SPEKTRUM

Spektrum is a semi-supergroup in that it contains members of Galleon, Cross and Grand Stand as well as vocalist Lizette von Panajott. I was immediately taken by just how commercial- sounding this album is as it comes across as a mix between It Bites and 'And Then There Were Three' era Genesis. Certainly nothing that could be construed as being a bad thing. It has a definite Eighties feel and yet is also very fresh and quite different to much that is currently on the underground progressive scene. There aren't many bands that use similar musical references and this is surely going to be an album that is going to make them many friends.

It has been released on the Swedish Progressive Records label but it should be easy to find in this country or through the label site at www.progressrec.com (where there are many other albums also available). This is music that is melodic, and often quite different from one song to the next. I really like "Land Of Longing" and can almost imagine that being released as a single while the following number "Now" moves from space and gentleness to some driving guitar. This is an album that has so much going for it yet at the same time is not only intricate yet is also so very listenable. The vocals are different to the norm, which gives the music an added edge.

It is a debut album yet given the background of the players it is of little surprise that this is of such high quality. A superb album that progheads need to search out.

Originally appeared in Feedback #74, Jun 03