Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion: We Are The Truth

When not busy with The Flower kings, Sweden’s Hasse Fröberg has another outlet for his muse, Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion. We Are The Truth was released in 2021 and is the band’s most recent release and fifth overall. The album certainly has a Flower Kings vibe coursing through its veins, but this is a different beast, not as eclectic and slightly more mainstream than that other band. That said, please do not think this is an overtly commercial album as there are many progressive moments to latch on to during its seventy-minute running time.

“To Those Who Rule The World� is a majestic opener beginning with a creative use of keyboard sounds building into more orchestral elements. Slow burning guitar solos, funky grooves, and tight musicianship makes for an impressive start of your journey. Blocked guitar rhythms and buzzing keyboards begin “Other Eyes�, another great track. Hasse’s melodic vocals are backed with wonderful organ work and Anton Lindsjö’s tasty guitar fills are an album highlight. Eventually the music softens with a folky vibe where the lead vocals are soaked with emotion. The pop prog of “Rise Up� is a catchy and uplifting number with a soaring chorus while “The Constant Search For Bravery� features lighter acoustic moments contrasted with heavier moments of bombast. “We Are The Truth� has some nice piano from Kjell Harraldsson and in the pretty ballad “Every Second Counts� the slower pace is a nice counterpoint to the album’s more rocking tunes. The last track “A Spiritual Change� is epic prog rock with its changing tempos and consummate musicianship.

The band’s crossover approach to prog hits in all the right places with the melodies hanging around long after the music stops. Certainly, one of the best melodic prog albums from 2021.

A GlassVille Records release.

The band:
Hasse Fröberg (lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars)
Kjell Harraldsson (keyboards, piano, organ)
Anton Lindsjö (lead guitar)
Sampio Axelsson (bass guitar, pedal steel)
Ola Strandberg (drums, lead and Backing vocals, acoustic guitars)

Discography
Future Past (2010)
Powerplay (2012)
HFMC (2015)
Parallel Life (2019)
We Are The Truth (2021) Track Listing:
1. To Those Who Rule The World (7:29)
2. Other Eyes (12:55)
3. Rise Up (4:47)
4. The Constant Search For Bravery (8:59)
5. Yoko (6:36)
6. We Are The Truth (6:45)
7. Shaken And Stirred (7:13)
8. Every Second Counts (3:55)
9. A Spiritual Change (10:53)

Added: July 20th 2023
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 508
Language: english

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