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Reviews and Interviews for Notes from the past Angling feelings (2007)INTERVIEWS English Sea Of Tranquillity Hans Lundin of Kaipa Checks In To Talk About Angling Feelings REVIEWS English Metalexpress The album is a joyful and spiritual experience, packed with everything from poetic beauty to mindboggling instrumental extravaganza. It offers some of the grooviest and most successful 7/8 time signatures ever made in "The Fleeting Existence Of Time" and breathtaking beauty in "Path Of Humbleness," which must be among the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Angling Feelings is Kaipa at their best and probably their best effort this decade. Sound, production, melody, harmony, groove, and everything you could possibly measure music by is simply spot on. It is a gift and a magic hug to all fans of music with a Progressive approach. 10/10 Usaprogmusic Kaipa are a 6 piece "progressive, fusion, folk, rock" band from Sweden who really know what they are doing. Their latest album "Angling Feelings" is a very tight, modern sounding masterpiece with all the elements of light, shade, complexity and melody more than apparent and moreover, in abundance. The title track hits you like a brick on the head, with very pacey and complex 5/4 timing you aren't really sure what's happening next. Track 2 "The Glorious Silence Within" is a beautiful song with a fantastic build up, this leads into "The Fleeting Existence of Time" which is an album in itself. Wow! Track 4 is fab and track 5 "Liquid Holes in the Sky" has a wonderful string intro and a superb guitar solo to boot. Back uptempo with "Solitary Pathway" then track 7, "Broken Chords" with it's unique sequencer rhythm and chord stucture. This one is the one for me. Fab guitar solo too. Track 8 "Path of Humbleness" is a kind of folk meets funk. Interesting this with some top drumming and a great vocal delivery. The last two songs round of a fascinating album. Superb production, Superb music. Superb band and singers. My only complaint is that track 5 and 10 end a bit abruptly like the engineer ran out of tape or something, but hey, that's prog! Guitarist Per Nilsson gives a brilliant display of virtuority throughout whilst Hans Lundin's keyboard playing gives a multi-textural feeling which brings the songs to life. Singers Aleena Gibson and Patrick Lundstrom do a stirling job throught the album with stark punchy vocal styles which compliment the energy of the band perfectly. Drummer Morgan Agren and bassist Jonas Reingold really play to the highest level to keep the energy in the music. All in all a faultless performance topped with some lovely whistles and recorders from Fredrik Lindqvist. We hope they are all as good as this; We love this job. Fantastic! 10/10 Trademark Of Quality With Angling Feelings, however, Lundin and band have expanded Kaipa's sound - there are many passages that sound downright jazzy, mostly those featuring Aleena Gibson's seductive vocals. Patrik Lundstrom (Ritual) provides the vocals for most of the material here, his warm voice and soaring vocals playing well off of Gibson's breathless phrasing. There are elements of traditional Swedish folk interlaced within the songs, as well as hints of world music influences. "Broken Chords," for instance, builds upon a simple, island-influenced rhythm with shimmering guitar and keyboards and Lundstrom's strident vocals. "The Glorious Silence Within" dances out of your speakers like a sprite at a Renaissance faire, the song's intricate weaving of delicate instrumentation matched by an upbeat tempo and performance, with delightful vocal harmonies building a joyful chorus. "Path Of Humbleness" begins with an ethereal, far-away sounding intro leading into Gibson's haunting vocals and a quiet cloud of instrumentation before filling out with an unique mix of Celtic traditionalism and soulful keyboard riffing. The title cut kicks off with a Wakemanesque keyboard wash before descending into a maddening, chaotic clash of instrumentation and vocals that has its roots in the '70s-era sound of King Crimson but its feet firmly in the firmament of contemporary prog expectations. The song provides Nilsson with an excellent showcase, his nimble fretwork and trembling tone adding a vital new aspect to Kaipa's sound, different from, but just as valuable as Stolt's previous contributions. Whether you're a fan of classic prog-rockers like Yes and Genesis or modern generation prog bands like the Flower Kings or Pallas, you'll find a lot to like about Kaipa. If you're a new fan recently discovering the joys of the prog genre, Kaipa's Angling Feelings is a good place to begin your journey. With superb