SKIT I ALLT

The Swedish band here definitely taking a foray into a more upbeat, psychedelic pop-oriented direction. They've decided they're flower children. And they're successful! It works! This is really good!

1. "Vara snabb" (3:10) a poppy instrumental in which flute takes the central lead in place of a voice. Nice song. (9/10)

2. "Min enda vän" (3:15) more upbeat pop with claps and major scale key. Sensitive vocals and strings and flute contribute to this song's universal accessibility. Definitely a top three song. (9.25/10)

3. "Brallor" (3:15) following a kind late-1960s "dirty" psych-pop musical style similar to The Association or The Pretty Things, popular female vocalist Anna Järvinen matches up very well to Gustaf Ejstes. Another top three song. (9/10)

4. "Soda" (3:39) sensitive guitars, acoustic and electric, are matched with sensitive multi-track vocals. Reine gets some shine-time and the drum-and-strum supported chorus sections are awesome. Beautiful "Flower Child" song. A top three song for me. (9.5/10)

5. "Högdalstoppen" (4:44) an psych-jazzy instrumental to let Reine loose--in which the Inner Hendrix is set free. Even the support band sounds and feels like Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. (8.5/10)

6. "Skit i allt" (2:59) back to pop--a melodic structure not as engaging to Americans because of the Swedish lyrics. (8.5/10)

7. "Barnen undrar" (3:21) a kind of hybrid of psychedelic fuzz guitar into a pop song. Oddly, it works: it's as if Reine's guitar and Ejstes' voice are having a conversation. (8.75/10)

8. "Blandband" (3:49) opens like a Vince Guaraldi Peanuts song with piano, jazz drums, and syncopated clapping creating the uptempo fabric of what will stay an instrumental song. Reine's reined in guitar joins in during the second or third "verse" and is very spacious and respectful in its contributions. Flute, clapping, and excellent drumming really carry the tune start to finish. (8.75/10)

9. "Nästa sommar" (3:20) acoustic guitar and congas are soon joined by Byrds-like picked electric guitar. The song takes a minute to gel, but then Gustaf's vocal sense and Pan-like flute play bring it together. (8.5/10)

10. "Marken låg stilla" (2:55) Paul McCartney-like piano chords open this before cymbal-heavy drums and bass join in to support Gustaf's vocal. Reine's heavy electric guitar joins in during the first chorus and then persists. Not sure Reine's and Gustaf's visions for this song/album are in sync here. (8/10)

Total Time: 34:27

Though Reine Fiske's guitar contributions are, in my opinion, not always the best fit for several of these songs, I think the band's crossover into a more pop-oriented realm of music is justified--they have the talent and skill to be successful there--especially in a world that is very much interested in a renaissance of hippy/flower child styles and dreams.

B/four stars; a nice addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you love the psych pop of the late 1970s.