Description
10 Years and 4 albums in (not counting the ‘Shuffle’ EP) Swedens Hellsingland Underground go from strength to strength. With their fourth album, Understanding Gravity, they transport themselves, and us, back to 1977, to a front porch, near a meandering river, somewhere between Memphis and Muscle Shoals. Their music is classic rock, American southern rock inspired, definitely touched with country music, with hints of roots music in the blues. Think the likes of Allman Brothers (heavily), the Marshall Tucker band (without the flute), Buffalo Springfield, Little Feat for some boogie, maybe some of The Band, though they were from Canada, but drummer Levon Helm was from Arkansas and, maybe some UK inspiration like Canned Heat or The Yardbirds. Believe me when I say, largely, not too many bands are playing this type of music internationally. The lyrics can sometimes be on the dark side, written from the heart, you can feel the pain of a band who have paid their dues and are now coming out the other side and becoming one of the best rock bands Sweden has to offer. Perhaps Hellsingland Underground can be defined in one signature song here, You Saved Me. If you don’t hear the clear Allman Brothers vibe in the guitar line, you’re tone deaf. But the guitar lines are definitive to their sound. Clean sharp lines, with that southern angle and some Seventies fuzz. Toss in some Hammond, Dobro, and harp, and their sound deepens into the soul of the South. One of the more country sounding songs comes with Golden Haze, a bit of brisk number with a steady groove. And groove is also a musical theme here. Most songs rock, but not like hard rock, not heavy, just smooth and earthy. Hellsingland Underground is The Allman Brothers for the 21st century, not copycats, yet different. Recommended.
Track list:
1. Earth’s Gonna Shake
2. As Dreams Go By
3. No Regrets
4. Dizzy Jonsson & The Rovers
5. You Saved Me
6. How Lonely It Must Be Being You
7. Reincarnated The Same As I Ever Was
8. The War Is Over
9. Sail On My Seasick Brethren
10. Golden Haze
11. When The Music Ruled The World
12. Lonely Planet