LOVER'S END

Ladies and Gentlemen, hold on to your hats, the Boys from the land of prog have done it again! Lover's End showcases, in many ways, the continued development of musical and interpersonal insight between the members of this rock sextet. We are introduced for the first time in this latest addition to the Moon Safari legacy, to a new member of the band. The addition of Sebastian Åkesson officially makes the lineup of Moon Safari 50% from the same family (yes, he is the younger brother of Simon and Pontus). Sebastian plays some keyboard and some guitar parts, and for the first time, Moon Safari has a true bass vocalist!

Those who have listened to any of Moon Safari's previous albums will agree that the band is characterized by their overwhelmingly optimistic and happy lyrics and melodies. Many fans regard Moon Safari music as an excellent remedy for the blues, and claim that popping in a Moon Safari disc will turn any frown upside down. If you think that Lover's End will do the same for you however, you are probably mistaken! While the music and the lyrics are, in their own ways, incredibly beautiful and can definitely be elating in parts, this album will probably make you feel a bittersweet melancholy rather than outright happiness and joy.

The lyrical theme addressed by every single song is heartbreak, and the pain of lost love. The album starts out with a beautiful melancholy piano and vocal line in "Lover's End, Pt. I," which builds into a very mellow, but not unhappy instrumental arrangement that caries through another vocal part, and then through to an acoustic guitar and Mellotron flute arrangement. The song is an excellent overture and introduction to the rest of the album, and segues directly into track two, "a Kid Called Panic."

rating: 4/5

"A Kid Called Panic" is perhaps, the most outstanding piece of music the band has ever released (yes, it's even better than Other Half of the Sky), and may in fact be the top song of 2010 (although this is highly subjective). It is an upbeat rock waltz that tells the story of a man suffering from post-divorce depression. In his depression, he has become withdrawn and introverted, and is apparently an alcoholic. This musically and lyrically contradictory song features wonderful instrumental parts and the most addictive chorus I've ever heard.

rating: 5/5

"Southern Belle" Starts out with an a cappella intro, after which a mellow piano line takes over, decorated with some solo singing from Simon Åkesson, as well as some more stunningly beautiful vocal harmonies.

rating: 5/5

"The World's Best Dreamers" starts out very melodic and very calm, then leads into a fantastic chorus. after a second verse and chorus, a synth driven instrumental line takes over, and take the song into a new key. The chorus is repeated in the new key (and shows off the unbelievably high notes that the band members are able to hit).

rating: 5/5

"New York City Summer Girl" is a rocking tune penned by Mr. Johan Westerlund (who also provides the lead vocals for the track, reminiscent of Bluebells on [Blomljud]). It tells the story of a romantic fling, and does a very good job of not taking its self too seriously.

rating: 4/5

"Heartland" Is a booming track with a complicated rhythm and a very catchy melody. It features virtuosic playing and some truly marvelous synth lead playing from Mr. Åkesson.

rating: 4/4

"Crossed the Rubicon" Comes runner-up to a Kid Called Panic for the best song on the album. It is a heart-tugging, powerful, beautiful song that brings with it a distinct feeling of nostalgia and heartache. Laced with outstanding vocal harmonies, and spine-tingling solo vocals at the end delivered impeccably again by Mr. Åkesson, this track serves as the magnificent and awe-inspiring climax to the entire album, summing everything up and forming a very concise conclusion.

rating: 5/5

"Lover's End Pt. II" is the closing track to the album, and at first listen almost seems to have been thrown in as an afterthought, but once the album begins to reveal its "bigger picture," perhaps after four or five listens, it actually makes for a very appropriate epilogue. The lyrics in this short track are possibly the strongest lyrics ever featured in a Moon Safari song, and speak very clearly to those who have suffered from heartache before.

rating: 4/5