En Rak Höger / En Rak Hoger

Released in 2008, this Musea debut features the Swedish quartet Klotet in their most outward progressive rock form. Their instrumental pieces are mostly short but full of twists and turns, from odd signatures to complex interplay and spin-on-a-dime shifts in direction. En Rak Höger actually sits well with the form of avant progressive rock championed by Cuneiform Records in the 1990 (Forever Einstein, Miriodor, etc.), with perhaps a heavier element thrown in. One can hear influences from symphonic progressive rock, the odd and fusion facets of this music too (Samla Mammas Manna, Secret Oyster), even a touch of Santana at times ("Ugglor i Mossen" being one example). The material found on En Rak Höger depicts an ebullient band — ideas run aplenty, but the arrangements are occasionally predictable ("Den Meningslösa Maskinen"). However, there's plenty to enjoy, from the oddly bouncy "Jagad av Satan" to the four-minute mini-epic "En Rak Höger Sä Att Glasögonen Rök." Still, the group's sound would continue to evolve and gain a more distinctive (and unique) personality, as pictured on Klotet's second CD, Det Har Aldrig Hänt Och Kommer Aldrig Hända Igen (2010), where Milvesofia Rydahl's organ playing becomes more singular and a central part of the group's sound. In short, En Rak Höger makes a fine debut, but the work of a band still in development. Their second effort is much more accomplished. ~ François Couture, Rovi