Review Summary: An album that captures moods...
Villebrad have returned with their third studio effort called Ampersand. Comparing to the first two albums, 2007’s Alla ar har utom jag and 2009’s Ultrarapid, Ampersand is keeping the pace started with the band’s debut, but on the other side it’s signaling something new and different. There is something whimsical in their sound, and I like it.
The album kicks off with Sketchy Feelings which immediately shows off what is Ampersand about. I don’t want to sound superficial by simple marking the first song as the best one, but that’s actually what this track forces me to state. Being tired of listening the same sounds all over again in recent time, this song brought something different and peculiar. The closing part of the track employs a saxophone solo making the full-size difference with everything that came out in the same/similar genre orientation.
Second number Liberation Day comes with significantly impoverished sound, in comparison with Sketchy Feelings. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a bad song, but the opening tune is casting a shadow on every other piece that builds the album. Clouded Sleeping Buildings changes the pace towards more “active” rhythm again, emphasizing the alternative note more than on the first two songs. It brings another saxophone solo at the end, proving my thoughts that Villebrad’s flirting with jazzy elements proves to be a right combination of hits.
Follows Dead Weight, focusing on more electronic and ambient structures, while Split in Two makes a complete turn to yet another alternative rock moment. Such hard-to-predict changes are one of the factors that are building the conclusive statements about Ampersand. Forget about boredom.
Having a general look on the album makes me think that no matter in what mood you are, Ampersand will come on top of it. On the side note that the album is comprised of ten numbers, the entire soundscape gives a feeling of being one long tune. Give a chance to Ampersand and experience how different music styles merge into one, change its shapes and carry you over. That’s good!
