Arbogast
Too proud to stick to winners
Rockbov Productions
The latest release by Arbogast is an impressive effort. Not simply because the vocals and instrumentation are almost entirely handled by one man, Svante Widerström; but because it's been so damn long since I've heard any good rock. With partner-in-crime Patrick Fransson playing the drums, Arbogast has managed to create a sound that pays homage to rock from an era largely forgotten. I'd leave the album playing in the background at work, and swear I'd just heard something by Ozzy or Guns n' Roses. There's plenty of fantastic guitar work to be found on "TPTSTW", particularly on tracks "Not be present", "Flying the flags", "Raining Stones" and "Soiled by shadows of the brave". Sticking points to the CD are few and far between. The only thing that prevents Arbogast from getting a higher score is the lyrics. The subject matter is there most of the time, but the grammar isn't. It might be a minor issue to some, and Mr. Widerström pre-emptively strikes down my nit-picking with the song "Laugh or die", and maybe to some extent, on "Look at yourself, and cry". But it hurts me to see something some so close to perfection stop barely short. It's almost as if the lyrics were an afterthought, when they could have underscored the musical talent present on this album. All in all, however, "TPTSTW" is a brilliant showcase for Arbogast's potential, and I look forward to hearing more from them in the near future.
- Heinrich Souza