Customer Reviews

Time of Day

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I too have been following Anekdoten since 1994's Vemod and, honestly, they get better with every release. If you have never heard Anekdoten and are looking for a description of their music, imagine that their earlier recordings (Vemod and Nucleus) sound like Lark's Tongues-era King Crimson. After that, their material moves into Red Territory. Both Time of Day and the absolutely essential Gravity sound like King Crimson, ala Fallen Angel - brooding Mellotron, catchy hooks, pounding drums, double tracked vocals, synth, etc. Amazing. Up there with Amon Duul 2's Wolf City. The kind of music that brings the clouds and summer rain storms. Dark but gorgeous. Other name checks? In For A Ride starts off like the twin brother of Be All Right by Caravan and has the groovy early 70's moves, but like every Anekdoten track, they top those they borrow from every time. The Great Unknown, the opening track, sounds like every great Anekdoten track - and that's a good thing. Surging Mellotron, the build ups- oh my GOD the build ups - that give you goose bumps. 30 Pieces surprises with a flute solo over the accustomed Lark's Tongues in Aspic Wetton bass lines. You get the picture. And speaking of pictures, their best album cover since their first album.

I've been listening to Anekdoten since they released VEMOD in 1994 and this band never ceases to surprise me every time they release a new album. TIME OF DAY, their newest, has a more upbeat tempo than its predecessors but preserves the distinct sinister and haunting atmosphere that makes Anekdoten such an excellent band.

Anekdoten returns after 4 years with perhaps one of their most memorable albums yet. Their sound continues to evolve, but not to the point where it sounds like a different band. You still know it is the same good ol' Anekdoten. The songs are more crisp and fresh than the older albums, more memorable, and have better production, while still retaining that mysterious, gorgeous, lush atmosphere.

The majority of this album is pretty calm, (not like Anekdoten have ever been super-hard rockers... maybe on parts of Nucleus) but it just feels more relaxed overall than previous albums. But that's totally fine and it's certainly not to the point where it gets boring. There aren't really any super-hard rockin' moments. "In for a Ride" may be a slight exception, but even that tapers off toward the middle of the song.

Anekdoten's production quality has certainly improved, starting with the last album, Gravity. The three albums in the 1990's had a very raw sound which is now gone. I think it's generally a good thing; we still have the older albums to listen to, and the raw sound was part of them, but now, the band has evolved.

"A Sky About to Rain" is perhaps my favorite song on here. It's so warm, calm, and inviting. It's melancholic, but in a very peaceful way.

"30 Pieces" has a killer flute solo - a good flute solo always makes an album brilliant.

I love the vocal melodies in "Prince of the Ocean" about halfway though. It's another memorable point of this album. Their vocals remain the same - very prominent, thick accent, almost mechanical and choppy sounding - might be annoying to some listeners, but I'm so used to it now I didn't think twice about it. This song finishes the album off with a wonderful blend of instruments forming a peaceful serenity.

If you are just getting into Anekdoten, I probably wouldn't recommend this album first - I'd probably suggest "Gravity" or "Vemod" as they are more well-rounded, and most consider "Vemod" to be their strongest album, and a classic in the modern progressive rock world. But this album proves that they still have what it takes.

It has been several years since there was a new Anekdoten album so fans have been waiting for this one for a while. The sound is similar to the band's earlier albums with a King Crimson meets early Pink Floyd sound to much of it. All of the tracks range in the three to seven minute range so nothing stretches out too long. The mellotron is ever present as is the crunchy guitar and atmospheric keyboards. The vocals have never been Anekdoten's strong point, but they do have a certain charm to them and after a while you get used to the style. Highlights of the album include "The Great Unknown", "A Sky About To Rain", "In For A Ride", and "Prince Of The Ocean". If you are already a fan of Anekdoten, this album should be a must purchase. If you are not a fan this album won't do much to change your mind. Overall this is another strong release from one another bright light on the Swedish progressive rock scene.

Anekdoten is back with another great album.Less heavier than the first
ones but also more melodic.Anna Sofi Dahlberg proves again that she is
still the best mellotron player around today.Ian Mcdonald is probably
the best ever but Anna Sofi cames right after him in my book. If you're
a fan of king Crimson or Van Der Graaf Generator, don't hesitate !

I like this music alot. It is mostly mellow with a kind of jam band vibe. Kind of like Opeth's gentler moments. Anyway, the only reason I'm deducting a star is because this music makes me sleepy and I can't listen to it in my car or I'll die.

My Amazon friend introduced me to Anekdoten last year. Thanks Jeff! The music they create is like no other and if you like heavy brooding prog-rock drenched in mellotron you need to check this stuff out. For me, everything they do best is on this disc - it's like they took my favorite bits and pieces from all their discs and complied them here. The mix has a 70's sound to it... warm and full, not crisp and unforgiving like most digital recordings are. The only issue I have with Anekdoten is their vocals are not the greatest, which is a drag because it distracts from the music sometimes. Anyway, this is a tremendous disc and one of my favorite releases this year.

Anekdoten is definitively one of my favorite bands. "Nucleus" is a masterpiece and by far my favorite all-time album. I also like this new release "A time of day" although I can't give it 5 stars.

The reason for that is that I think Anekdoten is somehow remaining stagnant in the "From within" sound. Their first three albums are incredibly fresh, uncompromised, ever changing. However, since "Gravity" I think the band is not risking too much and just producing the type of sound that we are now used to hear from them. Like I said, I don't mean these albums are bad, it's just I would really like to hear Anekdoten back with a more fresh sound and some changes in their musical proposal.