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Artist: Sven Larsson |
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It must always be a nail biting time for an artist when they release their first solo album after being within the comfort zone of a band. Hopes of honest, yet good reviews will only settle the nerves, so with his debut, Sven Larsson takes a break from the bands Galleon, Xinema and Street Talk and faces the music on is own two feet. Being mainly known as a guitar player, he may surprise a few people as he does have a good set of pipes on him too. First track 'Sunlight And Shadows' shows his talents on both fronts, the guitar solos quite majestic when in full flow, and vocally, AOR is where his home is. He has a mellow, yet still powerful enough voice to sail through these songs with ultimate ease. If proof was needed again, 'Eagle' is perfect vehicle for him, slow to begin with before building up to a crescendo on guitar again, his voice not going anywhere beyond slightly raised. The same can be said on 'This Is Not The Right Time' because listening to it is like being wrapped in your favourite blanket, in front of a fire with a glass of wine, all mixed together ... so cosy and dreamy you want the feeling to last. It's one of three ballads to be shown here, along with the very laid back 'Fly On BY', with keyboards by Fredrik Bergh floating all over the song, with some neat touches on the wah-wah pedal for that extra chilled vibe. The final one is 'It's Over', a touching song of lost moments between people that I'm sure will strike a chord for the average person out there, Larsson sounding so sincere you'd think he was in the same boat. You can tell in an instant who's the main influence behind 'Daydreamer', in fact you'd think it was the group itself, STEELY DAN!! My god, 'Reeling In The Years' part II to be exact, the guitar work just about lifted from that track and placed, here the main riff is so close. Still, it's the jazzy drumbeat by Christian Johansson that leaps out midway through the track where he has his moment to shine. After Larsson showboats on the instrumental 'Tube', and yes, he's good, the trio pull no punches on the straight to the point 'Bastard'. The title stands out like a beacon from the others, but musically the melodic tone is no more different from them. If you were expecting a raunch fest, there's plenty of big guitar hooks but nothing to mosh to! Keeping that in mind. 'I'll Turn My Back' does get those juices flowing slightly, but its more blues rock than all out heavy, sort of a Sammy Hagar era Van Halen meets Glen Kaiser moment. First impressions usually last, so on 'The Neighbour' you get what the story is about as things move along. It is quite revealing, true to life experience that's being told, and all the fancy guitars can't hide the fact what Larsson is singing about, but you'll have to listen to the song to find out exactly what the subject is, I'm not going to spoil it. Ending the album on a prog-cum-fusion rock track, the instrumental 'Candy' has Larsson sounding as if he's taking a bit of a wobbler due to his roars and screams. Weird but kinda cool! You couldn't ask for a more clever, easy listening and just plain old good album to have to review, though I wasn't too sure on first listening I have to say. Still I raise my hat to Sven Larsson and say ... "Stop chewing those nails now, you've got a good one here mate, and I hope this review is OK for you!!". Review by: Bob |
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Tracklisting: 1.
Sunlight And Shadow |
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