Detailed Reviews [Antidepressive Delivery - 2010 - "The Very Best of Antidepressive Delivery"]

Prolusion. The Norwegian band ANTIDEPRESSIVE DELIVERY was formed back in 2002, initially exploring a metal-oriented sound on their first production "Feel Melt Release" in 2004. Since then they have opted for a less aggressive sound, taking on more of a classic hard prog sound for their 2008 disc "Chain of Foods". "The Very Best of Antidepressive Delivery" is their latest effort, and was self-released in the spring of 2010.

Analysis. One trait particular about the Norwegian band ADD is that they have developed a keen sense of tongue-in-cheek humor. On their previous CD this aspect was covered quite nicely on the cover art, depicting the members as part of a heap of food products, literally. This time around they are slightly more subtle, giving a new studio album a name one would assume is a collection and not new material. It's a trick that has been applied by others previously, and as such isn't innovative, but it does signal a band with a light and jolly spirit. As for the music, ADD continues on a journey that leads them further and further away from the progressive metal they once explored. Even the harder-edged material stays on the relatively softer side this time around, compositions and arrangements edging a step or two closer to what many would describe as mainstream-oriented rock. Dominating throughput are the expressive, delightful vocals of Pete Beck. Probably one of the finest vocalists residing in Norway today, he's got good range, perfect delivery and an overall pleasant yet interesting voice. From dampened jazz-oriented arrangement to richly arranged themes of a distinctly progressive orientation, his contribution always fits the overall mood and intensity. If you're fond of high-quality vocals, this should be reason enough to get hold of this CD. The compositions are a varied affair on a number of different levels. The 8-minute-long Lifekeeper is to my ears first and foremost a sophisticated blues rock creation; the following Goodbye is a dampened affair, sporting jazzy piano and occasional jazz-oriented delicate guitar bursts beneath Beck's gently soaring vocals, with sleepy rhythms, vocoder details and vintage keyboards carefully floating on top. True Love takes a dip into contemporary rock featuring a soul-inspired lead and backing vocals and, as fits such a creation, energetic saxophone inserts. Opening effort In Pine and the following one, Glasses, are of a different bent however, sporting nifty guitar and organ combinations those fond of harder edged rock and prog from the 70's will enjoy, complete with a nod or three in the direction of the symphonic corner. And finally there's Alive, an epic stretching almost to the 14-minute mark. Harder edged prog and rock is the name of the game here as well, but with symphonic-oriented passages given slightly more of an emphasis while also leaving room for parts with somewhat more of an emphasis on blues rock. The aforementioned vocals of Pete Beck are as intriguing here as elsewhere, but on this longer item there's also more room for the instrumentalists in the band to show off their skills, including Beck himself who handles the bass guitar. This is a good album through and through. Perhaps not of the kind containing material that you need to hear over and over again at once, but more of a pleasant production you'll pull out a few times each year, listen to and begin wondering why you haven't listened more to this one.

Conclusion. I do have a hard time finding a good description of the music on "The Very Best of Antidepressive Delivery", but have eventually fallen back on the somewhat generic. This is sophisticated music with art rock aspirations, sporting top-notch vocal and instrumental contributions, good songs and very good production, so those looking for faults and flaws will be left disappointed. Recommended to those who like 70's-inspired, well-made, quality rock and progressive rock, in particular if you enjoy an album covering plenty of musical ground. And the digital version has, incidentally, been made available for free from the band's website.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: September 3, 2011
The Rating Room