landscape, but one in which you would like to reside from time to time. Ruthless and soaring at the same time.

2nd release? A Masterpiece too....

Anekdoten release their second full-length album, ''Nucleus''...The band is in an extremely productive period and continues to compose and perform great Progressive Rock music.

King Crimson's influences are always present. The band, after their masterpiece debut, develops better its own character. Nicklas' and Jan's guitar and bass performing are the driving axle of this band, as they compose the most of the tracks and sing the most of the vocals. This wisely arranged guitar/bass duo infuses the whole project. Anna's cello and mellotron, dress the album with such an amazing atmosphere. Her vocals are marvelous, too. This girl is one of the essential elements of this band and this is well noticed and appreciated, as she contributes to the tracks' composition, too. Helena's violin presents another magical part of ''Nucleus''. Peter's drums' and percussion's playing is always potential and power, giving the album a strong character, as he makes an extended use of the cymbals and the tambure.

Everything seems to be perfect here, as well as the album's production. King Crimson's sound is also part of the band's sound, and despite the presence of many instruments' and vocals' parts, the production appears to be excellent. Anekdoten release their 2nd masterpiece and continue to make part of the bands that are so mature and tallented. Perfect work....

In my opinion, the first 3 albums of Anekdoten are Masterpieces, analyzing them from any side or prospective. I am sure that everyone will find them as some of the most momumental releases of the 90's..5 stars to this album, too.

Gravity, released in 2003 saw Anekdoten continuing their trend of consistently excellent releases but by now the King Crimson comparisons are more or less left behind as the band have by now well and truly developed their own sound in a direction more than hinted at on From Within.

Anna Sofi Dahlberg's haunting Mellotron and organ still plays a key role in their sound providing a sweeping backdrop much of the time but the songs are now more succinct. There are less of the drawn out grooves, though What Should But Did Not Die continues that style occupying similar territory as Hole from the From Within album, but less expansive. The guitar riffs are less angular than the first 2 albums but that's not to say they lack power. This is clearly immediately apparent as album opener Monolith delivers an explosive riff on one of the highlights here. Title track Gravity, at over 8 minutes is the longest song and another incredibly powerful moment with the driving rhythm section of Jan Erik Liljeström and Peter Nordins keeping it simple but effective as the guitar of Nicklas Barker and well up front Mellotron of Anna Sofi Dahlberg provide the icing on the cake.

What has not changed is the vocals of Barker and Liljeström, not surprisingly still retaining that instantly recognisable melancholic quality.

The Games We Play and The War Is Over offer a new perspective and are 2 mellower acoustic driven moments and Seljak, a driving instrumental closes the album in fine style with its abrupt ending.

It's difficult to draw parallels between Anekdoten and other bands here as by now their sound is truly their own and while Gravity is the weakest of their first 4 albums it's only because of it being in such illustrious company that I'm able to say that. It's still an incredibly strong and consistent release and fans of the band should not be disappointed.

I am a big fan of King Crimson from their very beginning till modern time. So, when I just started to listen Anekdoten debut album, two minds were born in my head.

The first was - OK, it's strong KC tribute band even with some elements of originality. Some pieces sound as clear citates from early KC songs.

And second - whoof..., it's nice, that in our time the new bands returning back to genius ideas and even trying to continue and develop them.

So, after listening of all album, my opinion is the same ( just mix of this two minds, as above).

Yes, band is interesting musically and in techniques, has own transcriptions of KC ideas. A bit pity, sound quality and producing could be better, what is important for music like this.

But too often and too much you hear KC citates.

So, in total, it a perfec debut, and very important, what happens after (OK, now we know, that step by step group found their own way later).

So, recommended as interesting variations to KC theme for all KC fans, as well as fans of later , more unique, Anekdoten just to see how did all were started.

If you want to know how much I marvel at Anekdoten's music I will simply refer you to my Gravity review and not start all over again here. A Time of Day continues in the same vein as Gravity, with some extra proggy things thrown in for good measure such as vintage prog instruments like moogs and flutes and some unexpected interludes and alterations in some of the songs. Even so it took me months to appreciate it but it hasn't been out of my player since. That is how slow and simultaneously addictive this music works on you. So be warned and go out and buy this now!

