They formed back in 1994 when Ronny Eriksson began to write his own music. He was heavily inspired by the ‘classic’ bands of the late sixties and early seventies, such as the aforementioned Cream, West, Bruce & Laing, November, Free, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, early blues Jethro Tull, and Cactus, amongst a score of others.
Anyone who doubts whether music can cut across the divide really needs to listen to the guitar on “Drom Dig Ivag”. It is, in anyone’s language, fantastically good. There are nods to Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton aplenty and convincing splashes of Hendrix.
This is an album of high energy progressive blues rock, straight off the vinyl of those far off days. The fact that Ronny is singing in Swedish merely adds a little mystique to the whole. Well worth a dip in the water. Visit Magnolia at their MySpace Page
Villebrad – Alla Ar Har Utom Jag
Guess where Villebrad come from? Yes, Sweden. I have a theory that it must be all those dark nights that leave people with no option but to become talented musicians. Formed in 2004 by Uppsala-based brothers Erik and Pahl Sundstrom.
Having worked with various bands they decided to throw any consideration towards trend out of the window and form Villebrad as a vehicle for their own developing style. The album is a blend of progressive rock circa, mid-seventies, art-rock, and New Wave of the eighties. Also in the mix are splashes of more contemporary sounds.
On the face of it, it’s an odd combination, yet one that is never predictable, and is borderline innovative. Eccentric, slightly crazed (in the nicest, creative sense), and yet inspired all the same. Therein lies the key to its appeal. It will intrigue, compel, surprise, and defy most of any preconceived musical logic.
In short, it sounds fresh as though a whole new genre has been discovered in the process. Have a listen to the title track on the MySpace page, or “Ingenting”, both from the album, and maybe you can see why it is hard to define.
By the way, they are singing in Swedish.
More Euro language releases to follow.
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