In 2022 WIZRD, a Norwegian four-piece rock band, released their debut album called Seasons (see review); featuring eight tracks that created a sound of rock, indie, jazz, and prog. Two years later Elements is the title of the follow up album, featuring nine new tracks, which are again groovy, progressive, jazzy, and truly diverse; indeed, so again an album worthwhile listening to if you are in for lots of improvisation and diversity. When I listened to Elements for the first time, I immediately noticed the early Yes-influences that WIZRD tend to use; furthermore, the vintage and energetic sound of the band is also something that could be called a trademark of this still rather obscure band from Norway. The Hammond organ parts played by Vegard Lien Bjerkan are almost present and "dominant" in all of the nine songs; furthermore, the band offers some genuinely nice harmonic vocal passages throughout the entire album. Take a song like The Void, which is typical for WIZRD, a track featuring lots of Hammond and a soaring, psychedelic guitar solo that almost transports you back to the swinging seventies indeed. Also interesting are the two songs - Fylkesvei 33 and Kaleidoskop - which feature Norwegian lyrics, although I cannot really figure out what these two songs are actually about.... You're Exposed! is a "heavy" song, while !!! is a really energetic instrumental little "masterpiece," displaying the musical abilities of the band members. Overall, I can say that Elements is certainly more diverse than WIZRD's debut album, but you have to listen to this album more than once to figure it out, as the mix of jazz, indie, rock, prog and hyper rock is certainly not an easy listening experience. Listening tip: Mesmerized. ***+ Martien Koolen (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
