THE ALL EUROPEAN HERO

I really have a soft spot for this band but this is my least favourite album from them. I'm not sure what happened to the guitar on this one, but synths, vocals and drums dominate. Lots of calm passages on this one.They thank ANEKDOTEN, FLOWER KINGS and MANTICORE in the liner notes "For making the Swedish art-scene so...Swedish."

"The All European Intro" hits the ground running with a synth/drum melody. It stops as we hear some samples 2 minutes in followed by gentle piano. Reserved vocals before 3 minutes. A full sound 4 minutes in. I like the calm with atmosphere 7 minutes in as we get waves of synths. Great section. It kicks back in with drums and synths to end it. "Trafalger Square" continues with the drums and synths. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. This is such a feel good passage.I'm reminded of RUSH as the synths come back in around 4 minutes. A calm with lots of atmosphere 5 1/2 minutes in to end it. "The Russian Ice Princess" opens with piano and almost spoken vocals. Some actual heaviness 1 1/2 minutes in as piano continues.The heaviness leaves before 3 minutes. Passionate vocals a minute later. Solo piano 5 minutes in to end it.

"Jack's Slumber Party" is a mellow track with piano and vocals leading the way. Tasteful guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. "Paternity Suite" is another laid back song with vocals,drums and synths standing out. The tempo picks up as the synths get crazyy. Nice bass lines before 5 minutes. "Seeking Knowledge" opens with strummed guitar and reserved vocals as drums follow. I like the guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. The song is getting better as it plays out. The acoustic guitar 5 minutes in sounds great. "European Anthem" is an instrumental but some brief vocals come in with piano to end it. Some prominant bass in this one after 4 1/2 minutes when the sound gets fuller. Before that solo piano then synths dominate. "Repent" is an uptempo track that is a welcomed change. This reminds me of mid-eighties RUSH.

Good album but that's all.