LOVER'S END PT. III: SKELLEFTEÅ SERENADE

Skelleftea Serenade probably should have been the song that would have made Lover's End a double cd...it would have made sense. However, I've come to the conclusion that they did the right thing in making us wait for it. 2 years after the release of Lover's End, we are brought back to revisit Mary. It's a bittersweet reunion, and they've managed to capture the same dose of melancholy and beauty as in the previous chapters of the story, but they've magnified it somehow. It's definitely a rollercoaster ride of an epic, taking the best melodies of Pts. 1 and 2 and sprinkling them into different sections of this song. It should be said, however, that there is enough fresh and original material in this track that it can't be discounted as a 'rehash' of what they had previously done; all of the melodies are, as with everything else these guys do, infectious...once you hear them, you'll have them in your head for hours to come. Lyrically, as well as musically, it's another work of genius, and the playing...each member brought their best playing to the record, and this time around, they weren't afraid to really 'rip up their instruments.' I find it unbelievable the way that they can capture so much emotion and convey it to the listener via a recording; in one part about 15 minutes into the song, Simon Akesson 'borrows' the flute's melody at the end of Pt. 1, and uses it for his vocal melody line; between the words that he's singing and the passion in his voice, you feel like you are the one who sees Mary on the street after all those years went by. Did you ever come across an old lover that you never got over and stop to talk to her? Remember that chilly, uneasy feeling you had in that moment? Simon takes you right back there, and it has to be heard to be believed. Bottom line...this is yet another masterpiece from a band who is growing by leaps and bounds with every release, and it is really cool to hear what they are growing into. If you haven't heard anything else by them, by all means, don't make this your first...go out and least buy Lover's End first, because the more familiar you are with that album, the more amazing Lover's End Pt. 3 will be for you.

On a side note, I read a review of this release that said 'you have to look past the cheesy stuff', or something like that. I found nothing in this song that would fit that description; when the music is that well-written, the instrumentation is a beautiful as it is here, the lyrics are as profound and witty as they can be, and the whole thing is played and sung to jaw-dropping perfection, there can be nothing cheesy about it. This is 25 minutes of a perfect listening experience. Very well done, boys!