IN OUR NATURE

Oh a modern symphonic progressive rock group from my own country has released their debut album last year. How interesting I thought; I must listen immediately. I did and here's my opinion. This was a nice listening over all. I was pleased, but not amazed. This is a five man group featuring Hannes Ljunghall, Björn Westén, Bruno Edling, Phillip Bastin and Gustav Nyber. The record has a cover with a nature theme in black and white. I was expecting exciting music with many referencies and maybe a hidden musically gem.

In out nature contains seven tracks and the total play time is enough to make a perfect prog record, not too little and not too much. The first piece "In my nature" begins with very modern sounds. You can almost hear a xylophone (or something similar). It develops when the keyboard gets higher. Already from the first track I had problem with the vocals, I don't think they are very good. This problem continues on the whole record. Perhaps it's too quiet or just not as special as I would covet. "L'Ancien Régime" is the records best track. The singing in the beginning is carefull and quits fast leading into a journey of nice keyboard work. This track is really symphonic. "The road to Hylach" contains good instrumental parts, a special drumming and almost a little Mike Oldfield feeling. But the vocals destroys the rest. "Incurable" begins interesting and I am still pleased to listen to it. "Stiletto runner" is the second best track with a very different rhytm, almost a pop feeling and symphonic ideas. The last track "The night garden" also contains interesting themes and nice listen material.

I will give this record a weak three star rating. It is nice to listen to, but the vocals are rather bad and this music don't really invite us to musical journeys of progressive soundscapes. This gave me fourty five minutes of music. Thank you very much, but It's enough. I don't think I will listen to Hiddens lands again ? sorry!