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Tomas Bodin - Pinup Guru

Tomas Bodin - Pinup Guru
Released: 2002
Label: InsideOut Music America / InsideOut Music
Cat. No.: IOMACD 2046-2 / IOMCD 111/SPV 085-65382 CD
Total Time: 68:56

Reviewed by: Marcel Haster, March 2003
Tomas Bodin is mostly known for his keyboard work with The Flower Kings, but he is also active as solo composer and instrumentalist. Pinup Guru is his second album and he manages to bring back the E.L.P. sound. The album is completely instrumental and very keyboard orientated. On the album he is helped by Jonas Reingold on bass and Zoltan Cörsz on drums, both also members of The Flower Kings. Bodin uses a variety of keyboards and organs on the album to create very groovy and sometimes a bit weird melodies.

Personally I am not a fan of instrumental albums, yet Bodin knows how to keep the attention of the listener. Sometimes songs begin with strange sounds or voices such as "My Beautiful Neighbour" which reminds me of Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd as it has the same kind of heartbeat in the beginning. Bodin treats us to a few progressive pieces that are over 10 minutes: "What's Going On," which starts with some real spacey keys and gives Jonas Reingold some room with his bass. This song could have been played by E.L.P. if you ask me. "Me And Liz" begins with less keyboard and more drum and bass and is a very laidback song with a sampled guitar sound in it. "The Final Swig" has a lot of bass in it, in a sort of duel with the keys.

Pinup Guru is a very progressive album, a mix of styles and melodies and good to listen to. But after having heard it a couple of times, I still find it a bit chaotic at times. The production is good and Tomas Bodin is obviously very good at what he does but I prefer a bit more structure in the songs so that it is a pleasure to listen to and that is what I miss with this album. Still, it is not a bad album so if you have all of the E.L.P. albums in your collection, give this one a few spins.

Similar bands: E.L.P., The Nice

PPO Rating: 6/10

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Keith's review -ed.]

More about Pinup Guru:

Track Listing: Sodium Regale (3:39) / What’s Going On (13:37) / Me And Liz (11:12) / Harlem Heat (8:20) / My Beautiful Neighbour (2:23) / New In The ‘Hood (7:18) / Blood (5:42) / The Ballerina Is Not Getting Closer (1:55) / The Last Eagle (5:50) / The Final Swig (10:58)

Musicians:
Tomas Bodin - Keyboards
Jonas Reingold - Bass
Zoltan Csörsz - Drums

Contact:

Website: www.tomasbodin.com
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

An Ordinary Night In My Ordinary Life (2000)
Pinup Guru (2002)
Sonic Boulevard (2003)
I Am (2005)

	Tomas Bodin - Pinup Guru
	Released: 2002 Label: InsideOut Music America / InsideOut Music Cat. No.: IOMACD 2046-2 / IOMCD 111/SPV 085-65382 CD Total Time: 68:56
	Reviewed by: Marcel Haster, March 2003 Tomas Bodin is mostly known for his keyboard work with The Flower Kings, but he is also active as solo composer and instrumentalist. Pinup Guru is his second album and he manages to bring back the E.L.P. sound. The album is completely instrumental and very keyboard orientated. On the album he is helped by Jonas Reingold on bass and Zoltan Cörsz on drums, both also members of The Flower Kings. Bodin uses a variety of keyboards and organs on the album to create very groovy and sometimes a bit weird melodies. Personally I am not a fan of instrumental albums, yet Bodin knows how to keep the attention of the listener. Sometimes songs begin with strange sounds or voices such as "My Beautiful Neighbour" which reminds me of Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd as it has the same kind of heartbeat in the beginning. Bodin treats us to a few progressive pieces that are over 10 minutes: "What's Going On," which starts with some real spacey keys and gives Jonas Reingold some room with his bass. This song could have been played by E.L.P. if you ask me. "Me And Liz" begins with less keyboard and more drum and bass and is a very laidback song with a sampled guitar sound in it. "The Final Swig" has a lot of bass in it, in a sort of duel with the keys. Pinup Guru is a very progressive album, a mix of styles and melodies and good to listen to. But after having heard it a couple of times, I still find it a bit chaotic at times. The production is good and Tomas Bodin is obviously very good at what he does but I prefer a bit more structure in the songs so that it is a pleasure to listen to and that is what I miss with this album. Still, it is not a bad album so if you have all of the E.L.P. albums in your collection, give this one a few spins. Similar bands: E.L.P., The Nice PPO Rating: 6/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Keith's review -ed.] More about Pinup Guru: Track Listing: Sodium Regale (3:39) / What’s Going On (13:37) / Me And Liz (11:12) / Harlem Heat (8:20) / My Beautiful Neighbour (2:23) / New In The ‘Hood (7:18) / Blood (5:42) / The Ballerina Is Not Getting Closer (1:55) / The Last Eagle (5:50) / The Final Swig (10:58) Musicians: Tomas Bodin - Keyboards Jonas Reingold - Bass Zoltan Csörsz - Drums Contact: Website: www.tomasbodin.com Note: will open new browser window Discography An Ordinary Night In My Ordinary Life (2000) Pinup Guru (2002) Sonic Boulevard (2003) I Am (2005)