MAJOR PARKINSON

Norwegians Major Parkinson from Bergen started in 2003 as a quartet of Jon Ivar Kollbotn (vocals), Andre Lund (guitar), Eivind Gammersvik (bass) and Jan Are Rønhovde (drums), which won the Eggstock festival in Bergen the same year.Rønhovde left his place for a while to Rasmus Hungnes, with whom the group recorded an eponymous EP.Hungnes quit shortly after to be replaced by Cato Olaisen, while over the years the band would also welcome guitarist Alf Borge and keyboardist Lars Christian Bjørknes.As a sextet Major Parkinson eventually released their eponymous debut in 2008, recorded at Radiostar Studios and produced by Sylvia Massy, mostly known for her work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, Johnny Cash and System Of A Down.

''Major Parkinson'' is a weird but inventive piece of art.It combines the Heavy/Stoner Rock idiom with elements from Circus, Cabaret and Theatre Music in a charming and quite original blend.The tracks of the album are very short, but contain dense, rich and quirky musicianship.The music of the group is based on schizophenic groovy parts akin to SYSTEM OF A DOWN and heavy, attacking, furious vocals by singer Jon Ivar Kollbotn, interrupted at moments by dual guitar workouts and psychedelic textures.Actually the theatrical approach of the group reminds of a less melodic and keyboard-based A.C.T. with an overall darker mood.Among the uptempo grooves the sextet offers plenty of sudden breaks, while the gears return all of a sudden in a powerful and passionate package.Multi-vocal harmonies are also in the menu, adding sometimes a poppy and more accesible taste to an album, which is nevertheless an entertaining and pleasant listening.

With their debut Major Parkinson manage to come up with a genre of their own.Heavy Cabaret Prog?Stoner/Circus Music?Quirky Art Rock?Whatever you call it, this is definitely a nice listening experience with its own identity.Good band, warmly recommended album.