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Airbag: Disconnected

Melodic Progressive Rock

4.5/5.0

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Karisma Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.06.2016

While their fourth album, Disconnected, is my first experience with Norway's Airbag, comparisons are inevitable. Actually, they've already been made by others. Airbag, a melodic progressive rock band, reminds me of Pink Floyd, maybe with a dash of Poland's Riverside and, if the riffs and keyboards were a bit more dense, drop in a bit of England's Muse.

Airbag

Perhaps there's not much more to say after that. I literally showed my hand by offering that description. But to elaborate with some semi-long winded rhetoric, the reasons for the comparison are nearly obvious. One, it's the melancholy nature of the the overall Airbag sound. Also a little pensive and somber without being dark or depressing. Two, lyrical themes are shared with that iconic band, the "alienation between the individual and society." Third, it's mostly Bjorn Riis' guitar lines and textures: airy and ethereal, moody and massive, soaring and piercing. If he calls David Gilmour an influence or guide, he certainly does channel the man's style.

After these things some thing should be said of the drums as the seem quite forward in the arrangement, an accompaniment to the guitar line rather than merely rhythm and pace setter. Also, vocalist Asle Tostrup has a smooth melodic delivery, and emotion within it to communicate the aforementioned melancholy. And having mentioned that moodiness once more, you might expect to find Airbag's music depressing, and not something you want playing for long in your head. But not so. The music lingers and persuades, yet seems to lilt and list in the background. You could probably read a book or pull weeds in the garden and be both entertained and unaffected. It's kind of weird that way.

BTW: Sorry, there's no video of a song to share with you.

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Airbag, a melodic progressive rock band, reminds me of Pink Floyd, maybe with a dash of Poland's Riverside and, if the riffs and keyboards were a bit more dense, drop in a bit of England's Muse.

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eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]