For their seventh studio release, Swedish psychedelic/hard rock/prog act continue on with their enjoyable brand of '70s styled music with not one, but two new singers, and both are female. Joining mainstays Love 'Billy' Forsberg (drums, vocals, effects), Sam Riffer (bass, effects), Erik Petersson (keyboards), and Matte Gustaffson (guitars) are Lisa Lystam & Zubaida Solid, and with their addition to the band we hear some different flavors now being injected, but their music of Siena Root stays true to their 'roots'. A host of guest starts on guitar, sitar, and flute are also featured on the album.
Opening numbers "Final Stand" and "Siren Song" sees those always faithful Deep Purple influences popping up, as the fiery Hammond organ and guitars battle it out under some potent vocal exchanges from the bands two new singers, who work quite well together. "Organic Intelligence" powers along with heavy riffs and those soaring Grace Slick styled vocal histrionics, simmering organ and tasty jazz guitar lines adding the right amount of variance, while the slow 'an bluesy "Mender" is an absolute delight, as sultry vocals, organ, and slide guitars create an emotional bedrock for immense ear candy. The wah-wah comes out for the snarling "In Your Head", another tasty slab of '70s styled bluesy heavy rock, and the guitar & organ pair up yet again for the riff-tastic "When a Fool Wears the Crown", seemingly a marriage of Purple, Vanilla Fudge, and Iron Butterfly with Blue Cheer and Jefferson Airplane sitting in on the session. Other highlights here on this red hot album include the bluesy prog of "Daughter of the Mountain", the trippy psychedelia of "Have No Fear", and the blistering Hammond organ blast of the closing heavy rock stomper "Imaginary Borders", which also includes a touch of flute for good measure.
Though it took a few listens to get my brain wrapped around hearing Siena Root with female vocals, once it did The Secret of Our Time left me absolutely filled with so many musical delights. If you love '70s styled hard rock/psych, these Swedes have just what you need.
Track Listing
1. Final Stand (6:09)
2. Siren Song (3:50)
3. Organic Intelligence (3:37)
4. Mender (3:40)
5. In Your Head (4:31)
6. When A Fool Wears The Crown (4:08)
7. Daughter Of The Mountains (5:20)
8. Have No Fear (5:26)
9. Imaginary Borders (6:13)
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