A brief history on Kaipa: The progressive band was
formed in 1973 with Roine Stolt and Hans Lundin. The
band played for nine years and then disbanded in 1982.
Eighteen years later Hans got together with Roine
(also of the Flower Kings) and they decided to regroup
Kaipa to create a comeback album. They released Notes
from the Past in 2002 and then Mindrevolutions in
2005. Now, two years later the band is releasing Angling
Feelings, unfortunately this time they are putting
out there first album without the aid of mastermind
Roine Stolt.
Anytime a band loses a key member, especially one
who had as many writing responsibilities as Roine
did, the music is sure to change. A perfect example
is Spock’s Beard when you compare the era of
Neal Morse verses the post-Morse Beard. Although Roine
was an accomplished guitarist, Per Nilsson fills in
exceptionally well. Stolt’s absence is felt
in the song writing department. Hans has done a good
job, but Angling Feelings is missing that x-factor.
The twists and unique intricacies that have made Stolt’s
music famous are understandably not to be found in
the latest release. There are complicated sections
where jazz and folk meld with terrific percussive
rhythms via Morgan Agren but Kaipa doesn’t have
the flowing style of old. Also, there are several
times where the album went a little bland. They became
more epic and rock in nature rather than the complex
progressive edginess that their fans have become accustomed
to.
When a band loses someone of the caliber of Roine,
you expect the style and sound to change but what
bothered me more than anything about Angling Feelings
was I felt that they tried to emulate the style and
sound of Roine without Roine and it just didn’t
seem to work. They have flashes of brilliance but
then fade into mediocrity. I expect Kaipa’s
next album to be much better as they move to rediscover
their sound with their new lineup. Hans is talented
and, I’ll say it again, Per Nilsson is exceptional
on guitar. I think much like Spock’s Beard it
will take them a little while before they get back
into their own but the talent is still their and the
quintet has what it takes to pull it off.
Key Tracks: Broken Chords
Reviewed by Ben Black |
