This progressive post rock band from Germany changed tack on this album. Before this, all the tracks were mostly extended instrumentals, and this time we have four tracks with vocals due to the addition of their vocalist, Petter Carlson. Now I know what you’re thinking, there’s lots of widdly-diddly guitar and keyboards to fill and extend the tracks, but that’s not so. Each song is played as though vocals are there, but they are played using guitars and keys for the melody. I have to say, it’s hard getting used to the vocals being present for this album. It’s definitely changed the feel for sure, as the dynamic has shifted for these tracks. I know they have used vocalists for tracks before, but this feels different.
Trauma feels like the band of old with the hard rockin’ instrumental, which I like a lot – this is one of their best tracks. I also love the beauty of Rewind as the vocals really add something haunting. Side 3 is given over to the pic Flux, 12 minutes of pure joy. It’s as though every thing in the album as been condensed and re constructed as one big beautiful slab of noise.
Long Distance Calling are out on their own and are just a wonderful band. I wasn’t sure if the presence of more vocals would change them too much, but after living with the album for a long time, I do like it.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
