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Better Late than Never: Abramis Brama, Smakar S?ndag

Very Swedish. Very rock.Especially since, although I find it to be a beautiful language when spoken both in and out of Ingmar Bergman films, I have no actual knowledge of Swedish, I feel justified in boasting that when reading the title of Abramis Brama?s latest album, Smakar S?ndag (Transubstans), I was able to figure out the second word translated to ?Sunday.? So hooray for me. According to Google, the whole title is ?Tastes Like Sunday.? Even if that?s wrong, I?ll take it for the pun.

The Stockholm/Farsta outfit, who?ve added a second guitarist in Robert Johansson and a new drummer in Fredrik ?Trisse? Liefvendahl (Grand Magus) since 2005?s Rubicon, have always been a back-of-the-mind band for me. I know they?re out there, and I know they?re pretty good, but rarely does it occur to me to track down any of their stuff. I don?t think it?s the language issue, but I don?t have a good answer either way — especially after hearing Smakar S?ndag, which kicks all kinds of ?70s grooving ass.

There?s definitely a retro aspect to Abramis Brama?s shenanigans, but I?d put them more in league with straightforward rockers like Firebird rather than their country?s doomier obsessed vintage-philes like Witchcraft and the sundry bands that have come in their wake. Plus, since Abramis Brama formed in 1997, they?ve got some years behind them now. Smakar S?ndag is their sixth full-length, and it is every bit an accomplishment of classic stoner rock.

Please be careful where you're sticking that thing, Mr. Torkelsson.It?s not often a song not in English or maybe Spanish will have me singing along, but the title track of Smakar S?ndag boasts a chorus catchy enough to do the job. Likewise for the Mountain-esque ?L?ngsamt (Ett Troll I Min Hj?rna)? and the ride-heavy ??ga F?r ?ga.? And just in case you think Abramis Brama might be pulling some kind of ironic fast one, I humbly submit the sincerity with which the cowbell is unleashed on opener ?Kylan Kommer Inifr?n? and the undeniable Zeppelin acoustic sweetness of ?N.E.J.? Vocalist Ulf Torkelsson?s voice, backed by bassist Dennis Berg, is amiable to somber moments or Grand Funk boogie (both of which appear on the 10-plus minute ?Med Ont F?rs?t?), and Peo Andersson?s guitar work is a joy to revelers of smooth riffs and memorable hooks.

Smakar S?ndag has been out for a couple months now, but is only available in the US as an import. Nonetheless, it?s an album entirely worth tracking down by means either interwebular or otherwise, since it captures a genuine essence of what rock is all about while leaving nothing to question in terms of intent. This is rock for rock?s sake, beautifully executed. Highly recommended.

Abramis Brama on MySpace

Transubstans Records

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