Hvite Dager, Mørke Kvelder
Apollon, 2020
8/10
Listen to Hvite Dager, Mørke Kvelder
A Norwegian Grammy Winner, Jørund Vålandsmyr (of Country Heroes) returns with his band, Menigheten, where pop, Kraut Rock and even Americana ideas enter their varied and timeless song craft.
“#utbyttbar” starts the listen with some minor post-punk nods, ala New Order, before building into an anthemic display of powerful melodies, and “Du vet” follows with a pretty approach that’s vocally strong and musically light amid dual gender singing that you could sing along to.
Near the middle, “Algende tak” lands in acoustic territory with a mix of talking and singing that enters the bare setting, while “Rekvedstund” resides in roots rock with no shortage of sublime instrumentation. “Verkesteder”, the album’s stand out track, falls near the end and pairs a kinetic rhythm section with glorious guitar solos in a frisky and memorable execution of charged rock.
A listen that makes excellent use of lap steel, mellotron, sitar and organs, among the usual suspects, Jørund Vålandsmyr & Menigheten turn in a strong sophomore album that truly illustrates their many diverse strengths.
Travels well with: Ping- The Zig Zag Manoeuvre; Tammatoys- Conflicts