BLOMLJUD

For my first PA review, I feel Moon Safari's sophomore album is a great place to start. The little advisory window told me to only give zeros and fives out sparingly as they greatly affect the overall score the album gets, so I can confidently say this one deserves the fifth star.

To begin, I was among the first American audience to ever hear this phenomenal band live at ROSfest and they were completely amazing and humble. They ended their show with the first song on [blomljud], an almost Beach Boys-y (think "A Young Man is Gone" but much happier) accapella tune, "Constant Bloom." This subtle, yet tuneful and easily reprise-able melody sets the stage for one of the most light-hearted and upbeat albums my ears have ever heard.

The sound is very much Yes-inspired symphonic prog, which just a hint of folk (see the the main melodies and banjo rolls in "Yasgur's Farm"). I read that Tomas Bodin had something to do with their first album, and someone's first impression is to name them Flower Kings clones. Sure there are some Kings-like moments, such as the instrumental track, "Moonwalk," which reminded me of "Pioneers of Aviation" just a smidge, but they are hardly worship and not distracting at all.

The really treat are the band members voices even accomodating jazz chord modulations in the (count 'em) 5-part harmonies. Don't let my mention of jazz let you think fusiony breakdowns and solos up the yin-yang. Think subtle modulations that only enhance the happy factor.

The epic of the album, "The Other Half of the Sky," really flexes the prog muscle with its epic form, multiple movements and astonishly beautiful melodic ending.

While this CD is nothing new, it is a grade-A slab of symphonic prog. It's refreshing and quite upbeat, the perfect soundtrack to a pleasant summer.