HINTERLAND

Norwegian Neo-prog artists Wobbler have put together an album of three instrumental symphonic epics, none of which are less than 12 minutes long, all of it in the vein of Swedish prog revivalist legends, Änglagård.

1. "Serenade for 1652" (0:41)

2. "Hinterland" (27:47) Over the the rhythm tracks often feel like something from a 1960s DOORS song. Then, at 8:25, the band tries to move into GENTLE GIANT territory for a bit. In the eleventh minute, then, they move into one of the GENESIS "Supper's Ready" motifs before segueing into a mediæval lute-like piece which then gets joined by recorder and harpsichord. Very cool! (And very GRYPHON-like). At the begining of the fourteenth minute the band slowly transitions back into 20th century instruments (thick Chris-Squire-like bass and tons of Mellotron) before hitting some VDGG and ELP themes. (Sounds so much like 2020s DAAL!) Unfortunately, the second half of the song's motifs don't always find their mark--get a little dull and tedious (even repetitive with the acoustic guitar break/interlude in the 23rd minute). I guess we're exploring some of the territory traversed by the past RPI masters (not always my favorites). A little too plodding and Hammond centered. (49/55)

3. "Rubato Industry" (12:45) The Änglagård School of Modern Prog definitely comes through with this one, though there are flashes of Future Wobbler in a couple richly harmonized vocal passages and quite some URIAH HEEP present in the second half. Decent! (21.667/25)

4. "Clair Obscur" (15:37) long Mellotron solo opens and lasts two minutes. Then piano and flute introduce an entirely new passage. Int he fourth minute we switch to gently plucked 12-string guitar and Mellotron flute notes as Rickenbacker bass and Hammond creep up from the background. For the next three minutes Hammond and 'trons are backed by YES-like rhythm section with a Steve Howe clone playing C&W guitar in a very YES-familiar passage. Great imitation/replication. I'm just looking for a little more originality--if not sonically or dynamically, at least compositionally. Ominous ninth minute bass play evolves into a NIL-like passage which slowly morphs into a VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR motif before switching suddenly into GENTLE GIANT before going BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO. There's even a little TONY BANKS/MIKE OLDFIELD homage in the final 90 seconds. Beautiful! (26.75/30)

Total Time 56:50

Nice work if, also like Änglagård, lacking the hooks and pulls that draw the listener in and holds them there. The 28-minute title song is probably my favorite due to its varied styles, themes, and broad dynamics. I really appreciate the band's avoidance of gated drum effects for the drums (makes the drummer seem much more alive and noticeable). Both the instrumental and compositional skills of the entire band are top notch--and this is only their first album!

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection. If you love hearing and trying to spot all of the reverent homage moments of a retro-focused band's music, this is one album for you!