ACTIONFREDAG

They thank "All the lovely people in..." And they mention Jordsjo, Wobbler, The Chronicles Of Father Robin, Tusmorke, Panzerpappa, The Samuel Jackson Five among others. Some returning guests like the duo from JORDSJO and a couple of others. Unfortunately Steiner Borve is not back from PANZERPAPPA playing sax. Both albums are 40 minutes but this one has ten tracks while the debut has six songs. And while a couple of reviewers whose opinions I respect feel this second one is much better than the debut, I have to disagree. Just my musical tastes really, but I feel the debut is a 4.5 star record while this is a solid 4 stars, so a step down.

I like the debut cover art more as well, especially when you open it up to that two panel scene. Having said that if I could pick one song from either album I would pick the closer from this second one called "Thank You Kleveland". I'm at a bit of a loss to explain why, other than I love how repetitive it is, and the intensity. It turns more powerful late. Now the previous three tracks before this closer are probably my least favourites. So yes I feel this album isn't as consistent as the debut.

I do really like both of the "Dali Lamas Five-Dollar Mamas" tracks very much. They remind me of the debut with so much going on and there's plenty of energy too. Brighter sounds thanks to the keyboards. Catchy and a nod to Canterbury. That opener is a new direction and one I do like. The first section is familiar with those avalanche of sounds that fluctuate. How good is this! But then the change as it turns darker and more intense. A nice contrast as well between the opening two songs.

Track three is mellow with female vocals. Too relaxed really. A miss. But then "Planet Bygningsetaten" makes up for it. Next to the closer this is my second favourite. I love the contrast of the two sections, with one being female vocal led and the other male vocal led. Canterbury keys as well. "Cloudboy Blidbop" starts off in a relaxed way with guitar leading before keys and a more dynamic sound take over after 2 minutes.

This is a band I will be "in on" for a while. So much talent, and I want to see where they go from here. I will be riding this bus for a while. Nice picture of the band doing these challenging poses in the liner notes. Again the keyboardist makes me laugh.

I still can't get over the abundance of sounds where there is so much going on that it makes my head spin. They are a young Norwegien six piece with male and female vocals. Modern sounding singing I call it, sort of like what THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE were doing a dozen years earlier. And I did think of that band and that self titled record from 2012 a couple of times while spinning this record. And ACTIONFREDAG thank this band on the followup to this 2023 release. We get about a 39 minute album over six tracks.

While this is a young band, a couple of it's members have guested with JORDSJO and TUSMORKE, and as a result of this exposure they were able to recruit some fine guests to help out. Including the two JORDSJO guys who are here playing flute and glockenspiel. How about Steiner Brove playing sax from PANZERPAPPA. We also get guest violin, harp, female vocals, clarinet and melodica. And one other important fact is that they sing in Norwegien.

It has been a while since I have had an album cover that has kept me happily occupied as I listen to the music. So much detail in that drawing, like the guy taking a whiz against the wall, as he stands in his pee. The people looking out the various apartment windows etc. With my edition, I just open the gate fold that reveals a two panel picture with a second street. All one picture. So cool! And I like that their second album has a similar themed cover art. There is a bright sound at times, with the keys especially that again bring THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE to mind.

I have been putting off this review simply because I still feel it's too soon. There's just a lot to digest with this record. I don't feel like I know it enough yet, but that's also part of the appeal of the music here. The opening sounds of electric piano instantly bring to mind much of what I have been saying. Follow that intro with a high energy soundscape with so much going on and you're going to get a quick sense of what this band brings to the table. All in the first minute(lol). A good rocking instrumental to warm us up.

The second song with the very long title opens with a solo bass before turning fuller, and with vocals for the first time. This is the song that first brought THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE to mind, the male vocals especially. Makes me smile. Violin cries out to open "Gadgetry Cum Dystopia" and we get clarinet around 1 1/2 minutes in. Vocals after 2 minutes. An interesting piece where it turns a little darker before 3 minutes. I like this. It's building. So good! Violin is back to end it.

"Peaches En Ulven" sure has lots going on just before a minute. Active percussion to say the least. This track has female vocals that bring NATIONAL HEALTH to mind be it ever so briefly before 2 1/2 minutes. Come on! Harp later on. "Jesus I Min Bod" is so intricate and punchy with high pitched sounds before it settles to bass and electric piano, then it builds. Vocals a minute in. Man, from here to about 4 1/2 minutes there is so much to focus on. Then a calm with electric piano and bass again. Love this!

The closer is almost 9 1/2 minutes long. It's the emotion on this one that draws me in. The drumming is crisp as male vocals join in. I really like his singing. His vocals have character. After a calm around 3 minutes in, it turns surprisingly powerful with guitar and drums. Another calm after 4 minutes. Atmosphere and relaxed sounds here. Suddenly lighter guitar notes appear around 5 1/2 minutes. Some depth after 6 1/2 minutes. It seems to climax after 7 minutes but then settles again before building. Vocals 8 minutes in.

Well, like the music from THE SAMUEL JACKSON FIVE, it took some time for me to find their physical music, but man was it ever worth the wait. I regret the crossover of listening to their 2024 release just as I was still finishing up on this one, because I really wasn't finished with this debut yet. Reminds me of ZOPP just how it took many spins and some patience to finally get this amazing music to click with this old brain. This band has me wondering if there is a "sound" from Norway now.

