White Willow - Storm Season
	Released: 2004 Label: The Laser's Edge Cat. No.: LE1038 Total Time: 47:23
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, January 2005 White Willow has taken the next step in expanding their sound, and it is a step in the right direction. Storm Season is the band's fourth release on the Lasers Edge label and displays heavier elements that bring a well-needed balance. The crunching metallic riffs allow the impact of the band's signature folky ethereal music to be all the more powerful without drastically altering the bands sound. Yet, what stands out is the amazing keyboard work (Lars Fredrik Froislie), whether moog, piano, Hammond or Mellotron, solos or backing tracks, the keyboard sounds are incredible. The inclusion of the cello on some of the tracks enhances the eerie quality to the music. All the additions and embellishments have made this by far their best work. The opening "Chemical Sunset" is one of the best tracks the band has recorded to date. The keyboards alone conjure up the 70s, add to the mix the orchestrated mid-section with flutes, cellos acoustic guitar, and you have a classic track. "Sally Left" continues to carry the intensity of the opener, leading into the folky "Endless Science." "Soulburn" contains male and female vocals which seem a little forced, and the male vocals just don’t sound great to these ears, but the music more than makes up for that. A little Rick Wakeman influence can even be heard during one of the keyboard solos with Moog and 'Tron. White Willow has put out their best yet with Storm Season. Vocalist Sylvia Erichsen has parted ways with the band, and I am hoping that can be another change that will improve the band's sound. They have survived various lineup changes in the past and come out the better for it. Storm Season will easily make plenty of "best of" lists for 2004, mine included! [See also Steph's review -ed.] More about Storm Season: Track Listing: Chemical Sunset (7:58) / Sally Left (6:33) / Endless Science (3:37) / Soulburn (9:21) / Insomnia (5:49) / Storm Season (4:21) / Nightside of Eden (9:44) Musicians: Jacob Holm-Lupo - electric, acoustic, and classical guitars and keyboards Sylvia Erichsen - vocals Johannes Saebøe - electric guitars, electric baryton guitar Marthe Berger Walthinsen - 4 & 5 string basses and tambourine Lars Fredrik Frøislie - piano, Mellotron M400, Hammond B3, mini-moog, synths, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and glockenspiel Aage Moltke Schou - drums and percussion Ketil Vestrum Einarsen - flutes, microsynth and tambourine Sigrun Eng - cello Finn Coren - vocals (4) Teresa K. Aslanian - ghost voice (2) Contact: Website: www.whitewillow.net Note: will open new browser window Discography Ignus Fatuus (1995) Ex Tenebris (1998) Sacrament (2000) Storm Season (2004)