With their previous release “From Silence to Somewhere” (2017), Norwegian band Wobbler managed a thoughtful, retro and rustic prog album while infusing it with freshness and creativity. “Dwellers of the Deep” is their fifth album, and my hope was for something as enthralling as “From Silence to Somewhere”.
Sure enough, the album starts off with dreamy folksy 70s style prog psychedelia and the sound of a Hammond organ. Transported back in time within 2 minutes and so it goes on. “Dwellers of the Deep” is described as an “introspective voyage among the realm of memories, feelings and instincts, where the light is lighter, and the dark is darker”. “By the Banks”, which opens the album, bounces playfully from passage to passage. The organ is everywhere. There are lonely vocal harmonies. The singer’s voice is strongly reminiscent of Jon Anderson (singer of Yes for those who don’t know what I’m on about). And it is like being the banks of a river in a technicolour landscape. Progressive and emotive in style it is, but above all this born of imagination, making it sophisticated and delightful. Of modern bands, I am most reminded of Astra and maybe KingBathmat but this is set in the 70s looking imagination of Wobbler. It sounds as if the band are having a ball as they move to the equally flamboyant and retro “Five Rooms”. You could accuse them of self-indulgence but it flows and invites us in. One passage strongly reminded me of Haken, which isn’t entirely surprising as both Haken and Wobbler are experts at letting their quirky imaginations run wild.
“Naiad Dreams” shares the quirkiness but is delicate, falling somewhere been the theme of Camberwick Green (a 1960s children’s TV series) and a nursery rhyme – it’s a sheer joy. “Merry Macabre” takes us back to the world of upbeat sophisticated prog. At 19 minutes in length, “Merry Macabre” is a series of delightfully connected passages. From the exuberant beginning there is a sinister passage with what sounds like a tuba. From this my comparison with Haken returns as lightness fills the air. As advertised, lightness mixes with darker passages, resulting in a rich mix of harmony, Hammond and mild heaviness, but above all playfulness and joy to the listener. The songs are clever but without doubt the clarity of sound and production make what was already a great album even better. Earlier the vocalist had talked about peering through the looking glass, and here on “Merry Macabre” we are treated to a world of musical finesse and finery. And as tones of sadness creep in, the vocalist momentarily sounds like Green Carnation’s Kjetil with his plaintive tones. But there’s no time to linger as the mystical journey continues. There’s almost an eastern touch about this. It’s like a flowing river. The vocalist evokes carefree childhood but then the sky goes dark and he tells us of “a grim dark torrent waiting underneath my skin”. Merry macabre indeed. The musical mood darkens, but presently the skies brighten again and there’s a pulsating keyboard-led passage to lead us to the end of this colourful work.
With Wobbler it’s like a fantasy world as they give free rein to their 70s inspired prog psychedelia. Their talent is immense, and once again “Dwellers of the Deep” delivers oceans of playful sophistication for us to enjoy.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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