musicianship, charming vocal harmonies and imaginative song craftwork, Kaipa has successfully incorporated sounds both old and new, building a bridge between the '70s and the '00s. Enchanting and electrifying, Angling Feelings represents both the overwhelming potential and the very best aspects of contemporary progressive rock. Progplanet On this new outing we get Per Nilsson on electric guitars and thats not a bad trade at all!! Per, delivers some excellent guitaring (both solo and chord wise) on this album. In all, its a musical brilliant venture Kaipa has released this time (also), There are superb songs, there are great sound and arrangements and the delivery are, well just excellent! Lundin´s keyboards are as always supreme, ever present and joy for any keyboard freak. Not to mention the master bass lines of Jonas Reingold (ex- Flower Kings) with those basic and solid drums of Morgan Ågren, finally we have the pleasure of vocalist´s: Patrik Lundstrøm & Aleena Gibson (that distinct voice, giving me goosebumps now and then!) summing up, a totally great (to my ears) new album from these fabulous Swede´s. Imagine hints of Flower kings (surprise surprise), folk-like theme´s, high powered progmusic, great ballads, breaks and time signatures a plenty, great soloing, beautiful voices. All done with superb vigour and talent!! So, almost 65 minutes of great progmusic, for you to get your eager proghands on!! Dont just sit there, go buy it!! Special mention to superb epic track: "The Fleeting Existence of Time" which holds all the aforementioned superlatives!! 5/6 Dutch Progressive Rock Page The Fleeting Existence Of Time is possibly the bands finest twelve and half minutes ever. The first section features Aleena's stirring vocal melody offset with stunning interplay between rippling guitar and Lundin's gritty sounding Hammond. At the half way mark it develops into a jazzier affair with excellent ensemble playing delivered with rapid fire precision. It's fair to say that this release marks a huge leap forward for Kaipa. Whilst the richly symphonic Keyholder improved upon Notes From The Past in every way, Mindrevolutions in my opinion progressed hardly from its predecessor. Angling Feelings on the other hand sees the band redefining their style of melodic progressive rock and taking a few risks along the way. The influences are less obvious than before with the band sounding more cohesive and with more than the occasional moment of sheer musical brilliance. Lundström's characteristic vocals are normally an acquired taste but here they sit far more comfortably within the sonic soundstage. Vocal duties are also split more evenly this time round allowing Aleena to demonstrate her dynamic and passionate vocal skills to the full. The material is certainly some of the strongest ever from Lundin and the production is as clear as glass demonstrating that the absence of Stolt is not an issue. That's unless of course you miss the extra fifteen minutes of playing time that he would have almost certainly have added! Highly recommended and destined to be one of my top albums of 2007 for sure. 9/10 Prog-Nose This is the ninth studio album of Kaipa, the fourth from their second period, starting in 2002 and the first without Roine Stolt from The Flower Kings, who initially started with this band. His replacement on the guitar is Per Nilsson, known from the metal band Scar Symmetry. A new guitar player, a new wind in the Kaipa world, a new sound? Well it certainly makes a difference. Although all the ingredients from previous albums are still around, which were the jazzy parts, the progressive pieces, the complex instrumental moments, the folk influences and the melodic vocal parts; they are all performed in a more relaxed way. The jazzy escapades are shorter than before and don't get too far away from the melody. It was especially the latter which I didn't like for a hundred percent on the earlier works. It were always great albums, but those long improvised pieces kept me from playing the albums a lot. And this one will find the way to my CD player much easier. Per Nilsson is a great guitar player. Without questioning the skills of Roine, I can say that Per gives the Kaipa music a whole new twist, with breathtaking guitar solos. It's a completely different world, away from the metal music, but he certainly knows his way around. The vocals are perfectly balanced between Aleena and Patrik. Patrik sings most of the tracks, with his known Ritual voice and his folky influenced melodies. Aleena takes the more melodic pieces. They have great complementary voice timbres which fit perfectly together. I don't have to comment the works of Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, The Tangent) because everybody knows his skills. And on the drums, there's a master of percussion, Morgan Ågren. If you have played with Zappa, no one doubts your qualities. He's also known from Matts/Morgan and from touring with the Glen Hughes band. The folk influences are emphasized by the guest appearance on several tracks by Frederik Lindqvist (Ritual), playing recorders and whistles. The new line-up takes this album to a higher level and makes it one of my favourite Kaipa CD's along with "Notes from the Past", which I always preferred. I wonder if they'll ever perform this on stage. Would be a dazzling experience! 