HINTERLAND

This new Norweigan band sounds very much like their counterparts, dark, brooding and steeped in 70's nostalgia. Parts Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis with newer bands like White Willow, IQ and Anglagard. They are like a beef stew, but I hate to say, without the beef. Starting off with track one, it's 41 seconds and one has to scratch your head and ask, "what's the point?". Track two, "Hinterland" is the opus, and here is where all the problems begin. It's a meandering massive track with bits and pieces of all the bands listed above. Don't get me wrong, they play very, very well, but with all the false endings leading to new sections, there's nothing to bite your teeth on, hence the beef-less stew comparision. The vocalist doesn't help things by singing in such a hushed tone. Granted, there's a theme, somewhat, but it never grabs you. It just pops up every once in awhile, and the ending builds and builds then ends rather weakly, very disappointing. Track three, "Rubato Industry" is the best track up until about 7 minutes in, then the ugly false ending monster appears, streching the song out another 5 minutes of meaningless twadling. Missed opportunity, but better singing. The last song is instrumental, "Clair Obscur" is a song akin to Anglagard, and they do a good job of it, buts it's the classic case of 'been there, done it before'. So in retrospect, all musician, especially Froislie and his mountain of endless keyboards, do a respectable job mimicking the masters, (Squire, Howe, Banks), but, like the creature on the excellent album cover, it lulls you into a restful slumber. I'll look forward to a second album which, I hope, will be tightened up a bit more and condensed. Good, but definately not essential!