JORDSJØ II

Album number two for Norwegian's own JORDSJO sees them offering up a bevy of retro Prog in the Scandanavain tradition. Unlike their latest this doesn't bring ANGLAGARD to mind much but man the mellotron is all over this along with flute and I love that he sings in Norwegian. This clocks in at around 37 minutes including the digital bonus track which fits in nicely with the rest of the album.

"Mine Templer" opens with spacey sounds that pulse before fuzzed out guitar takes over with a catchy melody. Soon a beat and mellotron join in. Beautiful! A change at 1 1/2 minutes as the flute, vocals and fuzzed out guitar take over. So uplifting. Acoustic guitar and a mellow sound with mellotron takes over around 3 minutes. A beat as well as the vocals have stepped aside. An earlier theme with vocals returns before 4 minutes and other themes come and go too. Great song!

"Den Klaustrofobiske Masken" sounds absolutely amazing early on with that electric piano, would love more of this. Atmosphere too as drums join in. Guitar before 1 1/2 minutes then back to the heavier sound. Contrasts continue then the vocals arrive before 2 1/2 minutes. The catchy chorus arrives first before 3 minutes. Acoustic guitar and flute take over after 3 1/2 minutes in this folky section. It's full with vocals again a minute later and the chorus follows. A bass line only after 5 minutes as mellotron, piano and random drums join in. So good! Flute too, it's building. The drumming just keeps getting better.

"Svarthelleren" opens with acoustic guitar as vocals, drums, bass and organ help out. Mellotron too and it's so gorgeous here. Another feel-good tune. The chorus is more passionate and I actually like the versus more. Acoustic guitar and water sounds just before 3 minutes, some flute too. It kicks back in at 4 1/2 minutes. Nice.

"Under Aurora B." is different from the rest really. The mellotron comes in waves to start the proceedings. Soon bass and a beat joins in. This almost comes across as Post-Rock, it's really interesting, quite melancholic too. Spoken words just before 4 minutes. The electronic beat after 4 1/2 minutes is unique as well. Acoustic guitar comes to the fore as mellotron continues from the start, bass and beats too. Sounds like vibes in this haunting conclusion.

"I Atuans Gravkammer" opens with flute as a beat joins in then a picked instrument of some sort. We get the main melody starting after a minute with flute out front along with bass and drums. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in, electric guitar too. It's cool how the flavour changes slightly as this plays out and how themes are repeated. I'm reminded of early WOBBLER before 3 minutes. I like the vocals and sound that follows too. Some passion here. A cam 5 minutes in with mellotron, flute and a serious rhythm. What a great sounding track, like a tribute to Norwegian Folk music in that retro Scandinavian sound.

A solid 4 stars but I want to give it more, I just love this retro style so much. You have to check this band out!