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Reviews

Kebnekajse — II
(Silence SRSCD3608, 1973/2001, CD)

Kebnekajse — III
(Silence SRSCD 3609, 1975/2001, CD)

Kebnekajse — Resa Mot Okänt Mål
(Silence SRSCD 3606, 1971/2001, CD)

by Roel Steverink, Published 2002-04-01

II Cover artIII Cover artResa Mot Okänt Mål Cover art

I haven't the faintest idea what this title of this Swedish band’s first album (Resa Mot Okänt Mål) means, but I'm very sure it must mean something exciting, because the album just rocks! It's full of wailing guitars and thunderous drumming... Hey, is John Bonham in the house? But wait, when "Orientens Express" pops up, a hint of their later (folky) style is already evident, although not for long, because the title track jumps in and rocks your socks off! The odd thing here are the Mickey Mouse vocals and the rhythmic complexity — and these guys can riff, which they prove on almost every track. Sometimes an acoustic guitar plays a fine blues lick; the birthplace of this style is definitely the late 60s. There are several cover tunes, and these guys give them great renditions. On “Förberedelser till fest” they sound very close to Samla. If progressive hard rock is your forte, just try it, there's a good chance you will like it.

When you hear the first tunes of Kebnakajse’s second album and you are familiar with their debut, you know that a major change in style has taken place. From progressive hard rock they evolved into a more hippie-like band. Folk rock is know the key word. Violins and bright melodies have been introduced. A well-known traditional tune is getting a rock treatment, and they improvise on guitar over the same intricate rhythmic background full of spicy tabla. This same traditional tune returns several times wearing different coats. The last piece is a very interesting one, not only on count of its 16-minute length, but because they really show off their improvisational skills here. Fabulous guitar riffs and solos are played by Ingemar Böcker, but all of the musicians (10 in total!) are superb. When the main theme returns, the violin and guitars are upfront. Although they haven't got a keyboard player, you don't really miss it amid the duels between violin and guitar! When the album is finished, the listener is in for a surprise: Silence has put a live version of “Horgalaten” on it. Now you can hear what they were capable of live, and that's a lot.

On the third album, it becomes evident that this core of traditional melodies has become an integral part of their style; this is their most mature album up to date. It consists of more fleshed-out instrumentals, and they actually let their guitar sound like a violin! “Eklundapolskan,” the third track, consists of an iron strong melody, while “St John” is Tex-Mex, where they really pick up the pace; listen to that ultra fast violin and guitar playing! Two slower intermezzos are followed by a long one, which explodes half way in an extravaganza of riffs, after which the album ends in another violin-dominated piece. Highly recommended!

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 24, 2001 releases, 1973 recordings, 1975 recordings, 1971 recordings

Related artist(s): Kebnekajse (Kebnekaise)

 

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