GRAVITY

The latest Anekdoten output "Gravity" seems to break new ground for the band. Four years after "From Within" we get to know that Anna Sofi Dahlberg leaves her Cello at home, but the most obvious change refers to the style of their music wich is going away from the so called Retroprog to alternative-rock with progressive elements. But that's just a slight development, Anekdoten still makes good prog and "Gravity" is just noticeable more accessible than former albums.

"Monolith" and "Ricochet" are two taditional, Anekdoten typical songs with heavy guitars and strong mellotron, wonderful and melancolic, very swedish. "The war is over" is the first song that seems to be different. Dominated by acoustic guitar with the mellotron staying in the background. The song also is slightly reminiscent of former Pink Floyd songs. "What should but did not die" sounds similar and heads for the same direction. "SW4" seems to be a bit Trip Hop influenced and sounds like songs of their fellow countrymen Paatos. This song has nothing to do with former Anekdoten songs and I can imagine that some fans have difficulties with it. Nevertheless I for one like it very much, especially the melancolic touch wich is typical for Anekdoten and swedish bands in general. The 8 minute title song, wich is the longest on "Gravity", combines some Radiohead passages with characteristic Anekdoten parts in form of heavier guitar breakouts and broad mellotron. "The games we play" again is more acoustic and has, just like "The war is over" some similarities to 60' psychodelic music à la Pink Floyd. The instrumental "Seljak" (wich simply means "peasant") is more dynamic with stong use of guitars and organ and some vibraphone in the end.

Some songs seem to show a new direction refering to the bands general style but I think that these changes are not really serious when it comes to decide if Anekdoten is still prog (wich someone really wanted to discuss on a german prog site...). But if you expect "Gravity" to sound like their first two releases "Vemond" and "Nucleus" I have to let you down because in comparison to these albums the changes on "Gravity" are perspicuous. But "Gravity" remains a really good album from a band wich I begin to appreciate more and more. 3,5 stars for their fourth studio release. I hope we will hear more of them in the future.