WOODPECKER

I have seen this artist live this year on the same concert in Stockholm I saw Fairport Convention when they visited and as she said then Fairport Convention were amongst her influences. Anna Myrsten is a Swedish singer songwriter who's music has been describes psychedelic folk pop and I agree. On some of these tracks she also happens to be progressive. Her first record "Woodpecker" has many competent musicians: Anna herself plays guitar and sings, Reine Fiske plays guitar and seven more men make this record a success. The cover shows a girl standing in an elegant room with the nature outside.

I like the result of the making of this record a lot. I am, to be honest really impressed. When I heard her live I liked what I heard but this record had made me a fan. All eight tracks aren't equally good and I can't say the album is perfect but some of the songs are really perfect. Annamy's best moments take place when she hits a simple melody with a special touch and an atmospheric audiovision in the background. I think she manages to do that a lot more on the first side than on the other side. "Snowflakes" shocks us with its perfection. It's hard to not love her Joni-Mitchell-a-like voice and the special hint of surprise this song is dwelled in. Also the title track "Woodpecker" is magic; the most progressive one to with a psychedelic intro, and a beautiful melody and harmonies too. "Care" is more of a psychedelic pop song but lovely still. "Stegen" is the only song in Swedish and a new example of "progg" not far from what Turid Lundqvist did in the seventies. I like the flute and the different melody. The b-side doesn't catch the same perfected feeling. "Come and sit" is best and the other three ones are also great, the last song is calmer and more stuck between time and space - but none here does what the earlier mentioned songs do.

I look forward to hear more tunes and records from Anna Myrsten which is a very promising debut. The production is very well done, professional and authentic. I recommend it for lovers of folk rock and folk prog as well as singer/songwriters and trubadours. I hope more here at Prog Archives will find it and show the world their opinion. Recommended!!