*. Kaipa .*

Album: Vittjar (2012)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog/Folk)  /  Sweden

While many bands pertain to blending genres, eras and styles, few really do it well. One such example of a band capable of expertly doing just that is the Swedeish progressive act Kaipa, who over their long history have taken a progressive framework and weaved traditional Scandinavian folk music, baroque motifs and unusual instrumentation into remarkably captivating and cohesive music. Even more impressively the mixture of sounds never come across as contrived or twee, instead proving that those involved are blurring genre boundaries because they love the music they are making and the influences that we hear here on Vittjar. If you've never experienced the beautiful organic sounds of Kaipa, there's still a good chance that you'll know at least one or two of the protagonists, with Per Nilsson of Scar Symmetry providing guitars, Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings bringing bass, Morgan Agren of Mats & Morgan playing drums and Patrik Lundstrom from Ritual providing one of the voices that embellishes the wonderful music. Rounding out the band is the stunning voice of Aleena Gibson, and of course Kaipa mainman Hans Lundin who plays keyboards as well as adding a third voice to the mix. Those blending voices really are one of the most striking elements of the Kaipa sound, with the two male vocals counterpointing Aleena's beautiful soaring tones superbly. Also impressive is that rather than shove the different voices in your face at every available opportunity, each vocalist is allowed time to shine, with long solo sections being embellished by counterpoint backing vocals and the occasional joining of all three. The overriding vibe of Vittjar is one of laid back and gentle moods, but in truth a lot of that arrives through the comfort in which the music sits, with assured performances making even the harder hitting sections, of which there are a few, flow in an impressively relaxing style. That's not to say that everything on show meanders, or feels less than vital, as nothing could be further from the truth, with the over 22 minute "Our Silent Ballroom Band" soothing and stinging in equal measure, whether it be through strings, guitars, or more traditional instrumentation. The songs itself is an absolute triumph, with it given the time to truly ebb and flow from measured acoustic passages to full on guitar assaults and keyboard chaos. All this via sumptuous, varied vocal attacks. However the real masterstroke comes in following up that monster of a song with the short violin and Swedish lyric of the title track, spinning the mood of the album on its head, without ever feeling forced, or over analysed. That said, there aren't any dips in quality across the whole album and while in places things do sometimes take just ever so slightly too long to get to the point, you really can dip into Vittjar at any point and be truly captured by the majesty and skill on show and the breadth of the ideas illustrated at ever twisting turn. Review by "Steven Reid" (www.seaoftranquility.org).

RATING:  8.25 / 10

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