9/10 Ytsejam.com Angling Feelings offers another intricate work by Hans Lundin & Co., where he and the band go beyond pushing the envelope in pursuing an alchemy of melodic endurance. 4/5 German The Pit Überdurchschnittliche Prog-Scheibe! Unbedingte Kaufempfehlung an alle Liebhaber dieser Musik. Unsere wackeren Musiker/innen und ihre Qualitäten fügen sich so perfekt wie ein vollständig gelöstes Puzzle zusammen. Allen voran tobt sich Mr. Lundin - ein echter Meister seines Faches - im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes auf seinen Tasteninstrumente aus. Er entlockt selbigen so manch wundersames als auch schön anzuhörendes Klanggebilde. An seiner Seite zaubert Neuzugang Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) ordentlich auf seiner Sechssaitigen. Als Gitarrist einer Metalband stellt er hier unter Beweis, dass er auch andere "Se(a)iten" aufziehen kann. Basser Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings) sowie Drummer Morgan Ågreen sorgen stets und ständig für den richtigen und gleichzeitig tighten Rhythmus. Ihren Takt-, Tempo- und Rhythmuswechseln zu folgen, fällt beim Durchhören der CD schon mal schwer. Was soll's - Prog-Rock ist halt so - basta!!! Sänger Patrick Lundström (Ritual - auch eine schwedische Progband) hat ein kräftiges, voll- und wohltönendes Organ, das ein ums andere Mal eine Gänsehaut auf meinem Rücken erzeugt. Danke! Zu seiner Verstärkung nimmt Aleena Gibson regelmäßig das Mikro in die Hand. Die Duette der Beiden sind schlichtweg ergreifend und einer der großen Pluspunkte dieser Scheibe. Wer glaubt die Sechs hätten nicht noch ein As im Ärmel, der sieht sich getäuscht. Um die Folk-Komponente in der Musik wieder stärker zu betonen, hat Herr Lundin den Kollegen und Chef von Herrn Lundström - Ritual-Boss und Multiinstrumentalist Frederik Lindqvist - überredet, ein paar extra-tolle Whistle-Parts beizusteuern. Grandioser Einfall.. Einen einzelnen oder alle Titel an dieser Stelle zu beschreiben, halte ich für unmöglich, überflüssig und ungerecht. Die CD ist - wenn auch kein Konzeptalbum - super als Ganzes zu genießen. Sie beginnt mit dem Titelsong sofort auf sehr hohem musikalischen Niveau und hält dieses über die gesamte Dauer problemlos. Es gibt tatsächlich nur zwei Abweichungen. Die überlangen "The Fleeting Existence Of Time (12:37)" und "Path Of Humbleness (9:29)" bewegen sich außerordentlich überzeugend in der Abteilung "genial/ fulminant". Vor allem der "Pfad der Bescheidenheit" bringt die Folkkomponente sehr schön zum Vorschein. 9.5/10 Metalearth So wunderbar ausgeglichen sind die Fragmente und so stimmig die Kompositionen, sodass man diese Platte am liebsten heiraten möchte. Hört euch diese Platte und und lasst euch in eine andere Welt verführen. 5/5 Home.arcor Einzelne Highlights herauszugreifen macht so wenig Sinn, wie einen Kuckuck nach Athen tragen zu wollen... denn höre ich mir allein die Schlussphase von "The Fleeting Existence Of Time" an, wünschte ich mir, das würde 100 Jahre so weiter gehen! Insgesamt vermittelt diese fröhliche Mischung aus 70er (Yes-)Prog, Pop, Folk und Jazz eine neue Lust am Hören. Schnell hat man Schmetterlinge im Ohr und möchte auch in dieses Schiffchen klettern ... Fazit: Vertrackte Unverbindlichkeiten. Vergnügliche Prog-Schachtel. Bescheidenes Monument ... 12/12 ("This Ship Of Life: 12+/12) Rocktimes Kaipa sind mit dieser Veröffentlichung weiterhin eine der maßgeblichen Prog-Bands aus Schweden. Hier passt wirklich fast alles. Die Musik hat sicherlich nicht mehr viel mit den frühen Jahren dieser Band zu tun, aber im Jahr 2007 zeigen uns Lundin und seine Mitstreiter, wo es lang gehen kann. Anspruchsvolle Musik, die den geneigten Fan für einige Zeit dazu zwingen wird, "Angling Feelings" immer und immer wieder in den Player einzulegen. Ich bin beeindruckt und hätte nicht erwartet, dass Kaipa so ein gelungenes Album vorlegen würden. Stark, ganz stark, noch stärker als Mindrevolutions aus dem Jahr 2005. Respekt!!! Metalfactory Kaipa stehen schon viele Jahre für hochprozentigen Prog Rock. So gibt's schon beim Opener trickreiche Rhythmik und schwedische