On disc: Kaipa

 
 Angling Feelings
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 In The Wake Of Evolution
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

In The Wake Of Evolution

(InsideOut Music - 2010)



 
 

 

In 2007 Kaipa presented Angling Feelings, now they have a new album to offer - In The Wake Of Evolution. It's their 10th studio album in 35 years, they don't rush. And they never tried to change just to please someone! So Kaipa fans will know what to expect!

They kick off with the title track which starts with a two minute long instrumental part, after the prog rock frenzy they slow down and Aleena's vocals demanding your attention. The song has the typical elements of Kaipa - folk and prog rock. Especially in the second half they get heavier and singer Patrik Lundström joins Aleena on the mic. The song gets a different dynamic - and somehow I have to think of Styx... like a progressive version of Styx... Balladesque begins In The Heart Of Her Own Magic Field, then it becomes more epic and the backings have a Queen-ish touch, just to head into a more progressive passage. A long track is Electric Power Water Notes with 17+ minutes and brings back Ritual's Patrik Lundström. The track is taking you on a sonic journey, and it's an interesting one! This trip leads you through scenes of 70's prog rock, folk rock to a fusion of both spiced up with some jazzy elements. If you expect that Folkia's First Decision is a folk-based tune, then you are right, but the instrumental cites some classic music pieces. Well done.

At Arcs Of Sound you'll find some Yes-ish sounds, but they combine it with other elements - and partly has a pop appeal. But is too long for radio. Smoke From A Secret Source offers some heavy riffing combined with classic citations, then they head into an art rock passage. Hans Lundin and his mates know how to combine different sounds, melt them into one and create a homogenous album. The closer The Seven Oceans Of Our Mind is a folk-based art rock tune, but with about 10 minutes running time you can be sure that Kaipa will offer some twists and turns!

Kaipa release albums for 35 years, these guys know how to play and they deliver an album once in awhile. Some may criticize that they aren't unique or taking risks, but they stick to their guns - folk prog rock - and deliver good albums. Kaipa won't disappoint you.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Angling Feelings

(InsideOut Music - 2007)



 
 

 

In a way this album re-presents the start into the 3rd chapter of Kaipa. The Swedish prog rock band started back in the 70's and released their self-titled debut in 1975. In the beginning the band used Swedish lyrics and that gave their sound something unique. In 1982 they broke up after they released 5 more albums. For the ones who are not that much into the old days of prog, From 1974 to 1979 Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) was part of the band and he was also in the band when they re-started in 2000. With Notes From The Past Kaipa presented in 2002 their comeback album - this time with English lyrics. The 2005 release Mindrevolutions was the last one with Mr. Stolt. Now they are back with Angling Feelings - and a new line-up. Beside Hans Lundin - the only original member - Kaipa is now guitarist Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry), bassist Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, The Tangent), drummer Morgan Ågren and singers Aleena Gibson and Patrik Lundström.

The title track is also the album opener is based in the 70's prog rock, but has also some jazzy moments.... They combine elements of rock, pop, folk and some jazz parts - but with an overall 70's feeling. A bit Jethro Tull.. a bit ELP... There are short glimpses where you think of these bands. At one point Reingold's bass steps upfront and builds a counterpart to the lead guitar. Nice idea. The weak spot of the songs - and of the album - is the voice of Aleena which isn't strong enough and not emotional enough. Slowly they start The Glorious Silence Within and create soundscapes. The song has some warmth... And with the flute - Frederik Lindqvist (Ritual) contributed the whistle parts on this album - it gets more folk and automatically you have to think of Ian Andersson, but only due to the use of this instrument! The Feeling Existence Of Time is one of the long tracks of Angling Feelings and covers more or less the whole sound spectrum of Kaipa. On this track Aleena is partly singing alone and here it got most obvious that her vocals are too weak, when she sings together with Patrik Lundström its a bit better... At the beginning of Path Of Humbleness Aleena's vocals aren't bad, but still I think that another singer would do them good... Beside that this song is one of my favorites on Angling Feelings. Why? Well, listen to it!

A good album which is less prog rock then the last releases which you can compare this with. But still very different to their first chapter works which had for me a unique sound and charm. Anyway, a good album with a bit more folk, a bit less prog and an 70's rock feeling with a warm sound. It's nice to have a band which plays on such a high level and isn't trying to impress the listener with extended instrumental passages and highly complex parts. So fans of art rock should check this album out, too. Everybody who likes 70's prog rock and is open to other sound elements can buy this album without hesitation. For a quick check listen to Pulsation or Where's The Captain? and if you have a bit more time then choose Path Of Humbleness.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com