DICE

Of all the great progressive bands to come out of the fertile soil of the 70's not many were swedish. But the great that did come from Sweden were amazing. Kaipa, Trettioåriga kriget, Samla Mammas Manna are some names that ought to be familiar to a lot of prog heads. There is one name I'd like to add to the list: Dice.

The Disney-like logo and the Dali-type cover might raise some eyebrows, wondering what the hell is going on. Well, quite alot. Listening to this album you hear echoes of other bands from the 70's. Yes, Cathedral, England, Gentle Giant... But that's allright. How could you not be influenced by other bands?

I really had no real knowledge of Dice before buying this album. I knew of them but not not their music. So, was I intrigued? Amused? Disgusted? First and foremost I was delighted. And still am. The music is very delightful, playful and enjoyable. Symphonic, epic, complex and very much sporting a peculiar swedish nature, which is clearly audible in the beatiful "Annika".

There are many things that endears me to this album. The rumbling Squire-bass, the addition of the roaring 20's (The utopian suntan), the thick keyboards and, if nothing else, the sheer length and brilliance of "Follies", the center piece of the album.

I think that this album really deserved more back in the day but coming out in a time dominated by other scenes than prog it wasn't, perhaps, surprising why it sank without a trace, It sounds as a part of the glorious past but provides a glimpse into the ever present brilliance of bands and musicians, forming a link between then and now. It's a great album and I enjoy it immensely.