SLEEPING IN TRAFFIC - PART ONE

When I started to review this album, I had the idea that this was a new USA band with their debut release but thanks to Prog-jester (who did the other Beardfish review), I discovered this band is from Sweden and somewhere I read that they will perform on a Dutch progrock festival in June or July.

The sound of Beardfish on their third CD is quite alternating and I am impressed by the tasteful arrangements, strong vocals and instrumental variety: the short intro On The Verge Of Sanity contains accordeon, then the next track Sunrise delivers good interplay between guitar and organ, an interlude with warm piano play and in my opinion the vocals are an extra instrument! The other seven tracks range from dreamy, swinging and bombastic to fluent rhythms and even blues like in Harmony featuring delicate work on guitar, organ and vocals. Very progressive/symphonic are the compositions The Ungodly Slob (fiery guitar, lush organ and a sensational synthesizer solo), Year Of The Knife (swinging with the sound of the clavinet, a biting guitar solo and suddenly in the final part a short violin solo) and Same Old Song (wonderful keyboards, varied guitar play and a compelling final part).

I you are up to varied and adventurous prog, this new album by Beardfish will delight you!