FROM WITHIN

ANEKDOTEN from Sweden. FROM WITHIN was my first taste of this remarkable musical unit back when I noticed the LP was available at the turn of the century. It knocked my block off (and I'm still looking for it....) with the overt Mellotron use, grungey Rickenbacker bass, distinctive lead guitaring and inspired drumming. Many of the longer cuts are composed in such a way where thunderous rhythms pound away for a while and then give way to rather beautifully serene passages. These polar opposites are arranged in a sensible way, never haphazard as some heavy/soft contrasts can be. And that's not saying the album plays through in a 'samey' fashion - there's plenty of differences from song to song. A slight KING CRIMSON flavour is evident here (though not as strong as their debut album VEMOD) and maybe some hints at PINK FLOYD, but these guys (and gal) are so much more. Sure they have a 'retro' sound but their knack at song-writing is very much here and now and there's plenty of originality in their approach. Amongst all the nostalgia and melancholia, there's still a sense of vibrancy, refreshment and modernity. Not a second of unnecessary 'filler' throughout its course - hats off to the track 'Hole' - just over 11 minutes of pure perfection with fellow Swede Simon Nordberg (from the equally wonderful 'LANDBERK') contributing some touching Hammond organ during the deep and spacious mid-section. Absolutely essential listening - as is most of their output. And I have to say that the guy in the balloon on the cover looks a lot like bassist Jan-Erik ??