Tomas Bodin

TOMAS BODIN - I AM

Disk 1 . . . . . . .63:14
1. I . . . . . . . . . . . 23:12
2. A . . . . . . . . . . . 21:18
3. M . . . . . . . . . . . 18:43

Tomas Bodin's official website at:
http://www.tomasbodin.com

Line-up
- Anders Jansson: Vocals
- Jocke JJ Marsh: Guitars
- Jonas Reingold: Bass
- Marcus Liliequist: Drums
- Tomas Bodin: Keyboards

additional vocals by:
Pernilla Bodin and Helene Schönning

format: Single CD
InsideOut music # SPV CD 085-48342
release date: June 27 2005

This is the third solo album of the great Tomas Bodin, royal keyboard player of the mighty Flower Kings. A lot of people various newsgroups whetted my appetite, stating that Tomas Bodin's I AM album is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. So I had high expectations for this album. All I can say is that I was not disappointed!

Upon my first audition, the first keyboard notes I heard had my hair standing on end. Ooh, this sounds sooo good! The three tracks, who are aptly titled "I", "A" and "M", are just brilliant. No other word can describe this complex, melodious, versaltile music.

Marcus Liliequist and Jonas Reingold contribute greatly to the entire album, the bass work is just generous and luscious, with riffs that will leave you grinning with satisfaction! And the drum parts are coming from the guts, lots of emotion and plenty of dexterity. I am most impressed by the tight, precise, interaction of all the musicians. A great bunch of professionals putting it all out on this album. And Jocke JJ Marsh is a spectacular guitar player, complementing Mr. Bodin's keyboards with grace, elegance and intensity! As for Tomas... he's like a fine highland scotch, getting better and better with age, the perfection of his work on this album should erase any doubt that he is in the top ten of all keyboard players on earth, all musical styles confounded!

1 The first track, referred to as " I ". Cheerful, powerful, intense, going from an enthusiastic mood of Wheel Spinner, to a very Flower King-ish Day By Day. Much variety on this track, which ends in an orchestral crescendo followed by a bit reminding me of Pink Floyd's Outside the Wall.

2 The second track, referred to as " A ". It begins with a pleasant melodic piano bit, just to turn into the power fest of Take Me Home, agressive and grandiose. The Path of Decision part reminds me of the great jams on The Truth will Set You Free ... that great bass line by Jonas is unique to him. And again, little "samplings" of the Flower Kings throughout the album like this little Truth bit at 11:40 of track 2. Great ending with Close the Deal, Tomas has a flair for the grandiose, it's just absolutely majestic.

3 The third track, referred to as " M " begins with In The Land Of Retrospect with vocals à la Rogers Waters... bla bla bla bla as Anders says! Part 2 has a great hard, edgy tone with a really catchy melody! The next section, called Voice Macabre begins with metallic overtones, turning into a cool, jammy keyboard solo! Path of Light features a very powerful, soulful guitar solo, ending in a powerful crescendo that terminates most abruptly!

Splendid musicianship and a great overall sound thanks to TFK's ultra perfectionnist sound man, Petrus Königsson, who mastered the album. I have to mention that this Anders Jansson on vocals has a certain tonal quality and pronunciation vaguely reminiscent of Hasse Froberg's vocals, but at times a bit strained and forced... another little negative point; throughout the album, the use of whispering voices detract from the main melodies, it gets slightly tedious at times. But the addition of female vocals, with the use of Pernilla Bodin's and Helene Schönning's beautiful, melodious voice, just adds a great layer of texture to the album... icing on the cake if you could say!

A great CD from Tomas Bodin. A must for all TFK fans, and a great introduction to Tomas' keyboard talents for those not familiar with his work.

my rating for I AM : 8.5/10(album reviewed by Robert Dansereau)