HILLS

HILLS' debut is relatively short, but still an eventful trip. Because they don't make any promotion (not counting the gigs) you need some luck to get in touch or really have to search for such a band, especially when you're outside of Sweden. Probably overshadowed by acts like First Band From Outer Space, The Spacious Mind, Darxtar or Oresund Space Collective to name only a few other similar genre bands all coming from that country. The HILLS members just play music together for fun, far away from any commercial goals ... and any limits equally.

This trio basically comprises the standard rock instrumentation guitar, bass and drums ... not exlusively though and so the first track Death 1 shows some charming laid back flute contributions by Kalle. This is a trippy one based on a deep hypnotic bass, but not completely mellow and silky - you will also detect rather creepy sounds plus voice samples on the other hand and an interesting nervous guitar acting in the background. Yeah, five minutes which have plenty to offer!

Istiklal Street now evolves as a cosmic adventure - the background music for a dangerous excursion through time and space with soaring and delayed guitars. The surprising aspect though follows when they suddenly turn into a heavier direction, once again forced by the powerful rhythm instruments. Ex Oblivione is a short outtake more in the vein of FBFOS where You Talk The Talk obviously includes early Kraftwerk (Ruckzuck) inspirations. Trippy grooving, connecting to the opening song, Rainship finally is the album's ultimate jam - an intriguing cocktail of meandering guitars, slightly eastern flavoured drones, musical box alike sounds, diverse samples.

HILLS offer psychedelic and spacey sounds provided with krautrock leanings and a rather experimental approach, an enjoyable blend of mellow, heavy and weird impressions. Hardly surprising, this album is nearly sold out in the meanwhile, but actually there is no intention for a re-issue. So if you add yourself to the fans of the aformentioned style(s) you should hurry up to reach for one of the rare vinyl exemplars - 3.5 stars.