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Himlabacken Volume II - Moon Safari
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Frets N Worries View Drop Down
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    Posted: December 08 2023 at 09:01
Today marks the release of the new Moon Safari album, I haven't heard it yet, as I'm listening to the new Chronicles of Father Robin allbum (SO GOOD!!) but please, I'm curious to hear your thoughts

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. 198X (Heaven Hill) (3:55)
2. Between the Devil and Me (10:38)
3. Emma, Come On (3:19)
4. A Lifetime to Learn How to Love (8:28)
5. Beyond the Blue (2:12)
6. Blood Moon (5:44)
7. Teen Angel Meets the Apocalypse (21:03)
8. Forever, for You (10:08)
9. Epilog (3:22)

Total Time 68:49

Line-up / Musicians

- Petter Sandström / lead & backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Simon Åkesson / lead & backing vocals, piano, organ, Moog
- Pontus Åkesson / lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
- Sebastian Åkesson / backing vocals, assorted keyboards, percussion
- Johan Westerlund / lead & backing vocals, bass
- Mikael Israelsson / drums & percussion, backing vocals

With:
- Jamison Smeltz / saxophone (8)



cover-art


Edited by Frets N Worries - December 08 2023 at 09:03
The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...
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Points: 5208 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Negoba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 08 2023 at 09:13
I think Blomljud is one of the best modern prog albums. I was so hopeful for this one.

They have gone for an 80's hard rock with a little prog thrown in and thankfully their signature harmonies.

I lost interest after about 4 songs to be honest. Pretty disappointed. Just my opinion.
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Points: 4917 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 08 2023 at 13:14
I’ll certainly give it a listen when I get the chance. Love Blomljud….
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Points: 8667 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TheGazzardian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 08 2023 at 15:20
Negoba, might be worth listening further - 'Teenage Angel Meets the Apocalypse' is classic Moon Safari.

I agree that this sounds the most 80s out of what they've done so far, and I don't think it'll convince anyone who doesn't already like them, but for fans like me who have been starved for new material for the last ten years, it is very welcome. I'm just one listen in but it sounds at least as good as Himlabacken 1 so far.

I will say that Blomljud/Lovers End still remain untopped.
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Points: 3036 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Awesoreno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 08 2023 at 23:03
I'm not as keen on Blomljud. Too bloated and not interesting enough for me. This one I enjoy moreso, but not quite as much as part 1 or Lover's End.
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Points: 4202 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frets N Worries Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 09 2023 at 15:39
Listening now, so far i think it's better than Blomljud, for me at least, Blomljud was a bit too long. Still great, but a bit too long. Every song on here is fantastic, (and I'm not even at the epic yet!)
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Points: 5346 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 10 2023 at 01:11
IMHO the best way to listen to this record is when you get rid of all your preconceptions about how a Moon Safari record should sound like. I'm listening to the 20 minute track right now as I'm typing this post (I'm at 8:00 timestamp) and I'm enjoying it. I can best describe it as prog metal for those who don't like prog metal. Compositionally it's at the highest level. A 10/10.

But I feel every time the listener's reminded that the band is still Moon Safari, something feels off. The signature MS tropes just don't go well with the prog metal-lite style. It's almost as if the band wanted to completely rinse off their recognizable sound after the departure of Tobias Lundgren, but midway through the songwriting process, they felt the need to still somehow lure their hardcore fans so they threw in their classic soft acoustic syrupy vocal harmony parts here and there, and even though those soft parts mostly fit the arrangements.... sometimes they sound forced as hell. Perhaps the next MS record will be even more heavy sounding, less Moon Safari esque but way more organic and honest. Time will tell.
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Points: 5208 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Negoba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 10 2023 at 13:18
I'll give it another go. 

Blomljud is too long but what's good on there is so good. 

As I said in my review, the fact that they just lean into the super sweet and own it just works for me. And I usually get drawn to weird, darker music.
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Originally posted by Negoba Negoba wrote:

I'll give it another go. 

Blomljud is too long but what's good on there is so good. 

As I said in my review, the fact that they just lean into the super sweet and own it just works for me. And I usually get drawn to weird, darker music.

The pre-released songs disappointed me. Upon twice listening to the entire album, my opinion flipped. I'm a fan.Wink
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Points: 27932 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 10 2023 at 20:07
I don't understand the comparison to prog metal at all, would maybe put it in the Neal Morse, Flower Kings, Transatlantic camp. The opening track sounds a bit like Van Halen and that's it. The long track Teenage Angel Meets The Apocalypse is the best epic of the year that I've heard so far. The vocal harmonies rival the Beach Boys at times. Admittedly it is all very 'syrupy' and unrelentingly upbeat for sure but the last 3 tracks bring home the bacon for me (Epilog is stunning!). Needs more listens!
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Points: 21104 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote MikeEnRegalia Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 11 2023 at 05:08
^ It contains metal riffs and a very modern metal guitar tone. Really cool! But I agree that it is not a metal release. Prog Art AOR/Metal will be my designation.
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Points: 6390 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mathman0806 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 11 2023 at 05:41
The first three tracks and scattered throughout feel like an homage to early 80s arena rock. The keyboards on the first track did make me think of Van Halen's Jump and outside of Journey, I can'tthink many other bands sing "stone in love." The harmonies feel more heavy handed and overdone than usual but that's just an initial impression. It's been a while since I listened to the earlier albums.
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Points: 4917 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 11 2023 at 10:00
I’ve listened once and certainly will again! Agreed on the Van Halen-type sound at the very beginning of track one, but prog metal?!! Er…….

Sounds very good to me 😎
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Actually, I've realized the post-Lundgren era Moon Safari sound kinda reminds me of the early albums by Magic Pie (Norway), except not as coherent arrangement-wise.
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Points: 5208 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Negoba Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 11 2023 at 13:06
The Epic is indeed very very good. Thanks for those who advised giving it another listen.
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I think it's their best album and my second favorite LP of 2023...
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Points: 352 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dapper~Blueberries Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2024 at 11:24
This album was kind of a disappointment for me. Did not really feel like Moon Safari, bit too AORy. The epic is good though but I feel like they reached their peak with Blomljud and Lover's End and wish they kind of just evolved further with that sound they were going with.
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Points: 6339 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote omphaloskepsis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2024 at 12:18
Moon Safari was a cog in the sonic juggernaut that made 2023 a banner year for prog.  My favorite prog year of this century.Wink

Edited by omphaloskepsis - February 22 2024 at 12:42
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Points: 5346 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 01 2024 at 03:28
I'm listening to Teen Angel Meets the Apocalypse again, and when I convinced myself that the song is by Magic Pie, not Moon Safari, I'm enjoying it way more.
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Points: 4917 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 06 2024 at 12:55
Originally posted by Hrychu Hrychu wrote:

I'm listening to Teen Angel Meets the Apocalypse again, and when I convinced myself that the song is by Magic Pie, not Moon Safari, I'm enjoying it way more.


No offence mate, but isn’t that just a bit silly?🤔
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