Løvetann - Løvehjerte (2001)

 

The sixth album from this band from Norway.

The band was a quartet with a line-up of drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, effects, flute and vocals.

A number of guests added backing vocals.

I am continuing to review this band's albums. The first five albums have been pretty good.

This album is clocking in at three quarters of an hour.

The music is an eclectic blend of folk rock, art-rock and early symphonic prog. 

Both Høst and Thule are good references here. 

The music is a bit vaudeville and operatic at times. That not at least because of the vocals. The main vocals are operatic male vocals. The lyrics is a mix of Norwegian and English. 

The band has moved in a more vaudeville art-rock direction on the last couple of albums. This album is very much in that direction. The sound is good. 

The music also sounds like it is influenced by the dark nights beyond the Arctic Circle where this band comes from. 

The quality of the music is pretty good and this makes it an interesting album. It is an album for those who are looking for something original and special. Something unique and exotic.

2.5 points 

Haystacks Balboa - Haystacks Balboa (1970)

 

The one and only album from this band from USA.

The band was a quintet with a line-up of drums, bass, guitars, keyboards and vocals.

This band was one of the many US bands who never really got their breakthrough. Hence their short career and a one-album-only status.

This album is clocking in at thirty-six minutes.

The music here is hard rock... with some nuances.

Mountain, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple is three good references here. The music is very hard rocking at times.

There are also some progressive rock and not at least psych rock here. The music is indeed very progressive at times. That makes this album a much more varied album than just another hard rock album.

There is a lot of good organs and guitars here. Some of the organs reminds me a lot about both Jon Lord and Keith Emerson. 

The vocals are pretty good.

The music is not bad at all. This is indeed a decent album and one to check out if 1970s hard rock is your thing.

2 points