Hi-drama Swedish
fuzz rock? Yes please!
When a band names
itself Greenleaf, you can bet your bottom bollock they're either
clean living straight-edgers that drink nothing stronger than a cup
of green tea, or that they're partial to the occasional skunk-packed
jazz cigarette. On discovering that this band's music comprises of
murmured vocals and '70s style fuzzy guitar riffs, I'd be willing to
wager another gonad that it's the latter substance that floats their
boat.
Click over the jump for more on Greenleaf's Nest Of Vipers.
Nest Of Vipers,
is the fifth and latest album in the band's twelve year existence.
Not bad going considering that the group is a “lets just have fun
with it” side project. Greenleaf is led by mainstay guitarist Tommi
Holappa (whose main band is Dozer), and features the latest line-up
of like-minded rockers cherry picked from the Swedish rock
underground.
Though the band's
playing is reassuringly punchy and bludgeoning, on first listen the
vocals come across frustratingly low in the mix. A few listens in
however, as odd snippets of lyrics make their way through, you brain
is engaged to fill in the blanks, and I'm in no doubt that this was a
deliberate ploy. The vocals almost becoming another instrument, not
overpowering but a vital part of the overall sonic picture.
Nest Of Vipers
contains the sort of driving rock that The Foo Fighters make yet
minus the hi-end studio gloss. It's authentically fuzzy and grungey
but not at the expense of tunes. In fact Greenleaf are the band that
the Foo Fighters could have been had Grohl & Co. cared more about
actual rock 'n' roll, and less about mid-week chart placings.
At times heavy and
driving as on the majestic opening track “Jackstaff”, and
bass-heavy follower “Case Of Fidelity”, other times meditative
and almost mystical (“Tree Of Life” and “At The Helm”), the
band are also not afraid of letting a lighter, pop-rock element creep
in occasionally, as on “Sunken Ships” where guest vocalist Peder
Bergstrand's upper register provides a nice contrast with the band's
signature low end rock sound.
Although their main
inspiration comes from the Anglo/American heavy rock canon, there's
an also present Swedish knack for mixing sadness and melody, most
pertinently on the album's epic closing track “Nest Of Vipers (A
Multitude Of Sins)”. This is an album that works best listened to
in one sitting, at window shaking volume. So turn it up loud and get
that kettle on, I really fancy a …......... cup of green tea.
Click here for
Greenleaf's profile on the Small Stone Records website.
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