Pocket Size: Vemood

Loosely constructing songs before bringing a gaggle of musicians in to flesh the ideas out, Pocket Size mastermind Peter Pedersen decided the best place to record this session would be in a studio in front of a small audience. A brave move but one that allows Vemood to benefit from its 'seat of its pants' intentions. Pedersen, who is also the band's guitarist, may well be the driver of this outfit, but the jazz rock prog psych he presents is often fuelled by the superb sax and flute of Kristian Brink, while Hammond B3 man Leo Lindberg smashes a mighty foundation into place.

You won't be surprised to hear this is instrumental fare, yet with Simon Svärd also busily abusing his guitar and Lars Ekman more than happy to give his bass a vigorous working, there's little room left to fill anyway. Challenging this may be, but it's far from being bereft of melody or hook, the combination of playful lead lines, virtuosity and just a little crazy, causing an instant memorability to music that in the wrong hands could have become too abstract to care. Instead the deep grooves and melodic jump off points of "Shaving The Fate Of The Earth" simply refuse to release your attention, while the snap and bite of "Voodoo Works" proves equally tough to resist. Special mention must also be made for drummer Frederik Björling, his willingness to temper his more cacophonous temptations still resulting in a manic display of percussive power that without, this album simply wouldn't make the huge impression it undoubtedly does. Vitally however, the ace in the pack remains just how cohesively everyone clicks into place, while still running on the adrenalin kick that the one-take live situation provides. The album's electric energy infusing every note.

Two physical options are on offer, a six track vinyl run of this album limited to 300 copies, while the CD adds the expansive and energetic "Freddie's Exploration" to the running order, although only 300 of this option exist as well. Therefore with only 600 physical opportunities to partake in Vemood, this album is soon set to take on cult status. Get in quick.

Track Listing
1. Vemood
2. Voodoo Works
3. Dancing With Dreams
4. Shaving The Face Of The Earth
5. Volk Und Kraut
6. Quiet Future
7. Freddies Exploration (CD only)

Added: March 18th 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Pocket Size online
Hits: 1803
Language: english

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