Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society
Fiction at first view
Mimo Sound Records

Sweden's Patrik Skantze's new album is so obviously a work of pure, shimmering brilliance. "Fiction at first view" is only Skantze's second release (the first was in 1998), but it comes across like the work of a mature, sophisticated genius who's been making records for years. Skantze is possibly the first Scandi artist to reflect influences as diverse as Ace Frehley of Kiss, Queen, Neil Young, Nick Drake and the prog-rock of artists such as Yes and Mike Oldfield. What makes the disc stand out is the amazingly high level of creative musicianship, coupled with Skantze's sweet, melodic voice (occasionally reminiscent of early Neil), dazzling production and a formula-smashing aesthetic that is awe-inspiring. There are three instrumentals, one of which, "The plunge" is truly among the greatest instrumentals I've ever heard. It's eleven minutes of incandescent brilliance that's like the best of Yes or the Dixie Dregs, with rapid changes that never detract from the overall flow of the composition. Skantze dazzles on both acoustic and electric guitar throughout this platter; the former is showcased on another instrumental, "Appease". The title track is presented in two very different versions that bookend the disc; the pop smarts of the tune delight on every level. Skantze's musical instincts have apparently been honed to diamond-cut sharpness over the years. From the proggy pleasure of "Life provider" and "Gleam of hope" (if you ever wondered what Neil Young might sound like with Yes as a backing band, this track gives a hint), to the Nick Drake-ish "My dreams of late"--complete with haunting cello--lordy, the beauty of this album never stops. I could go on and on, but in a nutshell, this is clearly one of the albums of the year, a stunning release with a palpable respect for music, for the listener, and for the mysterious art of creation itself.
- Kevin Renick