BEARDFISH Mammoth - 2011 album from Swedish Prog-Rockers, limited CD+DVD edition
Format: CD+DVD Condition: New Year of Release: 2011 Cat. No.: 705432 Label: InsideOut
Those who love those heady days of early progressive rock with bands like Yes, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, and (early) Genesis will find inspiration in Beardfish's latest project 'Mammoth'. This is a tour-de-force of creativity and ingenuity, two of the things that make prog so entertaining. While fresh and imaginative, there's nothing really modern about 'Mammoth'.
Ironically, Rikard Sjoblom (v,g,k) and David Zackrisson (g) started out in a grunge band, only to abandon the pernicious and predictable genre to do, in their words, 'something fresh.'
At the start, Beardfish hooks you with the hard rock riffs and quirky shifts of The Platform. Those historic prog elements of yesteryear combine on And The Stone Said: If I Could Speak, easily the best song, with a touch of Pink Floyd and a very groovy saxophone solo. Tightrope turns on simple melodic rock for bare but mature piece. Green Waves returns to that heavier motif but also invokes a sometime psychedelic feel. Later, you'll find Beardfish blending progressive rock with elemental jazz, and that wonderful saxophone returns.
All this is merely an overview, a taste, of the delights within Mammoth and, to be honest, a rather poor expression of them in words. Buy and listen.
'Mammoth' must be savored to be enjoyed. I recommend a quiet evening and a glass of your favorite wine for proper enjoyment.
Review by Craig Hartranft.
TRACK LISTING:
CD:
1 The Platform 2 And The Stone Said: If I Could Speak 3 Tightrope 4 Green Waves 5 Outside / Inside 6 Akakabotu 7 Without Saying Anything
DVD - live recording:
1. Awaken The Sleeping (04:28) 2. The Hunter (6:22) 3. Destined Solitaire (10:45) 4. Until You Comply (5:18) 5. Without You (12:59) 6. Green Waves (8:36) 7. Roulette (12:20) 8. Making Of "Mammoth" (43:45)
(DVD comes in regionfree NTSC format)
LINE-UP:
- Rikard Sjoblom / vocals, keyboards - David Zackrisson / guitars - Robert Hansen / bass - Magnus Ostgren / drums
