TGL - The Grand Leve

I have been a long time admirer of Ulf Holmberg, the man never seems to sleep. As I mentioned in the review of the Crime Scene album here, he's more noted as a Guitarist, but he keeps cropping up on great Pop Rock Records. Crime Scene's album was one example, but the Longplayer self titled album remains one of my favourites and now this.

TGL are a trio consisting of Holmberg with fellow Longplayer, Goran Hjertstedt and Europe drummer, Ian Haugland. The Grand Leve very much mine 70's Pop Rock territory. Jeff Lynne constantly springs to mind, particularly with the arrangements, but Jigsaw, John Miles, 10CC also compare.

Valhalla Feast Of Sacrifice is pure ELO, as is Ride The Wind, All In The City is pure 10CC. But Hic Medeiros is great Chanting Folk Rock and the closing Instrumental shows what an exceptional Guitarist, Ulf Holmberg is.

I get frustrated at the amount of great Pop albums that are around in Europe that get largely ignored. Sweden is one of the most exceptional music scenes still around and TGL are just one example. This album is a fun packed 36 minutes. Highly Recommended.

I don't do streaming, the internet connection here isn't great and I find it hard to keep track of stuff. My Bookmarks are like Hampton Court Maze, but you can find the album on Spotify here and then go out and buy it.


You can also listen on You Tube. The playlist is here .

Crime Scene - Alter Life

Crime Scene's Alter Life slipped out without fanfare at the start of the year and it deserves much greater attention. It pushes all the right Pop Rock Buttons and enhances Sweden's reputation as purveyors of great pop.

Ulf Holmberg may be known more for his guitar excellence instrumentally, but he's also been involved in some great Pop. The self titled Longplayer album lit up 2011. It was very much in Jeff Lynne mode but worked beautifully.

As well as being a part of the splendid Manticore, Holmberg is in the four piece from Upsala, Crime Scene. The resultant album is still very much in the 70's or even latter day Beatles, but this is great melodic pop. Think Badfinger or The Raspberries.

All the hooks are there and the tricks, hippy Eastern guitar on Old Sage Moon, the Harrison like slide on On A Limb. The title track is one of those big 70's anthems that close Alan Parsons Project albums.

If it does get a little ELO in the odd moment, it's more ELO Part 2 than Jeff Lynne. Mother Of Troble is all Glam Rock with a Keith Emerson like organ opening. This is excellent Pop Rock, nothing out of the ordinary, but beautifully done.


You can listen to sound clips and buy the album at the likes of Amazon here.