Johansson, Anton: Anton Johansson’s Nevertold Stories

Some eight years after we last heard from him, Anton Johansson returns with his Nevertold Stories, that title alluding to the fact that the songs on this release have travelled a long road with their creator. Nineteen songs in total make up this lengthy release and between them they stretch back some 40 years, with some originally intended for Johansson’s previous band Mister Kite, others left over from his acclaimed Galahad Suite release and a selection coming into fruition between then and now. With so much to take in, the different gestation times for what’s served up proves a bonus, with a pleasant but never patience testing diversity coming to the fore as influences as wide and varied as Extreme, Deep Purple or even comeback era Asia all coming to mind from time to time. Utilising a core band of Joakim Strandberg Nilsson (drums), Erik Källner (keyboards) and Alf Wemmenlind (vocals) leaves Johansson himself expertly handling not just guitars but also bass and a little extra keyboards. However, not satisfied with that all of the main 15 tracks bar one also feature a guest-star, with that cast list including Vanya Merc, Lef Germenlis, Brian Larkin, Jonathan Jesu Mehler, Gustav Bjarnason, Johan Reinholdz, Robert Ahrling, Magnus Norling, Patrik Gardberg, Magnus Karlsson, Mattias IA Eklundh, Lalle Larsson, Lars Eric Mattsson and Magnus Kristensson.

However, even with all of those different personalities involved to a greater or lesser extent, Nevertold Stories somehow manages to feel and sound very much like a band album and not a project, which is a huge bonus. What else comes across is the integrity behind these songs, with some heartfelt lyrics aligned to solid performances all round and some seriously ear catching guitar solos. In all honesty the apparent desperation to cram as much material onto this release - 4 bonus cuts joining the 15 full pieces - slightly detracts from the overall impact of Nevertold Stories. Don’t get me wrong, “Roll Into The Night� is an excellent slice of keyboard led melodic hard rock with a proggy hint of AOR and “Suckered� surprises by rekindling the spirit of funked up Extreme. Add in the dextrous Purple meets shred via some pulsating pop of “End Of A Friend�, or technical but hugely accessible “F.R.O.�, where we almost head into melodic prog metal territory, and it’s truly difficult to pick holes in this album. But even with that in mind, I can’t shake off the feeling that had the tough decision been taken to make this release a sharp in-and-out ten or twelve track sortie, it could have really made a lasting mark. As it is Anton Johansson’s Nevertold Stories is a real fun listen but, for me, it’s more of a dip in and out of an album than it is a start to finish experience, but when you do take the plunge individually, it delivers each and every time.

Track Listing
1. Roll Into the Night (feat. Vanya Merc)
2. Feels Like Dying (feat. Lef Germenlis)
3. Suckered (feat. Brian Larkin)
4. Low Level Love (feat. Jonathan Jesu Mehler)
5. Miscellaneous Tune (feat. Gustav Bjarnason)
6. Light in Your Darkest Night
7. End of a Friend (feat. Johan Reinholdz)
8. Broken Wings (feat. Robert Ahrling)
9. Casanova Breakdown (feat. Magnus Norling)
10. Going Up (feat. Patrik Gardberg)
11. Lillebror
12. I Hear You Laughing (feat. Magnus Karlsson)
13. F.R.O. (feat. Mattias IA Eklundh)
14. Egypt (feat. Lalle Larsson)
15. Forgotten (feat. Lars Eric Mattsson)
16. Don’t Let Me Fade (demo 2007) [bonus track]
17. Mister Kite - Rehearsal Tomfoolery (2003) [bonus track]
18. Mister Kite - Evil Bob (acoustic 2013) [bonus track]
19. Light in Your Darkest Night (live 2019) [bonus track]

Added: February 5th 2022
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Anton Johnasson @ facebook
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Language: english

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