Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Beardfish
Label: Inside Out Records
Release: 2011
Rating: 4.5/5
Sweden’s Beardfish have, in recent years, earned their reputation as one of the most exciting and versatile progressive rock bands of the new generation. What sets Beardfish apart from their Scandinavian compatriots, say The Flower Kings, the leading lights of the prog rock revival, is that the atmosphere of most of their work tends to be darker, and that they don’t go in for sunshine and flowers in their lyrics. Besides a passionate fusion of symphonic rock, jazz, pop rock and funk under the influence of the prog rock classics of the seventies, Beardfish also put a good deal of emphasis on hard-rocking guitar lines, and there’s still room for a pinch of humor too, especially in the lyrics. Even though Beardfish compositions reflect complexity, instrumental polish and rhythmic unpredictability, they always carry a strong melodic component as well, which makes them one of the more accessible prog rock bands of the newer generation.
Their latest, “Mammoth”, is their sixth and the follow-up to the excellent “Destined Solitaire” (2009), which set some new standards for what quality 21st-century progressive rock should sound like. Let’s say right off the bat that “Mammoth” easily lives up to the high expectations of the ever-growing legion of fans of this great Swedish progressive rock band.
“The Platform” is an incredibly energetic opener. With its razor-sharp guitar riff, backed by aggressive yet intricate, creative drumming and a thickened bass line, while the keyboards are pushed completely into the background, anyone who doesn’t know the band well will surely think at first that they’re dealing with some prog metal outfit. Even the dynamic, velvety vocals of Rikard Sjoblom, who besides singing also plays guitar and keyboards, would fit any prog metal band perfectly. The subtle acoustic guitar passages in between and the jazz-tinged drum transitions do let the listener know, though, that they’re dealing with a band with a much wider sonic vocabulary than your average prog metal group.
“And the Stone Said: If I Could Speak”, at more than 15 minutes the longest and most complex piece on the album, instantly recalls one of the legendary prog rock bands of the seventies thanks to the retro sound of its biting Hammond organs, while dynamic rhythmic shifts keep this layered but still melodic composition incredibly lively throughout. Somewhere in the middle comes a subtle, romantic stretch with vocals, jazz-funk rhythmic flourishes and bursts of sax from guest saxophonist Johan Holm. Like most of the better prog rock bands, Beardfish love to dramatize and slowly build up tense atmosphere, until they push it into more aggressive, darker territory with brutal rhythmic acrobatics and irritated vocal outbursts. The whole thing wraps up in epic fashion.
“Tightrope” is lighter in nature, with the emphasis on a pastoral acoustic guitar melody that gives it a slight folk flavor. The album gets better with every track. “Green Waves” again has a somewhat more aggressive, dramatic atmosphere, with plenty of punchy guitar lines, a complex, fractured rhythm and sudden avant-garde twists that lean a bit toward the sonic legacy of the legendary King Crimson. The instrumental “Outside/Inside” is a short piano solo overture.
That’s followed by a real jazz fusion treat, the excellent instrumental “Akakabotu”, with elaborate sax and Hammond organ passages and wild drum crashes, accompanied now and then by subtle guitar harmonies. The atmosphere keeps shifting from tender, almost romantic nuances to more aggressive, darker shades. The closing “Without Saying Anything (Featuring Ventriloquist)” is another superb, incredibly dynamic creation with constantly changing moods, from melodic, hypnotic passages on guitar and keyboards to aggressive fusion-style rhythmic acrobatics on bass and drums. Sjoblom’s vocals tie it all together beautifully. In the second half we’re dealing with what’s practically a completely different song, as its structure and mood change dramatically. An epic melody steps into the foreground and wraps up this superb album in triumphant fashion.
“Mammoth” is a real sonic trampoline of unpredictable twists and unbridled fusion, held together by strong melodic cohesion. Beardifish have made another great album, proving that in terms of the quality of their studio work they’re one of the most consistent bands in modern progressive rock. Despite the goofy album title and the no less comical, but at the same time great, cover art, this is one of the best prog rock achievements of 2011.
Lineup
Rikard Sjöblom – vocals, keyboards, guitar, percussion
David Zackrisson – guitar, backing vocals
Robert Hansen – bass guitar, backing vocals
Magnus Östgren – drums
Production
Beardfish and William Blackmon
Tracklist
1. The Platform (8:06)
2.And The Stone Said: If I Could Speak (15:07)
3. Tightrope (4:33)
4. Green Waves (8:53)
5. Outside / Inside (1:43)
6. Akakabotu (5:41)
7. Without Saying Anything (feat. Ventriloquist) (8:10)
