DESTINED SOLITAIRE

Swedish prog formation Beardfish their latest effort (8th album) is from 2015 (with the funny title +4626 ' Comfortzone) and the latest Beardfish review on PA is from January 2018. I would like to go back to their fifth CD entitled Destined Solitaire from 2009, featuring a colourful, intricate triple fold-out-cover painting.

It sounds as a logical successor of their previous CD, the highly acclaimed Sleeping In Traffic : Part Two (2008): a varied, dynamic and a bit quirky sound, lots of interesting musical ideas and influences that range from The Beatles and Frank Zappa to Gentle Giant, Yes and Spock's Beard.

Their variety is incredible, just listen to the totally different atmospheres in the first four compositions.

A pleasant keyboard-oriented sound (lots of Hammond along piano and harpsichord) with a catchy beat in the instrumental Awaken The Sleeping.

The focus on fiery and biting electric - and delicate acoustic guitar work, with hints from Led Zeppelin in the exciting, often heavy rocking title track.

Around 15 minutes with captivating shifting moods and wonderful vintage keyboards (Hammond, Mellotron) in Until You Comply Including Entropy.

And a sound similar to Frank Zappa in the swinging In Real Life There Is No Algebra (even the humor of Frank Zappa!). What an interesting musical journey!

Very special is the alternating instrumental Coup De Grace (a tribute to keyboard player and singer Rikard his grandfather) due to the blend of accordion, this gives the climate a Parisian touch, beautiful!

I am very pleased with the omnipresence of the powerful and distinctive Hammond organ on this album, like in the tracks Where The Rain Comes In (strong interplay between bass and Hammond) and the compelling Abigail's Questioning (a swinging clavinet solo and a sensational fiery guitar solo with lush Mellotron). And especially in the splendid final composition The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of: varied vintage keyboards (Moog, Hammond and Mellotron) and a bombastic final part featuring a propulsive rhythm-section and spectacular Hammond work with a subtle wink to The Nice.

Although at some moments to me Beardfish sounds a bit without direction because of too many ideas in one song or a 'jam- session-like structure', in general Destined Solitaire delivers lots of interesting and captivating progrock, a big hand for these four creative Swedish minds!

My rating: 3,5 star.