SPEKTRUM

"Spektrum"
(Progress Records, 2003)

Tracks
1 Spektrum (0:22)
2 Land of longing (5:39)
3 Now (9:24)
4 Perpetuum Mobile (5:55)
5 The Quest (5:16)
6 Ivory tower (5:57)
7 A chemical release (8:52)

Line Up:
Olov Andersson (Grand Stand): Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Turkish Mini Bells and Vocals
Hansi Cross (Cross): Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals and Additional Keyboards 
Lizette von Panajott: Vocals and Additional Keyboards 
G�ran Fors (Galleon): Basses, Vocals and Taurus Pedals 
G�ran Johnsson (Grand Stand): Drums, Vocals, Electric Guitar and Additional Keyboards

Much has talked from Nucleus about the mythical Swedish scene. Many have also been able to appreciate Flower Kings' talent, P�r Lindh or Anekdoten personally for their shows in Argentina. Evidently something good it happens in those lands if apart from the big artists that we know they continue appearing projects and disks like Spektrum. 

This brilliant new band was formed in a way a so much matter. The keyboardist of the excellent grouping Grand Stand, Olov Andersson, had much material that it didn't consider appropriate to work with its band, and it proposes Hansi Cross, guitarist and leader of the group Cross, to help him in a possible disk soloist. It consents immediately, since also it participated in the production of Grand Stand very good second disk, and they also summon the bassoonist of the excellent grouping Galleon, one of the most brilliant of the last decade, G�ran Fors. As drummer Grand Stand member enters who had carried out a great work in the first ones we give of this material, G�ran Johnsson. But the vocal work left certain doubts, since of having singing anyone of the members it had referred too much to its own band. For that reason Hansi Cross proposes the vocalist Lizette von Panajott, a brilliant nearer singer to the alternative styles that progressive classic. But the combination worked, and the evidence is this fantastic one I dial premiere, Spektrum. 

The style of the album can sign up in the majestic and melodic tendencies of the intermediate period of Genesis, near "A Trick of the Tail" and "Wind and Wuthering". The combination of the keyboards of Andersson (and the mattresses provided for almost all the other members) and the guitar of Cross remits the big and memorable passages of Banks and Hackett in its good times. And it is not far from certain instants of disks soloists' of Banks quality like "Soundtracks" (track "Lion of Symmetry", next to Toyah), or "Another Murder of a Day" of "Still", or the brilliant "An Island in the Darkness" of "Strictly Inc". All this sifted in a very fresh sound, solid, as if it had been this their fifth disk after years of working together. 

The melodic and rhythmic turns are constant, with moving moments in the climax of the tracks. To observe if not "Perpetuum Mobile" closing (from the three and a half minutes until the end) and to try not to be moved with that piece. Or "The Quest" wonderful development", with a great work of Andersson and a beautiful one alone of Cross. Or "Ivory Tower" marked energy, of dramatic tone enhanced by the great game vowel of the members. We could almost mention each passage of the whole disk, since one goes repairing in the details as it listens more and more to the album. 

Spektrum is a vastly advisable disk, a true auditory pleasure that continues confirming to the Nordic country as an ideal scenario to discover new sounds that confirm the unquestionable talent of many of the recent artists of the progressive gender. 

 

Andr�s Valle