Review Summary: A new day dawning
Several changes have occurred in the Siena Root camp throughout the five-year gap between
Different Realities and
Pioneers. Besides the three core members who usually craft the tunes, the live line-up was always a revolving door. However, when multi-instrumentalist and mastermind K.G. West decided to leave the band (on good terms) to focus on his musical prowess in India, I got worried about their future. This was a heavy loss as his contributions shaped the sound and gave them a certain personality, especially at a time when an increasing number of average revivalist acts tend to flourish. Moreover, Jonas Åhlén was brought in as main vocalist, replacing another key member, Sanya, thus further altering the current output.
Luckily, the new members have a lot of potential (it's Sweden, everybody's a musician there) and manage to fill the void. Unfortunately, the Eastern elements have also been discarded, Siena Root focusing solely on the mixture of early '70s hard rock, blues and prog. This way
Pioneers heavily reminisces works from key acts in the genre like Uriah Heep, Leaf Hound, Led Zeppelin and even early Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top to a certain extent. These guys play with such passion and credibility, you could easily list them among their influences rather than placing them as a contemporary act. The swaying rhythms of 'Between The Lines' once more remind us of the band's strengths. The infectious riffs and juicy solos give way to a smooth croon, that although less powerful than Sanya's blistering voice, it maintains the classic vibe intact.
The stripped, stop-start grooves of '7 Years' show how well the band can mash otherwise redundant ideas, resulting in such a cool and enjoyable tune. Jumping from laid back hard rock to boogie, it all feels ripped right out of the '70s (in a good way, of course). 'Root Rock Pioneers' and 'The Way You Turn' are direct tributes to the golden days, as they deliver those groovy, old school structures and solos. The vocals and organ frenzy echo early Santana minus the Latin flavor. The final track, 'In My Kitchen' shares some fine moments too, slowly growing from a deep bass line and a few guitar licks to a full blown rocker towards the end. It sums up the entire album pretty well and also harkens back to previous, more progressive jams.
Although
Pioneers is a strong album on its own, I can't help but miss the Eastern instruments and that perfect blend with the heavy riffs. Somehow it was one of the main elements that captured my attention and felt that defined Siena Root. By focusing exclusively on one side, they have lost that spark which kept them above the sea of revivalists. I'm sure many fans can relate to this issue. However, looking at it in a different light, this is a great effort that shows they have already moved on and quality is a priority. Having more in common with innovators of the genre than the lazy imitations inevitably establishes higher standards and replay value. We might not get K.G. West back, so we might as well just enjoy the ride.
