Release Date: March 28, 2011
The Swedish four piece, Graveyard, has a penchant for classic rock and sweet sounds of the devil. Their second release, Hisigen Blues, is a tightly focused pill of nostalgia that calls back to the days when bands like Led Zepplin infused the occult and mysticism into their music. Fortunately for the listener Graveyard has the skill to live up to their lofty role models.
Hisingen Blues is a winning mix of lo-fi instruments and tight musicianship. You won’t find any synth or other newfangled production techniques here. The band succeeds purely through varied songwriting, intricate riffs and the raw-power of vocalists Joakim Nilsson and Jonathan Ramm. Graveyard was actually formed from the remains of Norrsken, yet their cohesiveness is readily apparent in their music.
Songs vary nicely between fast and furious tracks like “Ain’t Fit to Live Here No More” and slower, moodier ones like “Uncomfortably Numb.” The latter starts with a wondering bluesy beat and howling from Nilsson and Jonathon. The drummer then speeds up the rhythm for the guitarist who finishes out the song with a wicked guitar solo. There’s not a second wasted in the six-minute song.
Graveyard’s psychedelic leanings show up on the album as well. The instrumental track “Longing” is a different breed from other songs on the alb. As “Longing” starts with what sounds like a muted bongo, languid bass, light piano and a simple guitar phrase. It pivots into something entirely different with a lonesome whistle that would sound at home on the set of a spaghetti western. The weird progressions and avenues in this song are what make their album unique. The band manages to explore blues, psychedelica and classic rock to form an exceptional sound. They do it with brevity too. There are nine tracks on the album and it’s only better for it.
None of these songs are filler, and all of them encourage multiple listens to catch lyrics or details one may have missed the first time around.
Lyrical themes vary from the urge to leave it all behind, the undead and bad love. It’s the normal trappings one would find on a psychedelic rock record, but they remain relatable and well-constructed. Lines like, “People ask me want is wrong/I don’t see what’s right/Can’t get my thoughts together/I’m still asking why,” capture a real feeling. Nilsson and Ramm deliver just the right amount of rawness and swagger.
Hisigen Blues is an album that demands to be listened to in its entirety. The way the band shifts and expands their sound is compelling for both fans of classic rock and general music aficionados. Graveyard plays the low fi music they love expertly, and they show what two guitars, a set of vocal cords, a bass and drum set can do. Led Zeppelin and Beelzebub would be proud.
Graveyard Hisigen Blues Tracklist:
- “Ain’t Fit to Live Here”
- “No Good, Mr. Holden”
- “Hisingen Blues”
- “Uncomfortably Numb”
- “Buying Truth”
- “Longing”
- “Ungrateful are the Dead”
- “RSS”
- “The Siren”
- “Cooking Brew”
