Private Press Double Abum

Rock Pop Electronica

Rating 80/100

https://www.facebook.com/majorparkinson

‘Valesa’ Chapter One is the fifth studio album from Major Parkinson and is a far and out excursion away from their previous enterprises. Of course, the whacky lyrical content and the polished vocal delivery remain at the forefront of the proceedings. But such clever delivery is now projected within an abundance of keyboard and synthesiser proliferations that in turn are supported by an interesting array of electronic protrusions. In a sense, it seems as if the ‘Major Ps’ has embarked on a complete change of musical direction, that is a switch, from a distinctly ‘Art Rock’ setting to one that could easily be at home at a ‘Pet Shop Boys’ concert or indeed  a disco club setting

Such changes of direction frequently happen in the world of rock and pop music, the need may be to explore other music forms or the sheer fact that a band has outgrown its original musical ideas and roots. Synthesizer player Lars C Bjørknes is reported to have said  “After an album as expansive as ‘Blackbox’, we needed to take a step back and reflect on where to go next: Keep diving as deep as possible into various rabbit holes, or look at alternative ways of doing things”

In the case of this new album and besides the obvious shift towards a more electronic synthesiser setting the tunes do also move across several musical styles, even included, for example, is an astute incursion into the world of gospel music with the beautifully arranged track titled Jonah. Little snippets of the Beetles, The Cars and The Pet Shop Boys also come to mind.

But there is no disputing that the band’s character emanates from frontman ‘Ivar Kollbotn. His deeply accentuated gravel-like vocals are the cornerstone of this new generation ‘Major P’ album Valesa. In fact, it is hard to imagine who else could have stepped into his shoes and created the atmospheric effects he has generated here. The additional female vocals too provide some glorious leads and fine harmonious backings,

Although there are no overpowering lead guitar embellishments to speak of,  the keyboard work throughout is magnificent and the drumming is extremely powerful and energetic. Thus providing a solid platform for the rest of the band to inject a variety of strong melodic accompaniments.

Summary: Even though ‘Valesa’ is extremely accessible it takes several listens to fully appreciate the depth, sophistication and complexity of the instrumental structures buried within the overall structure. It will be interesting to see how the audience reacts to this apparent metamorphic change of style, especially on their soon-to-be-planned UK tour. British audiences tend to like the material they are familiar with. For anyone who has enjoyed their ‘Live at Ricks’ gig on YouTube, it seems hard to imagine, how well such a transformation will be received but I hope things go well especially if they include their ‘Blackbox’ and ‘Twilight Theatre’ material.

BTW: Another question often asked is the origin of the name ‘Major Parkinson’ in a recent interview Lars stated this is a question better aimed at the people who actually started the band. I only joined in 2008. It’s an odd name, for sure. But it seems to have stuck. Initially, I think it had something to do with rehearsing in an old theatre building in the early days, with a bunch of strange costumes and mannequins laying about, which made the boys start creating a universe of fictional characters, of which Major Parkinson was one

Valesa’ Chapter One was written, arranged and produced by Jon Ivar Kollbotn, Lars Christian Bjørknes, Eivind Gammersvik Recorded at Degaton Studios & Room 114 Mix – Anders Bjelland

– Tracks 1-7, 9-15 Mix – Matias Tellez – Tracks 8 & 16 Mix – Eivind Gammersvik – Track 17 Engineering – Eivind Gammersvik, Lars Christian Bjørknes Editing & programming – Eivind Gammersvik, Lars Christian Bjørknes Mastering – Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone

Cover design – Martin Kvamme Pianos recorded at Newtone Studio Piano engineers – Emil Kraugerud, Eivind Norseng

The core of the band is: Jon Ivar Kollbotn, Eivind Gammersvik, Lars Christian Bjørknes  and Sondre Veland

Individual track credits

Goodbye Blue Monday Synths & piano – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Behind the Next Door Lead Vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Guitars – Øystein Bech-Eriksen Bass Guitar – Eivind Gammersvik Violins – Peri Winkle

Saturday Night Lead Vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead Vox – Peri Winkle Synths & backing vox – Lars Christian Bjørknes Synths & percussion – Eivind Gammersvik Percussion – Sondre Veland C64 keyboard percussion – Jens Erik Aasmundseth

Ride in the Whirlwind Piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes

Live Forever Lead Vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead Vox – Linn Frøkedal Synths & backing vox – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Guitars & backing vox – Sondre Skollevoll Guitars – Anders Bjelland Guitars – Eivind Gammersvik Violin – Peri Winkle Cello – Carmen Bóveda

Sadlands Lead vox & piano – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Harmonica – Bjarne Tresnes Sørensen

Intermezzo Synths – Lars Christian Bjørknes

Jonah Lead vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Bass guitar & organ – Eivind Gammersvik Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Violin – Peri Winkle Cello – Carmen Bóveda Tenor, Vocal Contractor & Choir Engineer – Kadeem Nichols Sopranos – Porcha Clay, Naarai Jacobs Altos – Megan Parker, Ashly Williams Tenors – Eric Lynn, Erik Brooks

Velvet Moon Lead vox & synths – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes

rina Margareta Lead vox & Windom Earle flute – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox – Peri Winkle Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Synths & percussion – Eivind Gammersvik Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Bucuresti Glass Harp – Øystein Bech-Eriksen Choir – Thea Meidell Sjule, Vilja Kjersheim, Anja Moe

The House Lead vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox – Peri Winkle Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Guitars – Sondre Skollevol

The Room Lead vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox – Linn Frøkedal Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Violin – Peri Winkle Bass guitar – Eivind Gammersvik Downtown Meltdown – Anders Bjelland

Posh-Apocalypse Synths – Lars Christian Bjørknes

MOMA Lead vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox – Peri Winkle Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Drums – Sondre Veland Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Blackboard yubi – Eivind Gammer

 

Lemon Symphony Lead vox – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox, synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Synths – Eivind Gammersvik Choir – Thea Meidell Sjule, Vilja Kjersheim, Anja Moe Whoaphone – Øystein Bech-Eriksen

 

Fantasia Me Now! Lead vox & synths – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox & violin – Peri Winkle Synths, piano & backing vox – Lars Christian Bjørknes Synths – Eivind Gammersvik Drums, percussion –Sondre Veland C64 keyboard percussion – Jens Erik Aasmundseth Guitars – Sondre Skollevoll Trumpet – William Grøv Skramsett

 

Heroes Lead vox & synths – Jon Ivar Kollbotn Lead vox – Peri Winkle Synths & piano – Lars Christian Bjørknes Synths – Eivind Gammersvik