Folkeinflüsse im 5/4 Takt, so dass bereits hier alle Prog-Fans jubilieren. Und auf grossen Strecken wird dies fortgeführt. Das ganze Album vermittelt die Vorlieben Ludins, nämlich sehr viel Melodieverliebtheit, Rock-Power, Vorlieben für schwedischen Folk und fließende Vertracktheiten. Unterstrichen wird dies durch den hervorragenden Gesang von Patrik Lundström, der auch bei Ritual zockt und Aleena Gibson, deren wunderschöne Stimme sehr viel Ähnlichkeit mit der ebenfalls bezaubernden Tracy Hitchings (Landmarq) hat. Nur schon der zwölfminütige Song "The Fleeting Existence Of Time" ist das Geld für den ganzen Rundling wert, wobei die anderen Tracks keinesfalls schlechter sind. Lundin hat hier mit neuer Mannschaft ein wirkliches Prog-Highlight kreiert, das ganz sicher jetzt schon zu den Besten dieses Jahres zählen wird, glaubt mir. "Angling Feelings" kann ich ganz sicher und ohne Einschränkung jedem Prog Rock-Fan nur empfehlen, ihr werdet genau so wie ich völlig begeistert sein! 9.4/10 INTERVIEWS Swedish Artrock.se Maestro Hans Lundin i Kaipa svarar på några frågor om gruppen och senaste plattan "Angling Feelings". REVIEWS Swedish UNT Kaipa släpper nu en cd som är ett gott exempel på modern progrock i 2000-talet, med genomarbetat låtmaterial, stark melodikänsla och ett styvt musikantiskt hantverk från alla inblandade, inklusive sångarna Patrik Lundström och Aleena Gibson. Gruppens ankare, låtskrivaren och keyboardisten Hans Lundin, är i dag den ende originalmedlemmen sedan gitarristen Roine Stolt slutat. Den sistnämnde har på den nya skivan ersatts av Per Nilsson som har sin förankring i hårdrocken, och det hörs i de bitvis ganska tunga gitarrmattorna och den distade tonen. Men Per Nilsson uppvisar också en bredd, från finstämd akustisk gitarrväv till vresigare klanger med drag av progrockens avantgarde, typ King Crimson. Hans solon i låtar som Liquid holes in the sky och Solitary pathway är ruskigt bra. Mångfalden hör till Kaipas styrka, och Hans Lundins låtbyggen är fyllda av fina melodiska passager, samtidigt som trummisen Morgan Ågren lägger ett effektivt groove, emellanåt med mer bastanta rockrytmer som i titelspåret. Lundin har också en förmåga att tvinna in folkton i sin musik, till exempel i Path of humbleness med dess anthemliknande, nästan pastorala melodi. Som instrumentalist bjuder han alltifrån vinande syntslingor till ett maffigt hammondsound som påminner om gruppens rötter bakåt i tiden. 4/5 Agonyzone Kaipas folkrocksinspirerade fusion/progg är närmast oändligt skön att lyssna på. Soundet andas ett avslappnat och obekymrat tidlöst lugn, ungefär som titeln också antyder - "metningskänslor". Vilsna själar brukar mena att Per Gessle eller Ulf Lundell har en förmåga att förmedla känslan av en svensk sommarkväll. Skitsnack, säger jag. Den som påstår det har inte hört Kaipa. 4/5 Extendedmix "Angling feelings" kommer, som vanligt, med en fantasifull målning på framsidan av Jan Ternald, som gjort omslaget till KAIPA's tre senaste album. Jag tycker att hans dataanimerade skapelser beskriver KAIPA's musik ganska väl, med lite saga, flower power och fantasi. Jag tror att många skulle behöva KAIPA's musikform i sina liv, positiv, vacker, opolitisk och mytomspunnen. Bandet gör ingen rak och enkel musik, men den är ganska enkel att ta till sig och njuta av. Gör gärna det. 8/10 Mindrevolutions (2005) INTERVIEWS English Musicstreetjournal Interview with Hans Lundin of Kaipa Rock-impressions Interview with Hans Lundin KAIPA REVIEWS [ENGLISH] [GERMAN] [SPANISH] [ITALIAN] English Progressive World This sweet sundae will make you salivate even when only the tiniest dribble remains in the dish. It is incredible how much this group accomplishes on this album. I suspect a mountain of work went into this album. This slowly-cooked concoction has flavor in every itty bitty morsel. The time in the kitchen really pays off and provides us with a heaping helping of food for thought. It's a real delicatessen for your mind. Enjoy each bite, but don't wolf it down. You must take the time to revel in each revolution. You must revisit this music many times in order to experience every carefully chosen ingredient. While they've nearly maxxed out the capacity of the disc, they've managed to put symphonic pleasure into each and every moment. While there isn't much more they could do, something tells me they'll somehow find a way. "Mindrevolutions" - I cannot imagine anybody who'd disagree that this is the best track on the album. What's a "Mindrevolution"? I have no idea, but I know I like it. After hearing a fortune of fantastic songs that play together in tandem, this is another change of pace. It's completely separate from the rest of the songs. Considering its girth, it makes sense to give this song its own standing room. I think it's the finest Kaipa creation I've ever heard and it works wonders in the middle of the album. The melodies are tremendous. The keyboard solos are astonishing. The song is just truly engrossing. In the end, you'll find Kaipa guilty as charged for putting out another progressive rock masterpiece. 