$8.99

"Although there are a lot of new releases around, it seems as if a lot of record labels prefer some heavier material. Fortunately, the Swedish Progress Records are still holding on to the real progressive rock. Cross, Galleon and Grand Stand have already released a lot of splendid prog albums. The last Grand Stand release "Tricks of Time" was praised by the whole prog press. Out of that success rose the project Spektrum, a collaboration of the members from the 3 previously mentioned bands and the female vocalist Lizette von Panajott. And the result is excellent: melodic and refreshing progressive rock with strong compositions and a spotless production.

After a short symphonic introduction "Spektrum", the album starts with "Land of Longing", a track with actually some hit potential, flavoured with a Genesis sauce. Lizette immediately puts down a strong, vocal performance, it's hard to compare her with other female vocalists, but Alanis Morissette probably is the best choice. The song starts with a Porcupine Tree intro, the vocals sound a bit poppy and the accompanying keyboards give you an eighties feeling. But the chorus is again some real Genesis and keeps on popping up in your head. The instrumental passages in the middle and at the end have some Grand Stand influences, but that's normal as Olov is one of the composers of the song.

A quiet keyboard brings us to the first tones of "Now", which have a suspicious resemblance with the beginning of "Fool on the Hill" by The Beatles. Pure coincidence? The peace changes very fast, the tempo clearly rises when Hansi Cross releases his demons. Although this song is full of rhythm changes and surprising turns, it still has an easy listening feeling. This song was initially meant for the next Cross album. Olov again plays a beautiful, melodic keyboard solo, in the style of "Tricks of Time" by Grand Stand. The guitar solo by Hansi also steps in the footsteps of that album, these Swedish musicians really took out a patent on beautiful guitar solos with long notes with a lot of sustain, so no plucking.

"Perpetuum Mobile" starts with a quiet melody from a musical box, joined by the electric piano and later other keyboards. One by one, instruments are added, the volume's rising, the drums get more aggressive and a steady bassline is put underneath. A bit later, a melodic guitar solo is started, this song reminds me of the better Camel. Then the voices are joining in and a wonderful, beautiful guitarsolo is giving the finishing touch. At the end, we're back to the musical box. This is a song that makes my flesh creep.

"Ivory Tower" starts with some harmonic vocals, in the style of RPWL. A threatening guitar accompanies a strong Lizette. The entire song has something dark and a distorted guitarsound only accentuates this feeling. And also Pink Floyd comes round the corner for a moment, when the psychedelic keyboard solo sets off.

"A Chemical Release" is, once more, an up-tempo song, that makes me think of a song out of a rock musical, but there ends every comparison, because the prog always prevails. Again, this is a melodic, perfect composition, brilliant solos on guitar and keyboards and splendid vocals or to make a long story short, it's like the synthesis of the whole album. I should also mention the rhythm section (drums and bass). Although they don't come in front individually, they play an important part on the whole of the CD.

It must be clear by now, this is a little masterpiece from Sweden. This land abounds in talent, especially when we talk about progressive rock. This CD is really the prototype, it will be difficult to keep "Spektrum" out of my top 3 of 2003. The year has only started, but the others will have to come up with something really good to compete with this one. My advice is, buy it!"