This low profile band from Sweden hardly registers on any radar. And that is such a loss as they could appeal to many people, prog as well as alternative rock fans. There's no other band that can write such complex music and still make it sound so spontaneous and organic, as if the music already existed by itself and they just had to seize it out of the sky and commit it to tape. (Now, if you think I've lost it, this is more or less a quote from Robert Fripp! But then, we all now he's really weird :-/ )

Anyway, their music can be forceful and menacing as well as it can be tender, subtle and delicate. And in whatever form it manifests, it's always intelligent and at the same time emotional, heartfelt in that unique understated way of them. It is as though they are a musical manifestation of the Swedish psyche. Not that I'm any kind of specialist on Sweden but judging from what I know of that country and its people, Anekdoten's music seems to breathe Sweden through all its pores.

Gravity is for me their most accomplished album and a definite desert Island pick.

From Within is a transitional album between Anekdoten's early Crimson-style albums and their own true voice that they've found on this album. While it boasts some of their best tracks, it unfortunately also features their two worst songs. (Actually that would be the only two weak tracks you could stumble on).

Now since you're all so curious to know how on earth I have found weak tracks here and which ones they are and why, I will no longer keep you. The reason is the singing and the tracks are Kiss of Life and Firefly. Now, I don't share the common criticism that the singing is Anekdoten's weakness. Not at all, in most cases it fits the songs and the mood just perfectly and both Jan Erik and Niclas have an excellent feel for melody and for strong catchy tunes. But here, when they're so forcedly squealed and so off-key? No thanks. If you don't have a strong voice you need to use it for what it is good at and no one will take notice. But these two tracks always make me jump for the remote as soon as they open their throat.

Needles to say the rest of the album is top notch.

Anekdoten's debut is a dark and powerful album that should appeal to all admirers of King Crimson's Red. Unless those people would say that only King Crimson is allowed to create churning bass driven rock in weird time signatures with dissonant guitar power chords and smoky vocals!

So that pretty much sums up how they sound. Maybe add the brooding atmosphere and entrancing pace of Magma to the list and you might have a good idea of what Anekdoten is all about on their debut album. Oh yes, there's even more, they really pull it off really well.

I would almost give 5 stars here but as they would still grow on further albums I'll stick with 4. Nevertheless, you really shouldn't miss this slab of muscle prog!

When Scandinavia met KING CRIMSON...

''Vemod'' is the debut of the Swedish band, Anekdoten. Anekdoten make their appearance to the Prog Rock scene of the 90's, deciding to compose and perform its music according to the Prog Monster, Robert Fripp. Anekdoten's music has lots of King Crimson influences, rendering it difficult and very complex.

The band consists of 3 main elements. Jan's wonderful bass performing and Peter's amazing drum playing, seem to hold the whole project and give it, its marvelous atmosphere. Nicklas' guitar playing, faithful and dedicated, adds his own character and reminds Fripp's unique style. Jan and he are the main composers of the band. But, the hidden diamond of this band is Anna's beautiful arranged and performed keys and cello. Anna was added to the group and became immediately one of them. She completes this neo-Crimson concept with her mature ideas, plus her wonderful voice.

Anekdoten appears to be a lot promising band and, in fact, later, confirm this prospective. They release a serie of amazing albums, each one close to a masterpiece. They manage to marry the Crimson's sound and filosophy with their style of performing Progressive Rock. The production reminds a lot of the Lark's or Starless' productions, as well as ''Vemod'''s compositions.

To me, a new-born Master Prog band, a new-born Masterpiece... 5 stars, really...

This band will never stop!

This is the 3rd full-lenght album from the Swedish band. ''From Within'' does not contain something extremely different from the other band's albums and also does not change the well-known band's character.

The same excellent line-up continues to compose and perform beautiful progressive rock music. The band always shows his KING CRIMSON influences but adds its own style, too. Jan Erik Liljeström and Nicklas Berg compose the most of the tracks. This Rickenbacker and Gibson SG duo is out-spaced combined and give this unique character to the album. Anna's keys and cello are beautifully dressing the whole project and Nordins' percussions are always perfectly arranged.

The band seems to be unstoppable by composing and performing its third masterpiece. This album presents a mature band that works a lot. These guys are not a lot promising band anymore, but they gain the Master title for their releases and especially with ''From Within''.

To me? A Masterpiece! 5 stars!