Walrus. 2013 Sweden

These are some notes from my old UTR blog. A recent listen confirmed my findings. Overall it's a fine album that captures the spirit of the original Krautrock movement. Pity they didn't continue on.

Exciting new album from Sweden that mixes retro progressive with classic Krautrock sounds. Opening track 'Tromso III' gets the motorik running with a steady beat and analog keyboards layered on top. The real party begins with 'Signals', a haunting organ and violin led piece. Heavy bass and drums propel the track forward in an exciting way. Bleeping synthesizers are dropped on top to create a truly psychedelic atmosphere. But it's the 14 minute 'Spitsbergen' that really places Walrus in the big leagues. Starting out in Ohr music territory, with a decidedly funereal backdrop of organ, synthesizers, bass and plodding drums - the composition suddenly comes alive with an insane and massive fuzz bass attack followed by swirling organ and mellotron . If you don't fly off your couch and put a fist through the wall, then you are... ... legally dead. Very few bands ever capture a perfect moment like that. What a stunning song. 

Ownership: LP: 2013 Electricity. Single sleeve. 

The Electricity label is a new project from the same folks behind Kommun 2. They are really going for a retro look (think 1968).  

4/9/13 (new entry); 6/14/22