LONELY LAND

I don't belong to those who believe that an English version of an album originally recorded in a band's own language is per se inferior to its counterpart. On the contrary: it was often the sole possibility to get these albums in their time (I am referring to some Italian bands here).

So, the commercial tactics developed by the bands aren't a subject to controversy IMO. They did so to broaden their markets: who can blame them for this?

Although this Landberk album is considered as the English version of their debut album, I have to say that it is more than this. It is true that five songs are almost a carbon copy of the original album sung in Swedish and only offers very little variations.

The featured song that is mostly different is the title track of this English version: Lonely Land is almost two minutes longer than its counterpart Undrar Om Ni Ser but the band just added anothe couple of not so interesting music to it.

One song from the original album has been cut off, but there is no harm done since it was the short Tillbika which was by far the least interesting of Riktigt Äkta. What we'll get in the place is a cover from an obscure but cult band from the late sixties: No More White Horses by T2.

This hypnotic number fits perfectly in the Lanberk repertoire. Original vocals were more emotional though. In all, this song is a much better counterpart than Tillbika. Still, it was very daring for a young band to tackle this great song and cover it. This version is shorter than the original (brass are absent, which is not a bad thing to be honest) and even if I prefer the original song, they have added a special angle to it and at least it brought back this very little known band on the forefront again.

I rated their debut with four stars and there are basically no reason to give a lower rating to this English version. An excellent album by all means.