Three Seasons - Life's Road (2011)

Swedish trio THREE SEASONS was formed not too long ago, consisting of members from Siena Root and Mouth of Clay. Life's Road is their debut album, and was released on Swedish label Transubstans Records in February 2011.

The band themselves describe their music as "in a 70's kind of mood, heavy blues rock is mixed up with more jam-oriented, experimental and psychedelic parts...", which is a good as description as any. As one wanders through this production a plethora of names will pop up, and the better you know your harder edged and psychedelic rock of the 70's the more of them there will be. Black Sabbath, Mountain, Led Zeppelin, Robin Trower and to some extent good old Pink Floyd are strong candidates as far as sound and possible influences go, others might pull up a totally different set of names. The most important part of it is that these guys doesn't sound like they are copying or replicating specific sounds or bands. They manage to sound fresh and new, despite sporting a distinctly retro-oriented expression firmly rooted in the early 70's.

Guitar and organ combinations are used extensively throughout, be it as lighter-toned, reverberating heavy psych riffs combining with the pipes or as heavier-set riffs and organ in majestic constellations closer to Deep Purple or even Atomic Rooster in expression. Occasionally the keys will be out of the picture in part or in whole while the band takes a scorching run through territories closer to Mountain's spirited brand of hard rock or the slower, thundering vintage stoner rock of Tony Iommi and his compatriots, and on one occasion we're even treated to a gritty and elongated jazz-laden improvisation. Gentler passages closing in on the pastoral sporting violin and flute details combined with gentle vocals and light wandering guitar is another part of this trio's repertoire, and if I'm not much mistaken those who love the Mellotron will find the odd theme here and there where this vintage instrument is preferred over the organ or the occasional vintage keyboard textures. With twists and turns aplenty, to the point of inspiring a touch of vertigo at times, but always excellently and compellingly performed. Flow and momentum are upheld quite nicely, and the compositions have a strong nerve throughout.

"LIfe's Road" is a veritable smorgasbord for those who love harder edged rock of the early 70's variety, the happiest marriage of heavy prog and heavy psych I've encountered in quite some time. Sophisticated, rather innovative and most certainly with a fair few moment of originality. And as such, a highly recommended production for anyone with an affection for music of this kind that initially gained popularity some 40 years ago.

My rating: 87/100


Track List:
1. Too Many Choices - 5:00
2. Cold to the Bone - 4:33
3. Down to the Bottom - 5:31
4. Each to Their Own - 11:06
5. Feel Alive - 5:10
6. An Endless Delusion - 10:04
7. Since Our First Day - 10:34
8. Moving On - 5:28
9. Life's Road - 6:50