SPRINGSONG

The subject matter here is Spring, and if you live in a northern country like I do, then Spring will be one of your favourite seasons i'm sure. It's so good to see the snow disappear and the longer days arriving.The brown fields start to turn green as everything in nature seems to be reborn. Great time of year. This third album from HOSTSONATEN is surprisingly short compared to the first two at 45 minutes. They also have changed directions somewhat, going into a more acoustic, folky brand of music. More of a Celtic vibe here as well with the tin whistles, bagpipes and low whistles. Violin is added for the first time too. As beautiful as this album is at times, I do prefer the first two recordings to this one.This is all-instrumental as well.

"In The Open Fields" features some beautiful 12-string guitar that reminds me of Anthony Phillips. Flute and bass join in before violin arrives 3 minutes in. "Kemper / Springtheme" is led by the flute and drums early. Mellotron joins in.Tin whistle before 2 1/2 minutes as it becomes very Celtic sounding. Drums and guitar take over a minute later with violin joining in. The electric guitar 4 1/2 minutes in is amazing. "Living Stone And 1st Reprise" opens with acoustic guitar as SINKADUS-like flute comes in with drums then violin. It's the sax that really is prominant though the rest of the way. "She Sat Writing Letters On The Riverbank" is simply piano and violin throughout. Melancholic. Some sampled spoken words 3 minutes in.

"The Underwater And Second Reprise" is a change of pace as we get a jazzy tune. I like this one, especially the drumming and the guitar solo that lights things up to end it. Nice. "Lowtide" doesn't have much of a melody as drums, piano and violin make some sounds. The low whistle comes in giving us that Celtic vibe. "The Wood Is Alive With The Smell Of The Rain" is such a great title. Piano, flute and recorder early. A change 1 1/2 minutes in as drums arrive and the tempo picks up. I like this section. "Evocation Of Spring In A Fastdance" features acoustic instruments along with percussion. Violin comes in then piano. "Toward The Sea" is the 13 1/2 minute closer. It begins with a flute / drum led melody that is fairly uptempo. Sax and piano help out. Soaring guitar after 5 1/2 minutes is a treat with mellotron. Tin whistle after 7 minutes. The guitar rips it up before 10 minutes. Tin whistle a minute later with some nice drumming.

3.5 stars. A very pleasant album for sure, but for my tastes I can't give this 4 stars.