AKROBAKKUS

This is just a big ball of fun! Afenginn's sophomore release finds the band doing their thing more or less like before, but a bit more mature. Their crazy brand of avant-ethno-folk-rock is one that should be heard by everyone. It's a little weird, but an open mind will enjoy this with no problems. The music is catchy, melodic, complex and original.

It's almost impossible to not love this album. Besides being technically dazzling, it is sheer fun. Imagine a quirkier, faster, lighter, more jovial Alamaailman Vasarat, and you might have the right approach to this group. They use a lot of different instruments (all of which are acoustic), so the sound is always changing and fresh throughout the disc.

While both Afenginn albums are brilliant, this one is a bit more mature and memorable than its predecessor. It also has more variety and isn't as long. I don't think this group's style can sustain a length of over 45 minutes without risking loss of interest on the listener's end. This one is pretty susinct and maintains my full attention start to finish. Anybody who's adventurous to any degree should listen to Afenginn. For those unfamiliar, this would be the place to start.

Akrobakkus is the second studio album from Danish act Afenginn. Afenginn is a weird bunch and their music is a mix of genres like avant garde rock, ethnic balkan and Scandinavian folk, jazz ( the kind that´s played in old silent movies) and chamber music. Add lots of humour and you have yourself a pretty unique cocktail. I reviewed Afenginn´s debut album Retrograd a couple of weeks ago and I was pretty impressed and thought it was a great album but I wasn´t really sure if I found it excellent. It lacked some variation IMO. Akrobakkus has just that and it´s a very dynamic album with both crazy up-tempo tracks and more calm beautiful chamber music influenced songs.

Songs like Ralli I D-Mol and Terror Humppa are really up-tempo and fun songs while my favorite the beautiful and moving Fotonen and Valse Melankolika shows the softer side of Akrobakkus to great effect. This is not your average avant garde rock band with strange time signatures and dissonant sounds. The music is very melodic and memorable. It´s still very challenging though and it took my a couple of listens to appreciate. The music is mostly instrumental but there are a few choir parts where various members of the band shout and make noises.

The musicianship is excellent. The five musicians play instruments like mandolin, mandocello, harmonium, clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, violin, viola, bass and drums and most sing choir too. The music has a very organic sound as a result of the choice of instruments.

The production is wonderful. The emphasis is on an organic sound and every instrument is right in the mix.

Akrobakkus has really captured my attention and I´ll definitely give Retrograd another spin to see if it´s grown on me since the last time I listened to it. If you like music with a happy mood but with time for more serious moments as well Akrobakkus could be your thing. I think it´s highly recommendable and unique. It certainly deserves all the 4 stars I´ll rate it.