4.75/5 Prog-Nose And once again they have delivered an amazing album, which makes one wonder how much more inspiration Lundin and Stolt have left? The music of Kaipa is (still) not easy to describe, as it contains many different styles and angles. Prog rock, folk, jazz rock, improvisation, everything is in it. But the compositions are from an exceptionally high level, making the album solid as a rock. A highlight to me is the title song "Mindrevolutions", clocking almost 26 minutes. Here all styles melt together in one epic song. Great solos, by guitar, bass and keys, and beautiful vocals. If you look closer, you find that the entire album is filled wit pretty complex music, but Lundin shaped it in such a way, that you hardly notice that. Kaipa is a band with a mind of it's own, with as yet an unusual sound, where it can rightly be said it is a top notch band, that most certainly let's the listener enjoy some pretty virtuoso music! 8/10 Metal-realm First feeling: nice, but nowhere near "Notes...". But how wrong can one be? Here I am, a few days later, totally unable to stop listening to this wonderful work. There simply are no bad songs in here! "Mind Revolutions", the titletrack, is a 25 minute long epic which, to be straightforward, is simply one of the best epics I have ever heard. Despite its huge length there are not bad parts in the song, and you just can't get tired of it! Everything in this song is just so amazing: the mellow guitars, the beautiful vocal lines, the arrangements, the keys (the nostalgic almost folk lines have "Hans Lundin" written all over them). It's all perfectly in place. As for the musicianship, it's just brilliant, and so is the production. Kaipa are back with one more absolutely amazing album! Don't miss it! 9.5/10 Espudd While saying that Mindrevolutions is your "standard" Kaipa might get you some strange looks, it is. Expect the unexpected. Expect brilliant vocal harmonies and a catchy groove to just appear out of seemingly nowhere. Expect for the guitar solos to lift you and take you through both time and space. Expect for time to stand still as you gaze in wonder at all the amazing colors and imagery that is painted across your mind. Expect to hear something you haven't heard before. Expect to know that Kaipa is pure uninhibited progressive prowess at its peak. Expect to love this album as much as you loved the last one. They continue to amaze me and everyone else, even after 30 years. 5/5 Rockreviews With ensuing listens the listener finds something new on this record each time he/she gives it a spin. Especially this holds true for the title track, which is a 26-minute epic and also the most progressive song in terms of song structure on this album. This is a must-have album for the fans of Kaipa as well as everyone who enjoys his prog with soothing melodies rather than ridiculous gimmickry. 9/10 Musicaldiscoveries Kaipa is as appealing to the aesthetic of today's progressive music scene as it was 30 years ago. The material gives way to some lovely melodies amongst the superb progressive production. The album is clearly best listened when played from beginning to end uninterrupted. Kaipa clearly are going from strength to strength. 5/5 Metalrage I have to admit: the first time I heard sounds from this record, my reaction was: "What the hell is this?? And why would a band that exists for such a long time send this to a metal e-zine?" After a while, my opinion totally changed. The music is... it's just weird. The 25!! minute title-song. I've heard some long songs in the past, some of them quite nice, others just rubbish. This one has such a great structure, with climaxes, sings of relief and strong, fast guitar riffs. If you haven't got any plans to get this album, please do so for this song. 89/100 German Ragazzi-music "Mindrevolutions" ist ein typisches Neu-Kaipa-Album. Die grandiosen Harmonien, komplexen Ausbrüche, folklorischen Melancholien, zarten und harten Instrumentalorgien, wunderbaren Gesänge - da gibt es keine Wiederholungen zu den früheren Alben, nur die Erweiterung. Fabelhafte Musik, mit weder zu viel Schönklang, noch zu viel Abstraktion. Wer die neuen Kaipa Platten kennt, wird dieses traumhafte Stück symphonische Musik lieben. Metalearth "Shadows of Time", bei dem man wieder einmal zeigt, dass man das Songschreiben beherrscht. Die Melodien sind so verpielt und träumerisch, so dass man alles um einen herum glatt vergisst. Zudem erzeugt der Song eine immense Gänsehaut, die sich erst einige Minuten nach dem Ende des selbigen legt. Diese CD ist einfach genial und dürfte selbst nicht-Proggern gefallen, da sie sehr vielfältig ist. 5/5 Spanish Metalthunder Y otro detalle a tener en cuenta es la presencia de dos voces, una masculina y otra femenina, lo que dota a la música de Kaipa de un empaque que pocas veces se puede encontrar en los discos que se publican en este sufrido principio de siglo. Fans de Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull y Genesis de Peter Gabriel, atentos a este pedazo de disco. 