ECLECTIC PROG

The instrumental 'Bosses låt' is a cover of a piece by the Swedish prog band Fläsket Brinner, featured on their 1971 album and composed by the band's organist Bo[sse] Hansson -- yes, the Sagan om Ringen guy. This version is sonically tighter and more emphasized on guitar whereas the original has also flute plus some sax in the end. Although the composition per se doesn't much progress, it is easy to recognize as an early 70's prog instrumental.

'Desert Storm' is composed by Lindblom to the English lyrics by Pirkko Hautamäki. Also this one is very 70's in style, slightly resembling the Meddle era Pink Floyd, or rather, A Tab in the Ocean era Nektar for the hard- rocking psychedelic atmosphere. Lindblom's vocals have aged and roughened but they're still ok. The playing is powerful especially for the organ and electric guitar.

'Tämä uni' (= This dream) turns out to be the same piece in different Finnish lyrics by Kari Ilmonen who had also written the lyrics for the album in 1975. "Good, but non-essential" three stars. The fourth star would need a little more material than one cover and one new tune in two langauages.

4.0

Stylistically the material on "Trust Us" pretty much continues the alternative rock/psychedelic rock style of "Angels and Daemons at Play (1997)". Sometimes a little more psychedelic and jam oriented than other moments which are more structured. Motorpsycho are a well playing unit and they obviously master both the improvised jamming and the more conscise songwriting parts. But when that is established the vocals have always been the weak link of Motorpsycho and they continue to be that on "Trust Us". Not in a manner which destroys the listening experience, but they do sound weak and it often feels like they are just there singing without a recognisable vocal melody. So maybe it´s not just that the voices of the two vocalists aren´t that strong or distinct sounding, but maybe also that the band just don´t write that great vocal melodies.

With that out of the way, Motorpsycho should still be praised for their organinic and powerful instrumental performances. "Trust Us" is also a well produced release, so it´s in the songwriting department that Motorpsycho are still lacking something at this point in their career. Six albums into a music career and I expect more, but I understand why others enjoy it more than I do. The combination of 90s alternative/indie rock with 70s psychedelia has been done by many other contemporary artists (The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, and some of Radioheads early recordings are valid references) and it´s just a hard sound to nail.

"Vortex Surfer" is the most well known track from "Trust Us" and I agree that it´s slow layer building is effective, but the weak vocals almost ruin the track. Upon conclusion "Trust Us" is a good quality rock album from Motorpsycho if you (unlike me) are able to appreciate the vocals. I´ll play nice and give this a 3 star (60%) rating, but but you can add 0,5 star ekstra if you imagine that I could enjoy the vocals.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

5.0

For some, this will no doubt seem unacceptably saccharine - but the power of music in part resides in its ability to touch a broad range of emotions and moods, and if you're in the mood for music which is often gentle, never aggressive, always thougthful, and generally quite light in approach, Sky aren't half bad. And it would be a flat-out mistake to regard this as some sort of commercial sell-out affair - unlike, say, Asia, it would be wrong to accuse this of being pop-prog, not least because if you were going to go pop in 1979 you'd never put out an all-instrumental album to begin with. Where Opposites Meet, the side-long epic that rounds it off, likewise demonstrates that these chaps can take a more overtly proggy approach when they decide it's merited - the trick is that these are all knowledgeable musicians who make excellent calls as to when it's good to go textured and complex, and where a touch of simplicity is needed. Hardly a world-changingly innovative work, but a slickly executed and seriously enjoyable one for that.

Underdog: The powerful and dynamic foundation in this long composition is a swinging mid-tempo beat, the bass even sounds pretty funky. The music is embellished with swirling work on the distinctive Hammond organ (reminding me of Booker T.), heavy guitar runs, frequent eruptions with flute and rock guitar, some spoken words in English, a dual- guitar sound with Hammond, a sparkling flute - and fiery guitar solo and a spectacular Minimoog solo with pitchbend, wow, what an exciting start by this new band on this debut album!

Circles: In the first part a catchy beat with a powerful bass and sparkling flute and Hammond layers, soon joined by the cheerful tin whistle. Then a swirling Hammond solo, sparkling flute work, fueled by awesome rhythm-section, (like 70s Camel with Peter Bardens). Halfway a nice break with spacey synthesizers, a hypnotizing rhythm-section, soaring flute work (the bass work reminds me of In A Gadda Da Vida from Iron Butterfly), subtle electric piano runs and a spacey slightly distorted guitar solo. The final part contains a more lush sound with flute traverse and a moving guitar solo.

Past Ground: First a dreamy intro with Andean flute-like sound, beautiful. Then a swinging rhythm with powerful flute work in the vein of Ian Anderson. Back to dreamy with soaring flute and Hammond, distorted vocals in a catchy beat. Next a short, more experimental part. Then a sumptuous eruption with Hammond, in a catchy beat with heavy guitar sound and sparkling flute, powerful vocals, and a fiery guitar solo, topped with an exciting Hammond solo. The band succeeds to blend obvious 70s prog echoes with a fresh and modern sound and strong musical ideas.

Thoughts of Revenge: This epic final composition is the most eclectic and dynamic one featuring lots of surprising changing atmospheres, the band in its full splendor. From a spacey intro synthesizer and soaring flute to a more polished sound with soulful vocals. From a rock guitar explosion with heavy Hammond and powerful vocals (evoking Pink Floyd) to a flashy synthesizer solo with pitchbend. And from a mellow climate with flute to halfway a slow swinging rhythm with omnipresent flute play. The final part delivers a compelling atmosphere with a strongly built up David Gilmour kind of guitar solo, this is Symphonic Rock Heaven!

What an excellent debut by this new Greek formation, loaded with dynamics, tension, strong musical ideas and exciting soli, and performed by skilled musicians, highly recommended!

Highlights include the hypnotic title track, a swirling Moog-driven instrumental, and "Saturn, Lord of the Ring / Mercury, the Winged Messenger", an epic prog suite blending classical influences with rock energy. While less commercially successful than later hits like "Blinded by the Light," Solar Fire remains a fan favorite for its ambition, atmosphere, and musicianship.

A must-listen for prog enthusiasts and 70s rock fans, this album proves Manfred Mann's Earth Band was far ahead of its time.