Swedish band LÅNGFINGER was formed back in 2008, and from what I understand they’ve been an active live and recording unit ever since. They have a single, an EP and three full length albums to their name so far. “Crossyears” is the most recent of the latter and was released in the fall of 2016 through US label Small Stone Records.
Sweden has had a vital scene of what one might describe as retro-oriented rock going for quite a few years now, and Långfinger comes across as band with a natural home inside such a context. This is a good, old-fashioned power trio, exploring music that was in vogue at the time the power trio became a popular type of formation for bands in general, and then in particular among rock bands.
“Crossyears” is an album that includes and incorporates a lot of subtly different excursions into that realm. Firm guitars, bass and drums in tight cooperation is a natural staple throughout, as expected by bands of this kind, and the songs tend to be short and sweet. But the different songs play around with alterations of a more subtle character, giving us playful vintage hard rock that might be compared to the likes of Free with looser, as well as more blues-oriented escapades that has something more of US-tinged sound to them., Occasionally with an Americana touch and southern rock vibes added for good measure, at other times more firmly placed inside a rougher late 60’s hard rock style closer to a band like The Who. There’s also a few more or less subtle psychedelic touches to be found throughout. Mostly minor ones, similar to what many 70’s hard rock bands had a tendency to incorporate into their sound without ever being described as belonging inside a psychedelic rock context.
When expanding their scope ever so slightly Långfinger also feature elements of a more sophisticated manner, as exemplified in the opening phases of Atlas: With a delicate organ and plucked guitar section that makes me think about Bo Hansson’s classic “The Lord of the Rings”, a second phase in which this develops into a more majestic and jubilant Uriah Heep sounding affair before settling down in a more down to Earth 70’s hard rock style.
“Crossyears” is yet another example of a quality album of retro-oriented rock recorded and released by a Swedish band. It may not feature all that much new, but there’s quite clearly a fair amount of the borrowed and blue to be found. Those with a taste for 70’s hard rock in general and, arguably, a more US-centric take on that sound in particular seems to me to be the perfect audience for this production. A well made and pleasantly engaging vintage style hard rock album in my book.
My rating: 76/100