1. "Angst Oppå Bordet" (3:35) opening with an abrasively dissonant song like this is certainly a turn off. Luckily, I chose to proceed to the next song. (8.6667/10)

2. "Dalai Lama´s Five Dollar Mamas I" (3:51) (8.75/10)

3. "Karesuando Camping" (3:13) love NORTHETTES-like vocals from Katrina Lenore Sjøberg served over a gentle fare of ANTIQUE SEEKING NUNS-like music. (9.125/10)

4. "Planet Bygningsetaten" (4:53) Canterbury jazz-lite with excellent bass, Rhodes, and vocal performances from both Martin and Katrina. (9.125/10)

5. "Cloudboy Blidbop" (4:36) jazzy instrumental with a little retro-Indie-folk-pop thing going on. A nice song that takes a bit to get going (too long of an intro). (8.875/10)

6. "Ping Pong Lovesong" (bonus track only available on CD version) (1:28) 7. "Dalai Lama´s Five Dollar Mamas II" (5:14) okay Canterbury style quirky, jumpy jazz jam. (8.75/10)

8. "Ja Noir" (3:55) after a somewhat bombastic orchestral opening, the song devolves into a simple tow-person piece with reverbed electric guitar reacting to beautiful music being played by Ivar Haugaløkken Stangeby's Fender Rhodes. At the very end of the second minute Katrina's dreamy/airy voice enters and the band forms beneath her, congealing into a gorgeous little modern-day Canterbury tune à la bands like OIAPOK, INNER EAR BRIGADE, and GADADU. Beautiful singing from Katrina. Beautiful support from guitar, keys, and drums. (9/10)

9. "Slipp Ivar Fri" (5:04) more quirky, jumpy modern day Fender Rhodes-dominated Canterbury with Martin's lead vocal skirting HUMBLE GRUMBLE territory. Odd tom-tom solo in the middle. Some magical parts, some that completely miss the mark (for me). (8.875/10)

10. "Litt Mye" (1:38) family-playing-at-the-beach sounds with someone stroking some guitar chords and, eventually, a few voices joining in with a lyric and melody.

11. "Thank You Kleveland" (4:09) sounds a lot like Detroit's RASCAL REPORTERS--like a Canterbury étude: it just goes round and round with more instruments (orchestral) joining in with each time through. Nice cinematic journey with nice melodies throughout (created mostly by the lead guitar). (8.75/10)

Total time: 41:38

B/four stars; an excellent collection of original Canterbury-inspired (which I find myself calling "modern Canterbury") songs. Definitely a band to keep watching.

With Lys fremtid i mørke, Actionfredag offers their second release, with their radiate signature Swedophile and Canterbury-inspired style, a sound that defies the darker, moodier trends in modern prog. The band boldly crafts a sound that feels open and personal Despite sounding similar to many 70's British prog bands Actionfedag sounds incredibly original. The arrangements have that unique analog warmth, supported by an eclectic ensemble of instruments, including oboe, violin, recorders, and French horn, creating a lush, multi-layered soundscape. The expanded lineup of guest musicians adds depth and color, enhancing each track with new textures and tones that build on the creativity of their debut album.

The album balances sophistication capturing the essence of Actionfredag influences. Each track oscillates between whimsy and introspection, combining nostalgia with innovation to breathe new life into their sound. They draw on the progressive rock foundations with a fresh and new psychedelic edge.

Lys fremtid i mørke is a captivating album from start to finish, reaching creative heights with rhythmic finesse and melodic inventiveness that invite listeners to sink into its sonic world. This is music for refined ears, with passages that recall classical inspirations from Debussy and Satie, while staying true to prog's exploratory spirit. As a follow- up to Turist i eget liv, this album showcases Actionfredag's impressive output.

The record's simplicity and perfectly arranged tracks demonstrate their ability to captivate with an original sound, avoiding pretension or imitation. They simply enjoy making music without trying to fit in, capturing a pure, fun approach to their craft.

Actionfredag's debut album, Turist i eget liv (Tourist in Your Own Life), is a fresh and engaging entry in the Norwegian progressive rock scene. Featuring members from well-known bands like Tusmørke and Jordsjø, the album blends progressive rock with Canterbury jazz and folk influences, offering a sound that feels both exploratory and deeply rooted in Scandinavian musical traditions, I can hear Influences from Frank Zappa and Soft Machine as well

The album opens with "Pönk på svenska," a track powered by fuzzed-out guitars and a jazzy electric piano. The shifts in dynamics, from quieter moments to more energetic bursts, make for an exciting opening that captures the listener's attention right away.

"En behagelig durakkord som sier noe om hvordan det er å se uten å bli sett" moves in a different direction, with warm, rounded bass tones and haunting violin melodies. The vocals have a distinctly Scandinavian feel, delivering a dramatic yet restrained performance that complements the subtle instrumental layers.

Throughout the album, the band showcases their versatility. On "Gadgetry cum dystopia," they incorporate woodwinds and layer the vocals with effects, giving the track an ethereal and experimental vibe. The unexpected use of these elements keeps the album intriguing, and the constant movement between moods?from jazzy improvisations to more grounded folk moments?makes each track stand out in its own way.

The final track, "Ensomhet er bare en følelse" (Loneliness is Just a Feeling), closes the album on a contemplative note. With its rolling melody and thoughtful vocals, the song feels like the emotional core of the album, leaving a lasting impression.

Turist i eget liv is an eclectic mix of sounds and styles, It's a very fun album to listen, rewarding repeated listens with its rich layers and shifting textures. For those who like of progressive rock and 70's Avant-garde.