KEBNEKAISE III

With almost the same line-up as on their last record, Kebnekajse continues with turning traditional tunes into Rock music. The formula is similar to Kebnekajse II, with mostly traditional tracks and an Ingemar Böcker penned long piece at the end: "Ballade nom björnbär och nätmelon". This time there's two more original tracks though: "St. John" and "Mariamá".

First out is "Leksands Brudmarsch", a tune similar to "Barkbrödslåten" from Kebnekajse II but much better, the same goes to "Polska från Härjedalen" and "Eklundapolskan". "St. John" is written by band front man Kenny Håkansson and reminds a bit of Kebnekajses first album but this time adding electric violin to give it a folksy touch. "Skänklåt från spelman" is another traditional, this time with lyrics. As with Kebnekajse II, the only with vocals is strangely the weakest of the album.

Side B begins with "Polska från Bingsjö", a quite conventional traditional tune. Next is "Ballade nom björnbär och nätmelon". Written by Böcker as said, it is 13 minutes long and not too far away from Böckers "Comanche Spring" from Kebnekajse II. It's almost only a heavier and darker (and better!) version of "Comanche Spring". Last out is "Mariamá" written by percussionist Hassan Bah. It's a prelude to Kebnekajses next album, as well as a good closing track to this one.

I've compared this album quite extensively with Kebnekajses previous one, but they are indeed comparable. This is a second attempt at the same thing and though it's not bad this album doesn't reach Kebnekajse II. It does have a better, more atmospheric, sleeve cover though.