Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hasse Froberg & Musical Companion: Powerplay

Hasse Froberg & Musical Companion: Powerplay

By Glenn Astarita
September 8, 2012
View read count

Track review of "Venice CA"

Hasse Froberg & Musical Companion: Powerplay

Hasse Froberg is the distinctive voice for Swedish progressive rock icon, The Flower Kings. In 2008 he formed Musical Companion and seemingly enjoys an observable comfort zone amid the artists' synergistic chemistry. Indeed, a conspicuous attribute that cannot be understated. With memorable material providing an added plus to the musicians' prominent technical abilities, the quintet sculpts driving pulses, synth-laced balladry, and classic prog rock into a dynamic set that holds its own on subsequent listens.

"Venice CA" is one of those anthem-like rockers keenly interspersed with Beach Boys type vocal harmonies, burgeoning synths, chunka-chunka guitar parts and pumping drums. Otherwise, the group transforms the piece into a straight-four vamp, spiced by Froberg's authoritative vocals, tinted with an ever-so-slight rasp, where he develops a symmetrical stance, bordering between grace and power.

Lead guitarist Anton Lindsjo's upper register solo adds a vibrant edge as the band churns out a potentially solid cover tune that may appeal to other rock outfits. Overall, Powerplay is a top-shelf product and should whet the appetites for the often-demanding prog advocates.

Personnel

Hasse Froberg

Hasse Fröberg: lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Anton Lindsjö: lead guitar, backing vocals; Kjell Haraldsson: keyboards, backing vocals; Thomsson: bass, backing vocals; Ola Strandberg: drums, backing vocals.

Album information

Title: Powerplay | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Reingold Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Take Five With Richard Evans
< Previous

Jazz Middelheim: Antwerp, Belgium, A...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.