9/10 INTERVIEWS Italian Metalitalia KAIPA - Time For Revolutions REVIEWS [ENGLISH] [GERMAN] [SPANISH] [ITALIAN] Italian Orionmagazine "Mindrevolutions": fantastiche melodie, musica piena di fascino e passione che disegna scenari sempre più colorati in cui la fantasia dell'ascoltatore può trovare ampio rifugio, tutto questo per merito del già collaudato uso delle stupende voci di Hans Lundin, Patrik Lundstrom e la sempre più sorprendente e sofisticata Aleena, aiutati dall'energica presenza delle linee del fretless bass di Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings) e dell'ormai consolidata esperienza tecnica di Roine Stolt che raggiunge il suo top nel guitar solo centrale e finale di "Remains of the day". Un disco "pieno"in tutti i sensi (79 minuti) che straborda di creatività e di una bellezza senza tempo, dove la noia è bandita anche nei 25 minuti della title track piena di cambi di tempo e lunghi passaggi strumentali ben riusciti (tra cui un drum solo ed un finale dove ritorna il cantato ad una e più voci con in sottofondo chitarre spagnoleggianti). 8.5/10 Holymetal La nuova opera dei sei, "Mindrevolutions" appunto, si presenta immediatamente come una delle uscite più innovative e interessanti di questo 2005, forte di un suono che mescola prog, partiture "fusioneggianti" e melodia molto particolare; pazzesca la tecnica dei nostri, letteralmente dei maestri in fase di arrangiamento e di esecuzione, come dimostrano le disinvolte partiture dell'opener "The Dodger". 9/10 Hardsounds Ogni singola traccia dell'album regala emozioni e nessuna trasmette il senso di 'esercizio di stile' fine a se stesso; questo perchè la grandissima tecnica di ognuno dei componenti è finalizzata ad un progetto comune che è creare un tappeto di suoni complesso che possa vivere da solo, ma nello stesso tempo essere un perfetto accompagnamento alle voci dei due ottimi vocalist. 85/100 Keyholder (2003) REVIEWS [SWEDISH] [ENGLISH] [GERMAN] [SPANISH] [ITALIAN] English Progressive World This CD offers up an intense session, filled with exacting musicianship that creates atmospheres that will linger in your consciousness long after the disc stops spinning. This is progressive rock for the ages brought to you buy two of the geniuses still making music with meaning and substance, Roine Stolt and Hans Lundin. 5/5 Proggnosis The music on this cd is fantastic, rewarding the listener with every possible element progressive rock has to offer. Keyholder easily rates as one of the best progrock cds I have heard yet this year, everything is done with perfection. There are no hints of the amaturistic piecing of musical pieces some bands are known for, everything flows with a graceful continuity. The band takes no shortcuts in creating majestic, complex yet melodic detours into instrumental territories, which exemplifies the musicians very best attributes. Be prepared to be impressed, only if you are a progressive rock fan, as this cd delivers the very essence of the genres greatest demands for excellence. You may even find this cd rated along side of your Relayer, Close to the Edge albums, as it compares to some of the most ambitious music done on a grand epical scale by the great Yes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So the music in Keyholder, which swirls like an hypnotized snake in the hands of an experienced enchanter, does justice to the very rich history of its intervenient players, for it is comprised of each and every characteristic that has been making the delights of the progheads and their surrender to the exquisite quality of Scandinavian Sympho. The offer here is basically one of variety, good-mood, melody and enjoyment, but the band is perfectly able to translate complexity, emotional shifts and compositional richness into that fascinating result. So if you want to open the door of some of the best contemporary symphonic art-rock, all you have to do is ask the Keyholder to do it for you! Espudd Every Kaipa release is what prog is all about; musical experimentation without limitation. Keyholder plunges us one again into the deep rolling sea of a musical acid trip. Filled with every color and texture, Keyholder paints extraordinary pictures with watercolors yet to be defined and thoughts yet to be collected. Any progressive fan will easily see the beauty and majesty of this grand expanse of musical freedom. Now sit back, relax, and ride upon the coattails of your imagination. Those who helped define progressive music are still the masters. 