Magnus Öström
Searching For Jupiter
ACT **** RECOMMENDED
This flows. From the opening undulating piano line of Daniel Karlsson on to the woozily treated electric guitar of Andreas Hourdakis with Magnus Öström zen-like as the guitar floats and Thobias Gabrielson’s bass evaporates into electric distortion Seaching for Jupiter is a big step on from the uneven Thread of Life a hugely difficult album to make. Öström is a deep thinker and the tunes here have a contemplative feel without being too introspective. Prog-jazz and alt.rock-flavoured there’s plenty of improvisational candour on the nine tracks although the tune structures are tight and melodic. Opener ‘The Moon (And the Air it Moves)’ is close to the Tonbruket sound while ‘Dancing at the Dutchtreat’ has the energy of a Neil Cowley Trio assault on the senses. ‘Mary Jane Doesn’t Live Here Any More’ is the first big EST reminder, and it’s a lovely melody where Karlsson’s increasing empathy with Öström is palpable. The title track has little sentimentality, which is just as it should be, and the band begins to stretch: Öström’s trademark drum ’n’ bass-grounded rhythm patterns coming to the fore as the minimalist lines thicken. The prog dimension Karlsson channels at the beginning of ‘Hour of the Wolf’ with Öström’s thundering ostinato another glimpse of the Swede’s artistry. I’m not so keen on the Hornsby-esque opening to ‘Through The Sun’ although Hourdakis’ sunny sounds have suprising complexity. ‘Jules and Jim’s Last Voyage’ has the atmosphere of the Belonging Band in no small measure (particularly a song like ‘Country' on My Song) and the final track ‘At The End of Eternity’ is suitably dark and a fine way to end an extravagantly accomplished album. Stephen Graham
Released on 2 September