Radiomobel – Gudang Garam. 1978. Even though I’ve owned this album on LP since the early 1990s, I couldn’t really tell you much about it. Such is the condition of hearing too many albums over a relatively short period of time. I was always “just gonna” listen to it again, but never did. But it was an album I knew I liked, so I just went ahead and picked up the new band authorized CD on Transubstans. It’s very much an amateur recording, with tinny late 70s era synthesizers. That, combined with the high pitched female soprano vocals in Swedish, immediately brought to mind another symphonic act during that time: Autumn Breeze. Radiomobel also take a couple of stabs at space rock, with lengthy guitar solos, which put them in Ravjunk territory. Not sure how to explain it, but I like albums such as this. There’s a Nordic charm about them – as if I’m in a dark wood paneled tavern, enjoying an “in the moment” experience. Great liner notes explains that Radiomobel means Radio Furniture, which the band used as their first amp – and subsequently blew the fuses, causing quite an explosion – at Mom’s house. We’re not talking Abbey Road here….

Metabolisme – Tempus Fugit. 1977. And speaking of late 70s European progressive rock albums that I’ve owned on vinyl since the early 90s and embarrassingly know so little about – I offer up Metabolisme. As with Radiomobel above, I just went forward with picking up the Musea reissue as I knew it was album of a certain depth that I will appreciate more now than ever. And we’re 2 for 2 in that category! There was an explosion of great acts from France in the late 70s, and Metabolisme fit well into this scene. Signed to leading light Crypto, Metabolisme has the usual dark atmospheres, processed fuzzy guitars and lost vocals. When they burst out of a slow number and rip into a tight ensemble piece you might hear Arachnoid. The spacey Pink Floyd atmosphere recalls Pulsar, especially at the time of “Pollen”. Other acts begin to pop into my head as I listen: Artcane, Terpandre, Memoriance and fellow Crypto recording artist Carpe Diem. It’s a riot of 1977 France. Usual great Musea release with band history and photos.