SPEGLUN

I discovered this album lot of time after having appreciated "Hrislan Og Straumurinn". Unfortunately the two albums don't have anything to do one each other.

The first track was quite a choc. American disco-funky of the 70s. Not bad, really. Something like Doobie Brothers' Long Train Running. Of course nothing progressive here.

"Memories" is a slow country-rock that reminds to the Family, maybe because of the voice quite similar to Roger Chapman. Better than the first. The flute gives it a touch of Canterbury. Surely I like this song more than the first.

The third track is entitled "Funky Beat". Unfortunately it's exactly what the title promises. I can't stand with people shouting "Come on" on the instrumental parts.... However the keyboard solo is remarkable. It has something of Wakeman. I mean the funkyest parts of Journey to the centre of Earth, but it's not enough for me to like this song. It also fades out.

"Lullaby" has a very promising folk intro of acoustic guitar and flute, but after few seconds of silence it becomes "too" folky just to turn into funky again. The voice here has a flavour of Creedence Clearwater Revival. When the flute is back afte 3:30 minutes, it acquires a Canterbury taste but when the guitar replaces the flute, it's almost identical to "Earth and Water song" of Humble Pie. Same chords, same organ and very similar guitar. When the tempo doubles and it's funky again it's absolutely not bad. In few words this track is a patchwork of genres with strong and weak segments.

The B-side opens with "Hugssin". A jazzy track with a total Canterbury flavour. Unfortunately we are in 1976 and they are sounding as Caravan were used to sound in 1969. A bit late. Not bad also this, but nothing special.

Finally, the title track. "Speglun" is between Caravan and Camel. About 8 very enjoyable minutes that are not enough to rate this album 3 stars. Because of its few good moments 2 stars are too few, but we don't have the possibility to rate half stars. Being this a non-essential album I won't round it high. If you are curious abut Eik doing funky you can give it a try. Also the last track partially saves your money, but you can surely find something better.

2.5 stars rounded low

One of the few progressive rock bands from Iceland,though the country had a decent rock movement back in the 70's.They were formed in 1972 and had quite a rich instrumentation,including moog synths,flutes and percussion among the usual rock instruments.They released a single in 1975 and a year later their debut ''Speglun'' was released on Steinar Records,while they even won the prize of band of the year.

A very uneven work,''Speglun'' opens Side A with the ridiculuous ''Stormy Monday'',a rather well played mix of Funk and Disco,but only suited for a Tom Jones album.''Memories'' is more decent,a smooth folk yet mainstream piece with loads of flutes.''Funky Beat'' is absolutely unlistenable,even worse Funk music than the first track,like if GENTLE GIANT played commercial music.''Lullaby'' starts as a folk ballad before getting into ''Keep on going'',typical Blues Rock with mediocre vocals,but the long instrumental section with organ,flutes and the bluesy guitar is quite good.

Side B consists of two long cuts and it seems like a different band performing. ''Hugssin'' starts as a lighter version of SUPERSISTER with nice interplays between flutes,moog synths and the rhythm section,before getting into folsky Symphonic Prog ala German band EDEN and ends up as a NATIONAL HEALTH/CAMEL tribute with fiery electric piano and driving flutes.The last eponymous track is not actually a complete composition but sounds as a long jam of Blues and Canterbury Jazz with great flutes,synths and decent bluesy/psych guitar work.

This album is exactly on the thin line between the good and the bad.Half of its content is Pop/Disco/Funk-oriented material of no interest,just a waste of time,the other half being good Progressive Rock with strong Blues,Folk and Canterbury overtones.If only 20 minutes of satisfying musicianship out of the 35 are enough for you,then you should go for it.My exact rate is 2.5 stars,unfortunately rounded down due to the limited time of interesting prog content.