VÄTTARNAS FEST

Grovjobb (translate in hard work) is a swedish band formed in mid '90's. They have since now 3 albums , this one Vattarnas fest (The water festival) is the second one from 1999. Grovjobb's music sounds if was made in 1976 or even earlier, the atmosphere , the way they manage to create the passages gives you the feeling that you listen to some obscure mid'70's band. But surprise is given by the year of release - 1999. After the excellent debut album fromthe year prior, Grovjobb come with another impressive album - Vatternas fest, with some brilliant guitar parts interplayed very well with flute and in places with sitar. As many bands from the newer generation tries to sound like their teachers - Grovjobb is no exception - they really succede to soun like a 70's progressive band. What gives to Grovjobb musical uniquess is that they don't have keybordis and keys, the only instruments are guitar, drums, flute, bass and ocassionaly sitar. Very good and intristing are the prog elements combined with native folk motives and aswell some jazzy moments here and there, that gives a special atmosphere to the pieces. All album is instrumental that is another thing that the members must be congratulated, because they done a great effort with this album, and have enough spave to create something of a true value in progressive rock these days. All 5 pieces stands for me as very good, with nice interplays between flute and guitar and ocassionaly sitar. The last pieces is an epic of over 19 min, a real journey in their unique sound, with a trippy sitar opening solo and marvelous flute and guitar moments. Sometimes their music can be compared at some point with thier country fellow Anglagard, Kebnekaise and even in places I can here because of the flute sound some Jethro Tull and Triode (the french one), but as a whole is one of the most original albums I ever heared in years, great work. I wonder why they are so unknow to prog listners, with such music is hard not to come with a solid fan base or a wider recognition. Another thing that needs to be said here is about the cover art - -extremly well done and hand in hand with the music - the painting is made by Hans Arnold and represent as the previous reviewer observe, Greger : "A parade of different creatures with bodies or body parts formed as music instruments, happily playing and singing as they're marching on" . So, finaly a masterpice of progressive rock with folk influences, an album that must be collected without any hesitation, worth every second of it. Also all three albums were released at swedish label Garage land records, don't hesitate to take a listen to this band they are among the best. 5 stars easely , among the best albums from my collection and from entire prog music and higly underrated and unnoticed and is a damn shame.