5/5 Tombstone Kaipa are back with a brand new album that, to put it simply, is a true progressive rock masterpiece. The lengthy songs featured in the album have many changes, the arrangements are complex and the musicianship amazing. But the most important thing is that the songs are "real songs" and not just a display of their skills. The female vocals are emotional and the lady has one of the finest voices in rock while the male vocals are simply perfect for the kind of music they play. The melodies are very catchy and the more atmospheric passages enrich the album and they are a key element in the success of the album. There's a symphonic feeling in some of the songs and the Hammond is helping vastly in the creation of this symphonic feeling. In my opinion this is how progressive rock should be played and this is exactly how it should be produced. With a production that helps in the creation of the atmosphere and allows every small detail to surface and be heard in the right level. Invest. 9/10 Getreadytorock It's all very retro, gloriously so, and - with nothing weighing in at less than six minutes - damn serious stuff. With frequently changing time signatures, this CD effectively whisks us back to another age. In fact, who needs to scrape out the old battered vinyl? This CD is all that's needed...there's even lashings of wah-wah. Tremendous! 4/5 Dutch Progressive Rock Page This is right on the money, the hammer on the nail, excellent album! Keyholder is that kind of an album where you can't get it that almost 80 minutes have past while listening to it. You keep focused and paying attention to the wonderful music and that of course is a big compliment to the whole band. 9/10 Seaoftranquility Stylistically similar to Notes From the Past, Keyholder again updates the Kaipa sound with healthy doses of aggressive, keyboard oriented prog with a dashes of Flower Kings magic thrown into the pot. It's a winning formula folks. Keyholder is damn impressive, but looking at the roster involved with Kaipa now that should come as no surprise. Prog fans-run out and get this, pronto! 4,5/5 New Horizons This is an album that has great depths. The quality of the material, the playing and the production are all superb and repeat listenings always seem to throw up something not heard before. At the end of the day, Kaipa have followed their previous success with another album that quite simply should not be missed. Hairless Heart Herald After the 2002 release of Notes From The Past, many people would have thought the next album would be a hard act to follow, but Keyholder might hit the top of the annual polls as best album. From the impressive artwork on the cover, the near 80-minute music package lives up to expectations. Eight tracks of sheer quality make this my tip for the top. Hats off again to the writing talents of Hans Lundin and Roine Stolt, and the playing of Jonas Reingold and Morgan Ågren, and the vocal talents of Patrik Lundstrom and Aleena. Prog-Nose A proof of Kaipa's status as one of the purest symphonic outfits. The nice thing about this album is the fact that it's rather different than "Notes from the past" yet it sounds like authentic Kaipa throughout. This kind of means that the band has once again put it's recognizable stamp onto the music yet has broken new ground as well. Especially in the rhythm section the band now tends to rub shoulders with jazz and fusion without making it too obvious. It's that constant weaving of different styles which finally creates the "Keyholder". Electricbasement Overflows with creativity, pinwheeling from calliope keyboards one minute to melodies so painstakingly executed, one senses the musicians straddle a trapeze that could fail at any second. It never does. The familiar melts into something new, something Kaipa. Just how the cascading melodies, left -field time changes and lithe vocals cohere is a mystery. Yet the disparate elements somehow connect. The music isn't so much catchy as it is fascinating, akin to exploring a carnival with different adventures around every corner. Whatever the case, Keyholder upholds Kaipa's reputation for breathless musicianship, catchy melodies and varied instrumentation. 