X-Union - Dash

Year of Release: 1999
Label: Riverside Records
Catalog Number: MSI0745397
Format: CD
Total Time: 41:30:00

X-Union is another band to come out of Sweden.

The band has four members and some might remember ex-Wild Force bass player Mikael Reinholdson. This is a pretty interesting acquaintance as X-Union do not play "dungeons and dragons"-metal nor do they play heavy AOR. What we get here is down and dirty, raw and sleazy rock and roll. This is in fact very good indeed and it's hard not to get caught by these rocking songs. It took some spins before I started enjoying this, but the songs does have a certain melodic touch which make them accessible even to straight hard rock fans. The songs are fairly up-tempo and very guitar driven, backed up by cool Hammond organ. And more than often I get a really strong Thin Lizzy vibe, mostly due to the dual guitars which have a clear Thin Lizzy influence. The mid-ranged vocals are really strong and the choruses are layered with vocal harmonies. The bass and drums is also well mixed and does a good job contributing to the energy of the disc. Although most songs are rockers, they do slow it down once in a while with some acoustic based themes.

The production is clear and has depth which certainly serves it's intention. The songs are of good quality and I found myself really enjoying this CD after some spins. I guess you just have to be in the right mood when listening to this. Some songs are really melodic and I couldn't keep myself from singing along to songs, like, for example "Change."

All in all a cool, different and entertaining release. If you like Thin Lizzy and sleazy rock and roll, why not try X-Union?

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Red / Love Somebody / Bad Moon / My Sister Of Mercy / Fishsong / My Child / Timeless Picture / Change / Howling Sam / X Union

Musicians:
Mikael Reinholdson - bass,...

Discography:
Dash (1999)

Genre: Rock

Origin SE

Added: March 29th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Hits: 2792
Language: english