When I heard that Beardfish were back together performing live, I hoped with all my heart that this also meant new music from the Swedish band. When I found out that there was indeed a new album in the offing, I was giddy with excitement. Their last record was nine years ago and the band broke up a year later. So knowing a ninth album was on the way from them was extremely invigorating.
Anticipation can be both a blessing and a curse. As you wait patiently for a new album by one of your favourite artists, you start to build a picture in your head of what that album will be like. That often does the band a real disservice, as the record they release will never quite align with the record in your head. I went into Songs for Beating Hearts with far too much baggage. Having been an avid fan of Big Big Train and Rikard Sjöblom’s solo and Gungfly music I put Beardfish into a slightly different musical box in my mind. I was expecting a heavier record and a more out there collection of songs then the one I got. I’ll be honest, I was disappointed on the first few listens to this comeback record. But as I played it more and more I realised that I was the problem and those preconceived notions were getting in the way.
It’s true that this album shares more connective tissue with Gungfly’s On Her Journey To The Sun record than some of Beardfish’s albums but that doesn’t diminish it in any way. Firstly On Her Journey To The Sun is my favourite Gungfly album and secondly Beardfish have always shifted their sound and approach from record to record. What always makes their albums so good is the quality of the songwriting, the excellence of their playing and Rikard’s distinctive vocals and all of those components shine here too. This is a mellower and more mature album in many ways, but once it gets under your skin you realise how truly exceptional it is.
This is very much an album and not just a collection of songs in a row – it’s prog, it’s folk, it’s classic rock, it’s singer songwriter, all at the same time. The sequencing works really well on this LP and the whole thing is held together perfectly by five part Out in the Open which is a glorious prog masterpiece. Like Yes, Genesis and Focus all combining to create something full of dynamic shifts, virtuoso playing and gorgeous melodies. It’s one of the most fun things Beardfish have done and I can’t wait to hear it live as one long masterwork. It’s sublime.
Beating Hearts starts with an almost classic ELO violin intro, before the guitars kick in. Although there isn’t a violinist credited in the details I have. This pastoral prog epic takes you on a wondrous 11 minute journey. In the Autumn again ups the ante when it comes to fun, delivering a rollicking good time when it gets going and lets loose. Torrential downpour packs an emotional punch and gives you a lot to unpack both musically and lyrically.
Across the whole record there is more guitar work than I gave the record credit for initially. On keyboards and guitars Sjöblom and Zackrisson both play their beating hearts out. And the rhythm section of Hansen and Ostgren work in perfect harmony to drive each song forward. The addition of Amanda Örtenhag, also Rikard’s fiancée, on backing vocals and co lead vocals on In the Autumn adds a new dimension that enhances the band’s sound even further. I don’t think Rikard has ever sounded better vocally, and this album really shows his range.
I had been listening to The Album Years podcast’s 1982 episode just before listening to the album’s bonus track and that served me well. A pitch perfect 1982 style instrumental version of album opener Ecotone is the ideal way to close off this record. The synth sounds, gated reverb style drumming, Pigeon Street style electric drum touches and big epic gutter solo took me back to my youth. In an album that’s already oozing with fun, this was the icing on the cake. This version could easily have just been a jokey pastiche, but the care and attention to making this sound just right is impeccable. It rounds off a very good record indeed.
Between this and The Likes of Us, Rikard Sjöblom appears on two of the very best albums of 2024. I hope this isn’t just a nostalgic reunion and instead means that Beardfish as a band are back for good. They are always full of surprises and create world class music that is truly infectious, long may that continue.
TRACK LISTING
01. Ecotone (4:30)
02. Out In The Open (20:33)
– I. Overture
– II. Oblivion
– III. Hopes And Dreams
– IV. Oblivion (Reprise)
– V. Around The Bend
03. Beating Hearts (11:01)
04. In The Autumn (5:58)
05. Ecotone (Reprise) (0:43)
06. Torrential Downpour (8:29)
~ Bonus track
07. Ecotone – Norrsken 1982 (6:13)
Total Time – 57:27
MUSICIANS
Rikard Sjöblom – Vocals, Keyboards
David Zackrisson – Guitars
Robert Hansen – Bass
Magnus Östgren – Drums
~ With:
Amanda Örtenhag – Vocals (4)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: InsideOut Music
Country of Origin: Sweden
Date of Release: 1st November 2024