PARADE

I've never been disappointed with what this band has put out over the years. I have 5 of their 7 studio albums and rate them all highly. It's difficult to pick out a favourite because for me one doesn't really standout over the others, they're all amazing. This particular release came with a bonus live disc of their performance at Nearfest in 2002. As usual with this band we get lots of tracks which is fine it just makes it harder for reviewing but not for listenening which is the important thing. I should mention there are some guests including Sweden's own Lars Hollmer from SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA and also Lisa Millet who adds some bassoon.

"Pyramid" features these intricate sounds that come and go including violin before a minute. Sax before 2 minutes. Drums and piano lead later. This quirky tune is a great way to start. "Dung Beetle" settles with guitar early. Accordian after a minute with bass and drums. Guitar is back. The sound gets more powerful later on. Great tune. "Caramba!" is a short track with a catchy rhythm. "Uppsala" is of course a city in Sweden and the name of a killer band. Here it's really a reference to the fact that Lars recorded his contributions to this album at the Chickenhouse near Uppsala. It opens in a spacey manor before kicking in with keyboards, bass and sax. Love the way these sounds mesh together. A calm with bassoon around 3 1/2 minutes before it kicks back in a minute later. Great sound ! "Toast" is bouncey with keyboards,percussion and sax. Excellent tune. "Liquid Lands" opens with piano. It picks up before 2 1/2 minutes and gets fuller too. More powerful 3 minutes in. Nice.Then it settles some. A change before 4 minutes.

"Film Noir" is mid paced as violin joins in. It's dark. Vibes and bass take over then we get a calm before 4 minutes. It kicks in with power. Hell ya ! "Jack-In-The-Box" is catchy wth a good beat. So much going on here. "Checkpoint Charlie" features experimental sounds throughout. "Talrika" kicks in with some heaviness before a minute. Love how this sounds. Water sounds before 2 1/2 minutes as the sound changes then the tempo picks up. "Crosswords" opens with drums as deep bass and other sounds join in. Sax comes in too. "Skinny Dance" opens with bassoon and violin. Acoustic guitar also joins in with bass and drums. "Frosted Bonsai" is a track that flows beautifully. Lars plays accordian on this one and composed it I believe. Very laid back and enjoyable. The electric guitar after 3 minutes is a nice touch. "Garbage Can" opens with feedback before it turns dark and heavy with organ and a beat. Amazing. "Getting Ready" features sounds that beat,pulse and echo. The tempo picks up. "Deep Forest" is eventually led by drums and sax before a dark calm arrives.

A must for you adventerous music fans out there.