4/5 Metal-guide Buy with closed eyes, if you are into Progressive. Excellent musicianship and killer melodies. There are plenty of ideas, and a well hidden catchy feeling, this same feeling that makes you unable leaving the album in the middle, even if you are not 100% into Progressive stuff. 10/10 Prog4you The album opens with "Lifetime of a Journey," a classic Kaipa track that picks up right where Notes From the Past left off. One of the real pleasures of the reborn Kaipa is Patrik Lundstrom's terrific voice. He is, quite simply, my favorite vocalist in rock. 9/10 Grande-rock This year Kaipa seems to be determined to drive us all nuts! Because its new album is a more than valuable contribution to prog rock for the new millennium. And that is because the music of the new CD is the perfect mixture of progressive, rock, folk, symphonic, classical, lyrical music with some oriental touch! Roine Stolt (guitars) and Hans Lundin (keyboards) have opened their soul to create music with sense, sentiment and passion. Ah not to forget to mention Aleena's backing (and sometimes lead) vocals that add an even more impressive tone to the whole context. For me this CD might be the surprise of the year. Prog fans don't imagine missing this one. 8/10 Musicaldiscoveries Outstanding production quality, superb arrangements and evocative vocals characterise the second Kaipa album after their reburth. Keyholder is worth a trans-Atlantic journey and is certainly a must listen! Angelfire The whole CD is a highlight, and the 8 long tracks included take up to an incredible total playing time of 78 minutes! All the songs are winners, but my favourites are "A complex work of art", "Sonic pearls" and "Distant voices". All the Progrockfans can buy the second album of KAIPA! 8.5/10 German Forbidden-planet Ganz einfach: alle die, die Musik hören wollen, die vielleicht auch nach ein paar Jahren noch begeistern kann. Und die Chancen, daß "Keyholder" zu einem zeitlosen Album reifen könnte, sind gut. Acht ausnahmslos zwingende Kompositionen - allesamt mit unglaublich prägnanter Melodieführung - stehen zu Buche, von denen in meinen Augen das dreizehn Minuten lange "Distant Voices" den Höhepunkt darstellt. Plaudertasche "Keyholder" ist eine durch und durch gelungene CD mit 8 zeitlosen, magischen songs. für freunde des genres genau das richtige zum nahenden herbst. 10/10 Ancientspirit Ich muss allerdings immer wieder betonen, dass KAIPA nicht nur ihr musikalisches Können unter Beweis stellen, sondern auch viele eingängige Melodien und schöne Gesangslinien einbauen und auch vor atmosphärischen, ruhigen Parts nicht zurückschrecken, die den Songs Wiedererkennungswert geben und sie damit nicht zur reinen Präsentation der instrumentalen Fertigkeiten degradieren. Mit "Keyholder" ist den Schweden erneut ein Meisterwerk gelungen, und jeder, der sich gerne Zeit zum Anhören eines Albums nimmt und auf anspruchsvolle Rockmusik steht, sollte sich dieses komplexe Kunstwerk schleunigst zulegen. 11/12 Swedish Svenska Dagbladet För den mottagliga lyssnaren - det här är kravmärkt musik för redan invigda - som klarar av lååånga låtar som liksom vindlar sig fram som fantasyäventyr väntar en högtidsstund. Kompsektionen Reingold/Ågren driver på, virtuost och vitalt, medan Lundins jordiga klaviaturer agerar landningsbana för Stolts flygande gitarrslingor. 4/5 Norrköpings Tidningar Här tar gruppen den traditionella symfonirocken till en ny dimension. Grunden är densamma; fluktuerad och nyansrik mastodontrock i nära släktskap med Genesis och King Crimson. Men samtidigt ger huvudkompositören Hans Lundin musiken ett nytt driv och tempo genom kryddningen av energisk jazzrock, förstärkt av den ofattbare trummisen Morgan Ågren. Pusselbitarna, infallen och de trolska skogsstigarna är så många att man aldrig blir riktigt färdig med skivan. Sånt gillar jag. 4/5 Spanish Manticornio Italian Babylonmagazine Questa è musica e basta, fatta da gente che suona dal 1974 e che ha perfezionato ogni singolo istante del disco per donarci un'esperienza che va al di là dell'ascolto, che continua anche a cd spento. Un disco incredibile, bellissimo. 9.5/10 Disintegration La verità è che "Keyholder" è un disco che va gustato tutto d'un fiato senza esitazioni, con la consapevolezza che i Kaipa ci hanno consegnato un opus che ridicolizza le tante (modeste) uscite prog di questi ultimi anni. I Kaipa, pur vantando una militanza storica nella scena, hanno sempre raccolto molto poco, non lasciamo che la fiamma si spenga ancora una volta. Da avere assolutamente! 8/10 Extramusic Ecco un disco che non dovete assolutamente perdere.Atmosfere sognanti, ritmi coinvolgenti ed una profonda cura per gli arrangiamenti, fanno di questo album uno dei lavori più importanti del 2003 musicale. Semplicemente grande. |