FARLIG VANDRING

4.5 stars. Norway's PANZERPAPPA had humble beginnings to say the least, starting life as the idea of drummer Trond Gjellum in the summer of 1996. Trond made up the name PANZERPAPPA feeling that his personal name was too boring. The problem was he couldn't find any like-minded musicians who were into the music of those classic Rio/Avant/Canterbury bands he loved. So he shelved it.

The following year Trond was asked to participate in a band who wanted to play in a festival that had the theme of the Lord Of The Rings. It was just one show, but during the rehearsals for it he found out that Steinar Borve who was a keyboardist/sax player was also into SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, HENRY COW and UNIVERS ZERO. So they agree to collaborate down the road and early in 1998 PANZERPAPPA came into existence as the two of them add a guitarist and bass player, and eventually release their debut in 2000. Clearly the two additions to this band weren't as "into" the music they were playing, as neither would last until this third album, released in 2004 called "Farlig Vandring".

It was while playing with Richard Sinclair of all people that Trond asked the bass player and the guitarist of that band about joining PANZERPAPPA, and they agreed. The bass player Anders Krabberod was a huge VDGG fan along with other like minded bands and some modern composers. He's playing 4 and 5 string fretted basses, and a ten string Chapman stick here. We also get guitarist Jarle Storlokken was into jazz and prog. We have a four piece now that would last. And this their first release together is in my opinion their best. But this album along with the next two recordings they would release are my three favourites. The first one after those three is called "Pestrottedans" from 2016 where they expanded to a five piece, and I felt that it was a step down from the previous three.

It's Christmas! D-Day, where God sent his Son to rescue planet earth. I love this day and wanted something special to review. I have been on an Avant binge for many months but that is coming to a close really soon. I wanted to pick something from what I had left to review that was positive and happy but also lights-out good. It was an easy choice. So many people call this happy music. And yes I mentioned Richard Sinclair earlier and he would guest singing on PANZERPAPPA's next release after this called "Koralrevins Klagesang" from 2006. Great record and the first ever from Norway that I bought. I have several more now(haha).

I've been re-spinning this all last week, and what a pleasure. This is jazzy avant music that is just so positive. This is like SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA in mood, but I like this better than any of the brilliant albums from that Swedish band. We get two guest violinists adding their talents to that second track, which is the longest at over 10 1/2 minutes. And a vibes player guests on two tracks. We get six tracks and just under 50 minutes.

And yes I have a top three. The self-titled opener is great the way they repeat themes. Very melodic and I really like the sound of the sax, bass and drums here. The guitar and mellotron also add a lot. "Troubling Truffles" the third song is different from the rest. I like the guest vibes along with the organ and that urgent rhythm section. Final top three is the fifth track "The Bicycle Gnome Bug". Especially the rhythm section, I mean the bass is awesome here. The rhythm section stops being the focus 2 1/2 minutes in as it turns fuller, then back to the rhythm section and mellotron 4 minutes in.

Love the cover art. Love the music. I find it interesting that guitarist Jarle Storlokken was not only on this 2004 release but he also played on the final FRUITCAKE record "Man Overboard" also from 2004. It was a great day today!