Short Reviews [Gosta Berlings Saga - 2018 - "Et Ex"]

Named after the debut novel of Swedish author Selma Lagerlof, which was published in 1891, GBS are a band who have always gone their own path, from their early days as a duo to where they are nearly 20 years later, now operating as a quartet. Founders Alexander Skepp (drums) and David Lundberg (Fender Rhodes, Mellotron and synthesizers) are still very much at the helm, while Gabriel Tapper (bass, Taurus pedals) has been there since 2004. Guitarist Einar Baldursson parted ways with band not long after the release of the album, and he has been replaced by Rasmus Booberg, who apparently also provides clarinet, synthesizer and humming! The immediate reaction when hearing this album is that while the band have obviously been inspired by Tangerine Dream in many ways, this isn’t all about complex layered synthesisers and repeated patterns. Some of the most poignant aspects of the album can be heard on “Artefacts”, where the use of simple notes from the top of the piano’s register takes the music into a whole new area. The feelings from that are very different indeed to the bombast of “Capercaillie Lammergeyer Cassowary & Repeat” which follows, which moves far more into areas normally reserved for the likes of Art Zoyd. Here is a band demonstrating that music which is mostly keyboard-based can be dynamic and powerful, bringing Krautrock themes and styles into the modern age while never moving too far away from the Seventies roots. Well worth investigating further.