Gösta Berlings Saga
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Transubstans Records
Prog rock is a somewhat maligned genre these days and any group that chooses to head for the even more rarified air of instrumental prog is clearly confident enough not to worry about detractors. But Sweden's Gösta Berlings Saga are really quite good, and they've staked out a particular niche that listeners should know about. This debut recording offers up the expected banquet of energetic keyboards, propulsive percussion and layered guitars, but it's made more listenable than you'd expect because empty displays of virtuosity are kept to a minimum. The music goes somewhere; the dramatic flow is well anchored, and you can actually tap your foot to the rhythm most of the time. Sure, some of it gets a bit tedious in places, but the seven songs keep you engaged more often than not. Echoes of Yes, Magma and Krautrock artists such as Neu! and Can abound and having a Swedish imprint on it makes for a freshness that really enlivens the sound. All four players reveal impressive chops, with captivating sequences on mellotron and Fender Rhodes standing out the most. No trippy dippy lyrics or dramatic vocals here, just disciplined instrumental work.
- Kevin Renick