THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

A lot of great music has flown out over us this year, and even if it's not near the magic of the seventies it's still enjoyable. Airbag's record is one of them which has got much appreciation, that is not unusual when a record is new. I can hear what is attractive on this record even if I'm not as amused as others. Airbag is a Norwegian band with three records in their collection: "Identity" from 2009, "All rights removed" from 2011 and now "The greatest show on earth" from 2013. That is, must I say, a fay title already and the listeneds get high expectations. In Airbag, Asle Tostrup sings and plays keyboards, Björn Riis plays guitar, keyboard and bass, Henrik Fossum drums and Anders Hovdam plays bass. The cover is a little odd but not very "proggy", it's melancholic and cold. One detail is that the record is released at Karisma Records - a name that is not unfamiliar to prog fans all over the world. I will begin will telling you what I think is this records advantages.

What I like most is the vocals. Asle Tostrup has a beautiful voice which could have been used more on this record. It would have been interesting if he sung in Norwegian but we can't get everything we want. The vocals are atmospheric and distinct and I like the English accent. Airbag shows much guitar. That instrument is well played over the whole record but I miss a more characteristic sound, this is in some way too ordinar. The music is partially heavy and artistic but it's too bland for me. I lack the prog sound here, perhaps it sounds a bit like Pink Floyd, the sound is quite atmospheric but it don't get me all way. The vocal parts works well and they are what I like most here. I think "Redemption" is the best track(8/10), I suppose it has some form of magic and three more tracks are rather sophisticated - I understand why people consider it more than "good": "Silence Grows"(7/10), "The greatest show on earth" and "Surveillance(Pt.s 2-3)" has a lot of qualities even if I find them uninteresting. "Call me back" (5/10) is boring in my ears.

I will give this record three stars of five. I understand why people like it. The group does nothing wrong and the spaced sound is honest but I can't collect any deep feelings for this. I am also confused with the classification; this is not what I think is "Neo-Prog". Of course it's new, but I though neo-prog used to be more symphonic oriented. Three stars!