LOVER'S END

I've told you before that from now on Moon Safari would have a strong relationship with the Akesson family.In 2009 a third Akesson member joined the band, it was Sebastian, who would contribute on vocals and take over some of the keyboard parts for the upcoming album ''Lover's end''.It was some sort of a biograhical concept on the band's timeline from the early beginnings to the point becoming a well-known Prog band.It was released in 2011 on the band's own Blomljud Records.

More or less you should actually know what to expect from a Moon Safari album, with this effort they come as close as it gets to the NEAL MORSE-linked SPOCK'S BEARD years, so do not expect something original, the two bands sound very similar in stylistical terms, especially when Moon Safari insist on displaying sweet polyphonic harmonies throughout the album.But the band's music is still excellent, ranging from THE BEATLES to the classic sound of YES and GENESIS, despite the ultra-clean production organs and Mellotrons are heavily used in Symphonic/Pop Rock arrangements.You won't find any true epic in this album, ''A Kid called panic'' comes close to the 14-min. mark and all other cuts are less than 10 minutes, showing that the band was heading for a different approach on this album.In fact I think this is the most vocal-dominated effort by Moon Safari thus far and all these harmonies come with multiple voices.The instrumental background though is extremely cohesive to say the least, always melodious and delicate but very far from cheesy or accesible, filled with piano, synths, guitars and, wow, those incredible flute strings.You could accuse the band for becoming a bit pompous and too elegant at times, but dramatic tunes and atmospheres are not absent, there are plenty of great symphonic soundscapes in this work, suitable to all symphomaniacs' tastes.

Moon Safari always produced both sweet/elaborate and dramatic music, this one apparently crosses the line towards the more elegant side of the band.Still a very consistent work of Symphonic Pop/Rock with countless interesting instrumental moments and melodies.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.