NU NÄRMAR VI OSS.

In Sweden much of the progressive music scene was highly political, ranging from socialist views to outright communist. The political message seemed, at times, more important than the music. I, for one, love this music. It is both charming in a sometimes naive way and very much of it's time. Some bands are extremely good (Trettioåriga kriget, Samla Mammas Manna etc.) and some were really bad, though not always uninteresting.

Avgrunden (The Abyss, in swedish) was a band from the south of Sweden that released one album of folky, jazz-tinged progressive music with political lyrics. Just take a look at the cover. The swedish flag has this red star in it's center, proclaiming the band's (and the swedish progressive music scene's) vision of the future. Struggle and strife will result in the downfall of capitalism. A new world in the morning, as it were.

The album starts and ends with "Signaturen" (The theme). It then kicks off with allt the signature trademarks of Avgrunden. Jazzy, folky and really competent. There are lyrics about the computers taking over (Datamaskin) and the swedish country-side and what's happening there. All politizised and kicking against the establishment with it's capitalist minds.

Though not one of the best albums of the era, Avgrunden made a really pleasant album. Now I don't mind left wing policies myself but if you do, you ought to focus on the music. It is really a quite original blend as far as Sweden is concerned. Well written and very well executed. I think that the mix of genres (folk, jazz, rock) is really something. The electric piano is very present, making the jazzy side of things really stand out.

When I got this album on vinyl back in the early 90's it spent quite some time in my Walkman. I have fond memories of this album and I do listen to it every now and then. I wish it would be released on CD in the future but I doubt it.

All in all a very pleasant, quite original and well constructed album.