Five young Swedes who form Moon Safari are very talented artists. They caught attention of the prog rock audience by recording a very good album “A Doorway To Summer”, released in 2005. On that disc, on one of the tracks, they were helped out by the keyboardist of The Flower Kings, Tomas Bodin. His participation was however rather a sign of appreciation for the class of the band than a real help in recording this (by the way sensationally sounding) album. Sounds have no mysteries for the musicians of Moon Safari. They are capable of playing and singing virtually everything. Through their music, they can depict silence, show the coming of summer, express the joy of upcoming spring… They can even transfer the sounds given off by flowers…
It is what they do on their new double album entitled "Blomljud". This Swedish phrase, reportedly having no correspondent in any other language, could be translated as “sounds of the flowers”. Indeed, while listening to music from this album one gets the impression as if in Moon Safari’s music everything can sing: flowers, wind, air, trees… There’s so much elusiveness, delicacy, ethereal beauty, but at the same time you would find a great deal of vividness, energy and joy. Honestly, such magical and infinitely beautifully sounding music is indescribable.
There are two lead singers in the band (Simon Åkesson and Petter Sandstrom), but on "Blomljud" all musicians perform vocally. And as they really can sing and they do it in a really exquisite way, it is no wonder that on the album a number of superb vocal harmonies, which you just marvel at, may be found. They make up an unprecedented – on such a scale – phenomena in contemporary prog rock circles. On each of 11 tracks which constitute "Blomljud" there is at least one vocal pearl, on hearing of which one feels the warmth at heart. I guess that the best example is the opening track “Constant Bloom”, lasting only 90 seconds, sung by the band a’capella. Not only is it a sensational beginning of an album but it is the true championship of the world in perfect use of polyphonic vocalise in rock music. Something beautiful and extraordinary.
However Moon Safari are not only great vocalists but also equally great instrumentalists. They are the masters of melodies and unique cheerful atmosphere. When I say that the real ornament of the album is a 30-minute composition “Other Half Of The Sky”, the pessimists would probably bury their heads in their hands. But there is nothing to complain about. This composition, which in different era could be the only track on the LP, is the ultimate in art rock. It is what prog fans like most. There is so much magic, so many changes of tempo, so many ideas that they would suffice for a few separate albums. And what’s more, this composition has so much positive emotional charge, that after listening it is just impossible to easily get back into reality. But Moon Safari found a golden mean for this. Hardly does the monumental climax in the form of “Other Half Of The Sky” end, when you may hear the last track of the album, “To Sail Beyond The Sunset”. It brings a wonderful quietening and in nice way gradually brings the shocked listeners from over the moon to earth.
There are more such wonderful moments on this album. To progressive orthodoxes I recommend “The Ghost Of Flowers Past”, “Methuselah’s Children” and instrumental prog giant “Moonwalk” naturally fading into a captivating song “Bluebells”. They are all really great tracks. Apart from them, you might find a few nice lyrical miniatures. Placed on the second disc, “A Tale Of Three And Tree” is the best, but not the only, example of that.
On "Blomljud" Moon Safari present a real affirmation of life. It is possible because of the substantial amount of lightness, cheerfulness, flow and joy of creating. This music makes one believe that after long winter spring is on the point of coming, that sun is just knocking on the door, that flowers start blossoming, smelling and sing out of happiness. Thanks to the albums like "Blomljud" one wants to live and it is easier to have the zest of everyday life. It is the album filled with beautiful music. Exceptionally pleasant, with positive message. Suitable for every moment. However, it would be best to listen to it right now, just before the explosion of spring, which in a moment will surround us with its colours, smells and sounds.
I have already mentioned that the members of Moon Safari are exceptionally talented people. They sing wonderfully, play wonderfully and compose wonderful music and write wise lyrics. What’s more, one of them, Petter Sandström, is a very gifted graphic designer. He is the author of the cover and the whole graphic design of "Blomljud" and he also sings and plays the guitars with a real flow. Who, apart from him, is in the group which recorded the album which I recommend to everyone who looks for originality, authentic beauty and many positive musical sensations? Simon Åkesson plays moogs, mellotrones and other keyboard instruments, Pontus Åkesson the various guitars, Johan Westerlund is a bassist and Tobias Lundgren a drummer.
The phenomenal album. Ideal for the first day of spring.
Translated by Kasia Chachlowska
