Record Reviews

HAAKON ELLINGSEN ~ THE PLUM ALBUM TERMO 02 ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 4th album by Norwegian singer / songwriter Haakon EllingsenFind albums by this artist, one of the great music craftsmen who is able to combine Pop harmonies, Prog instrumentation and Psychedelic memories into beautiful songs, like only very few contemporary songwriters can. With help from several excellent Norwegian musicians, some of which are members of Norway´s great Prog bands like White WillowFind albums by this artist, Haakon creates a magical atmosphere of sophisticated Pop with Prog and Jazz undertones and exquisite melodies resembling the best of the 1960s output. However, this album goes way beyond simple nostalgic revisit of times long gone, adding contemporary values of excellent production and studio technology and bringing the 1960s legacy up to date. There is not much more I can (or should) add here, just relax and enjoy this great music and if you don´t have his earlier albums, grab them ASAP! Delightful!

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TUSMORKE ~ HINSIDES SVART 089 (Barcode: 6430050669744) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2015 - 2016 Released: 2017 This is the fourth album by Norwegian Prog group TusmorkeFind albums by this artist, which consists of twin brothers: vocalist / bassist Benedikt MomrakFind albums by this artist and vocalist / flautist Kristoffer MomrakFind albums by this artist (both playing a plethora of other instruments between them), keyboardist Lars Fredrik FroislieFind albums by this artist (who is also a member of other prominent Norwegian Prog bands like WobblerFind albums by this artist, White WillowFind albums by this artist and others) and drummer Martin Nordrum KneppenFind albums by this artist (also a member of Wobbler). Sverre JensenFind albums by this artist plays several instruments and adds some vocals and Morten ObyFind albums by this artist plays congas on one track. The album presents five original songs, all written by the Momrak brothers, By the time this album was recorded Tusmorke crystalized their group sound and musical direction, emerging as one of the most important contemporary Prog groups. The music, based on the tradition set by Prog Godfathers in the late 1960s / early 1970s, which is cautiously preserved, is however completely original, and offers an updated version of the original Prog sound and aesthetics. The music has a distinct Medieval atmosphere, with the flute and a plethora of analog synthesizers perfectly setting the aural background. The album’s magnum opus – a twenty-three+ minutes long suite – references to the 14th Century Black Death pandemic (how appropriate for the times this text is written), St. Sebastian and his role as protector against plague. The lyrics include Latin texts from Medieval sources, and the entire piece sounds like a soundtrack of a sacral rite. Beyond the strictly musical aspects of the album, which are all wonderful, it is great to see the intellectual involvement invested in this project, again something typical of the overall approach of the early Prog idiom. For fans of the original Prog, the music of Tusmorke is a true blessing and as the people who experienced that music at the time it was born, a most welcome resurrection and a relief of the shallow (musically and intellectually) Neo-Prog attempt to carry on. Quite possibly the young listeners exposed to this music might also seek out some of the original Prog recordings, which really lost nothing of their charm over the five decades that passed so quickly. This album is an absolutely essential listening experience and as such is wholeheartedly recommended. Hats off!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 01/03/2021

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WHITE WILLOW ~ EX TENEBRIS LASER`S EDGE 1029 (Barcode: 763232102927) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 2nd album. Even more refined and delicate then their debut, this is somewhat sombre, but wonderful music with dark ambient atmosphere and exquisit melodies. Anglagard`s drummer Mattian Olsson is the new member of the group and his touch is just right for this kind of music. It seems that Scandinavian Prog is somehow more moving and better done then most.

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WHITE WILLOW ~ IGNIS FATUUS LASER`S EDGE 1021 (Barcode: 763232102125) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 1st album by this brilliant Norwegian Prog band. White Willow combine Prog with Celtic and Scandinavian elements with such grace and finese that the effect is breathtaking. Add to ut some early music and you have a music that withstands the bounderies of time. Fronted by wonderful femal vocals, they enchant and spell from one song to the next. Absolutely wonderful!

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WHITE WILLOW ~ SACRAMENT LASER`S EDGE 1034 ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 3rd album. Slightly more complex then the previous release, the band manages to continue in the same direction, but come closer to the Prog genre, with longer pieces and more instrumental passages. The flute becomes more dominant and the atmosphere us less subdued. Nevertheless this is ever bit as brilliant as the previous album and lovers of Scandinavian Prog will enjoy this to the max!

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WHITE WILLOW ~ SIGNAL TO NOISE LASER`S EDGE 1046 (Barcode: 763232104624) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 5th album by the Norwegian Prog group White WillowFind albums by this artist, which earned quite a following with their top class releases so far. As usual, they keep changing the line-up and musical style from album to album and this one is no exception. Following the trend of their last release, they strengthen the hard rock elements considerably and take a much more straight-ahead approach to the songwriting this time, which takes this album closer to the Prog Metal sub-genre than anything they recorded previously. The female lead singer does an excellent job and the production of the album is superb, but many of their traditional fans might find this music to harsh for their taste. On the other hand they might reach a completely new audience this time around.

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WHITE WILLOW ~ STORM SEASON LASER`S EDGE 1038 ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock 4th album from 2004 by this excellent Norwegian band. After a few more personell changes and some new musical directions they produced another superb release, definitely keeping up with their tradition. This one is more `conventional` Prog then their earlier stuff, but there is nothing ordinary about this of course - on the contrary. The atmpsphere is still dark at times resembling other Scandinavian releases (Anglagard, Anekdoten), with slight Metal touch between the lines. All in all another worthwhile efford and a great listen.

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WHITE WILLOW ~ TERMINAL TWILIGHT LASER`S EDGE 1060 (Barcode: 763232106024) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is the 6th album by Norwegian Prog band White WillowFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist / composer Jacob Holm-LupoFind albums by this artist, who composed all the music and wrote all the lyrics (well, almost), and fronted by female vocalist Sylvia SkjellestadFind albums by this artist. This time it took five years in the making, which of course was worth waiting for, but perhaps is an indication of the deep crisis Prog is experiencing as far as creativity and progress itself is concerned. The band is expanded to a sextet here and with four guest musicians playing on some of the tracks it is a collective work of ten participants. Is some respect stylistically this album is a step back from the Prog-Metal sound of its predecessor, returning to the captivating dark and melancholic sound so characteristic of true Scandinavian Prog. Personally I more than approve of that decision, as the result is stronger and much more impressive than previously. This is complex music, which requires attentive and perhaps repetitive listening, but as usually with this band it is all well worth the effort. It´s good to know that one can still count on some people to create worthwhile music in this crazy world of ours. This is a must to the numerous fans of the band and all connoisseurs of Scandinavian Prog. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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