MOON SAFARI is a unique band that comes from Skellefteå, Sweden and was formed in 2003. If there’s one thing that makes this band particular, it is the vocals. Moon Safari sound mixes catchy melodies with the Prog sophistication like no one else does, as if The Beach Boys grew up to be a Prog band in the 70s. Think Queen meets Swedish great progsters Jono.
Moon Safari’s illusive comeback album following a decade of silence – titled “Himlabacken Vol. 2” is the continuation of their last recording from ten years ago, the Vol. 1. And well worth the wait.
“Himlabacken Vol. 2” is a terrific 50+ minutes of no-nonsense progressive rock spread over nine tracks filled with soaring, multi-part vocal arrangements, explosive guitars, thunderous low-end, and the unwavering romantic lyrics that fans have come to expect.
Moon Safari’s music is a great example of how to write a perfect melody and yet have the complexity of Prog Rock going. Their songs are really captivating, sometimes adding certain ’80s Pop, others AOR, other heavy guitars. Just listen opening track titled “198X” below.
While vocal harmonies and a knack for exploring emotionally strident universal themes may be Moon Safari’s biggest weapons, Himlabacken Vol. 2 reveals that the band’s collective instrumental abilities seem to have reached an extraordinary new peak in the last years.
Still firmly rooted in classic prog, songs range from mischievous and schizophrenic to impossibly elegant and uplifting numbers, proclaiming a gift for uniting instantly memorable melodies with fiendishly inventive arrangements while still retaining sufficient room for all the analogue keyboards and spiraling lead breaks demanded by a certain breed of atavistic prog fan.
Brave and distinctive but gently familiar, the balance struck is one that dares to dream of a compromise between old-school diehards and prog’s new breed.
“Himlabacken Vol 2” show what game the band is playing, and this is a game you definitely should sit back and watch till the end.
HIGHLY Recommended
1. 198X (Heaven Hill)
2. Between The Devil And Me
3. Emma, Come On
4. A Lifetime To Learn How To Love
5. Beyond The Blue
6. Blood Moon
7. Teen Angel Meets The Apocalypse
8. Forever, For You
9. Epilog
Line Up:
- Petter Sandstrom / lead & backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Simon Akesson / lead & backing vocals, piano, organ, Moog
- Pontus Akesson / lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
- Sebastian Akesson / backing vocals, assorted keyboards, percussion
- Johan Westerlund / lead & backing vocals, bass
- Mikael Israelsson / drums & percussion, backing vocals
With:
- Jamison Smeltz / saxophone (8)
Moon Safari – Himlabacken Vol. 2 (2023) Digi WEB
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