JAG ÄR TIDEN

This is my introduction to Landberk so far, an attenuated presentation tilted towards Swedish language versions of concurrent album pieces. While it's tempting to compare them to a whole host of brooding, atmospheric and, to varying degrees, "heavy" proponents of mostly Scandinavian prog, it's noteworthy that they were one of the first and possibly more influential.

All three tracks are vocal oriented, deliberate percussion and lucid guitar work mounting an efficient backdrop. The best of these is the opening number, even though it is the shortest. It sounds like the POLICE in an alternative universe, both vocally and musically, while being more thrilling than anything by that band. The remaining numbers are more conventionally Nordic, dark and spare, with subtle complexities and, yes, wondrous mellotron, like conversations in which the intent is succinctly expressed yet never directly conveyed.

If you've the time, and only a little for that matter, this EP might whet the appetite for a more sizable investment in the Landberk discography.