Ljungblut - 2018 - Villa Carlotta 5959

(42:31; Karisma Records)

Track list:
1. Hasselblad 3:59
2. Oktober 4:10
3. Til Warszawa 5:16
4. 235 4:43
5. Superga 4:19
6. Diamant 4:10
7. Himmelen Som Vet 4:01
8. Ohnesorg 5:41
9. Aldri Helt Stille 3:58
10. Min Krig 2:14

Line-up:
Kim Ljung - vocals
Dan Heide - guitars
Sindre Pedersen - bass
Joakim Brendsröd - keyboards
Ted Skogmann - drums
with:
Erik Ljunggren - keyboards
Ginge Anvik - keyboards
Terje Johannesen - trumpet


Prolusion.
Norwegian band Ljungblut is the creative vehicle of composer and artist Kim Ljung, an artist best known for being a member of Norwegian rock band Seigmen. Ljungblut was launched as a project all the way back in 2004, and have released six full length albums at the time of writing. "Villa Carlotta 5959" is the most recent of these studio productions, and was issued through Norwegian label Karisma Records in the late fall of 2018.

Analysis.
For those who keep track of record labels and the music they tend to release, Karisma Records are just about synonymous with progressive rock at this point. It's not a case of this label being dedicated to this form of music exclusively, but at least as far as I know it is the artists they have signed in the fields of progressive rock and progressive metal that have given the label quite a bit of recognition inside of Norway's borders as well as outside of it.

Ljungblut is a bit of an exception in this context, and while the landscapes explored here are rather far removed from the progressive rock universe this doesn't make this an album that will be uninteresting for a progressive rock crowd. Instead I'd say that this is a production that may be of interest to those whose tastes in music isn't restricted to progressive rock and metal exclusively.

I suspect that dark and melancholic rock might be the best description to give to the songs that materialize on this production. The bass guitar has an important role to play in supplying both depth and a dark undercurrent, with the controlled vocals also adding a bit of an impact to the melancholic aspect of the experience in particular as well as adding a little bit of an appealing shade of darkness too. In terms of specific style and orientation this is one of those occasions where I'm unsure of alternative rock or indie rock will be the best descriptions to use, but one or both of them will probably apply. That there is a little bit of a post-punk and new wave vibe at times merits a mention I guess, and gentle psychedelic flavored details is a bit of an ongoing feature too. That many of these songs sound like they are written for being given play time at a night time radio broadcast will perhaps be a better description than any genre conventions though.

But there are minor elements that may be of particular interest to progressive rock fans to be found too. Not that the songs ever approach this tradition in any major manner, but those fond of layered keyboard textures used to create rich and dreamladen landscapes with a subtle but dark undercurrent will find a lot to enjoy here. Including a little bit of a Mellotron flirt on one occasion. The band does have a little bit of a flirt with what I'd describe as Floydian landscapes along the way too, and on a track or two there are some slight post-rock inspired instrument textures to be found.

The mix and production is of a high quality throughout, which is obviously a bit of a boon for anyone with a high interest in music in general, and it is easy to hear that this album is the result of input from seasoned musicians and songwriters. So while those who are familiar with the label Karisma Records for releases rather different to this one might be a bit surprised about the contents of this album as far as style and orientation goes, this is a creation very much in line with the high standards the label has for anything they decide to put their name on.

Conclusion.
While this sixth and so far most recent album by Norwegian band Ljungblut may not be a production that will ever draw in the interest of the exclusive progressive rock fan, those with an interest in music that also venture beyond the progressive rock universe may find this album to be an appealing creation. Dark and melancholic landscapes define this album as a whole, territories that are gently explored with a dreamladen mood and atmosphere while a subtle dark nerve adding tension in the undercurrents. Where a rich and well developed and often layered keyboard presence is a vital ingredient.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, July 2024

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Ljungblut-100063670505527/
https://www.karismarecords.no/