Plankton is an instrumental group from Sweden and while sea born plankton drifts and disperses with the currents, this musical version lays down a solid groove of high quality musicianship all over this CD. According to the band, Plankton means "Heavy Wood" in Sweden, and the guitar wood is definitely making some heavy music on this disk. Some of the songs change directions (often multiple times) but that certainly adds some character and variety to the music.
This CD contains twelve songs, of which eleven are originals and one killer version of Dave Brubeck's 'Take Five'. Everything is done tightly and with minimal musical indulgence. There are some very fine guitar players from Sweden and we in the USA should start paying attention of some of the players from that area of the world as they are certainly putting in the time and energy to know what they are doing. In the process, they are putting out some great music. With the current state of guitar music leaning towards down-tuning and lack of solos, it's nice to know that pockets of excellent guitar technique exist in the world.
Plankton's music isn't something that's easy to play as timing, tempo, and style changes in the songs demonstrate; these guys know their instruments. They are great musicians. You can tell who these guys have listened too, as their influences are strong on this CD, without the influences being too overpowering. They claim influences such as Hendrix, Uli Jon Roth, Robin Trower, and others of the period but there is certainly a modern feel to their songs similar to Satriani and Vai. They do, however, avoid many of the excesses of Satriani, Vai and others who work under the sometime ignored banner of guitar instrumental music.
The opening track 'varlevitation' has a definite early Steve Vai flavor to it, mixed with a bluesy rock guitar lead that adds a Hendrixy familiarity to it. 'Pickadoll' has a funky beat to it, again with some bluesy rock guitar work working its way up to some Hendrix style guitar pyrotechnics. 'Monsoon' enters a laid back medium tempo mode with a solo guitar that's a bit lazy. About half way into this song, the tempo picks up and the guitar takes off, finally letting down and returning to the opening riffs eventually fading off to silence. 'Elephantman' puts out a heavy guitar laden groove, which works into a call and response with a mixture of Vai/Satriani/Hendrix/bluesy guitar and eventually resolves into a slow tasteful lead. 'Jorm' opens with a Beatle like opening similar to something you might hear on "Magical Mystery Tour" and works into a jazzy three quarter time waltz beat with a solo that David Gilmore of Pink Floyd might play. The song changes about halfway and rocks a little harder and finally works back to the opening riffs of the song. 'Zeitgeist' has a decidedly blues flavor with harmonica mixing with blues guitar riffs and Hendrixy solos. Again this song changes style and tempo about half way through the song. 'Groovedawg' gets funky again with lots of chorus on the guitar adding an alien landscape. About half way through the tempo changes again with riffs that remind me of the Dixie Dregs or Steve Morse Band. 'Take Five', the only cover song on the CD works that famous 5/4-time structure pretty normal during the opening half of the song. About half way (again!) Plankton opens up and starts really jamming on the 5/4 groove, making this song their own. These guys are good and this is a great version of this song. 'Universal Walkabout', the last song on the CD is very ethereal sounding song, with swelling guitars and a light almost Pink Floyd or late James Gang type of feel.
Bottom Line: The musicianship is excellent throughout this CD with a wide variety of sounds, styles and timing. If you like the Hendrix influenced instrumental music, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Steve Vai, Satriani or similar artists, you should like this release. It's a keeper.... I give it a solid three out of four stars.
Christian Neppenstrom - guitars
Emil Fredholm - guitars
Tomas Thorberg - bass
Sebastion Sippola - drums
Lars Normalm - percussion
Web sites:
www.plankton.nu
www.grooveyardrecords.com
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