BLÅ VARDAG

ATLAS were an all instrumental band from Sweden who put out "Bla Vardag" (Blue Tuesday) in the late seventies.They featured two keyboard players while the music itself is fairly light, bright Symphonic-prog and at times quite jazzy. Some mellotron too on this record.

"Elisabiten" is one of those jazzy sounding songs with guitar, light drums and piano, creating a nice breezy sound. The sound does build to become quite intense.This contrast continues. "Pa Gata" is the epic on this album. Organ, cymbals and clavinet open the song and are joined by drums. It all sounds so good. It calms down before 5 minutes. Drums and organ follow. What a beautiful tune. "Bla Vardag" is a very tasteful song that doesn't move very fast. I love the main melody that pervades this song. "Ganglat" is much like the first song, a jazzy, uptempo tune.The guitar comes in adding a different flavour to this cuisine.

"Den Vita Tranans Vag" has some synths, organ and mellotron and there are tempo changes. "Bjornsturp" is another favourite of mine. Mellotron and flute sound great as drums pound away. Organ and guitar are added to this melody. The drums and percussion are incredible after 3 minutes. They then soften as mellotron comes back. It goes back to main melody before this beautiful song ends. "Hemifran" features some great sounding synths creating a nice melody. The drums and percussion are again fantastic after 3 minutes. "Sebastian" opens with piano. Bass and drums come in to create a steady rhythm. Nice. There is mellotron and a tasteful guitar solo as well. Good song !

A great album that will please Symphonic fans out there.