International relevance: ***/***
Instrumental, Swedish lyrics
Lars Hollmer was the most prolific
ex-Samla Mammas Manna member, with several different projects and
collaborations going while maintaining his solo career. He quickly
became a much heralded part of the RIO scene, but also scored a
surprise radio hit with the loveable ”Boeves psalm” from his
first album ”XII sibiriska cyklar”, forcing Silence to release at
as a single in 1983, two years after the LP was released. A lot of
Swedes know the song without having a clue of Hollmer's past as a
Samla Mammas Manna member or later activities.
”XII sibiriska cyklar” is an
amiable collection of humorous vocal tracks and shrewd instrumentals,
weaving together multiple musical traditions from different parts of
the world into what can only be described as 'Hollmer music'. No-one
can possibly question his significance to Samla Mammas Manna, but
with his ideas isolated on a true solo album (he plays all the
instruments himself), it becomes even more evident how crucial he was
to the group's sound. ”XII sibiriska cyklar” is an endearing
album which serious playfulness/playful seriousness is destined to
make you feel nice and comfortable within.
”Vill du höra mer?” follows along
the same lines, only with a broader soundstage, but it doesn't sound
quite as fresh as the debut. It's good, but it would be even better if ”XII sibiriska cyklar” didn't already exist. The title track is the
album's high mark, with lyrics about the life of a pained teenager
making it one of the darkest tracks on any of these two albums.
”Vill du höra mer?” was the first
of many releases on Lars Hollmer's own Krax label which stayed in business
until Hollmer's untimely death in 2008.
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