A.C.T are a progressive rock band from Sweden. However, these guys are a little different from my usual choice of music. I would class them more specifically under pop-prog. That is, they write progressive material, but it's also accessible and dare I say... catchy? In fact, a few of these songs for the most part are pretty much just straight pop-rock. However, I guess since the ideas are a tad more interesting and engaging than usual modern pop-rock, I actually enjoy them.
A.C.T have released four albums since forming 1994, each of which have been incredibly consistent, something that I consider a rarity in what I've found so far. Today, I'm going to focus on their third effort, Last Epic, from 2003. This album contains some of their best tracks, in my opinion.
01. Intro (0:48)
Can't really say much about this track - it's some nice strings, and sets up for the next song. Moving on.
02. Wailings From A Building (4:21)
And now one of my couple of faves from the album - the whole song is exceptional. Starts out with a kickass riff supplemented by keyboards, and then we calm down to piano/keyboard. Almost sounds like something from ABBA, really, if it weren't for the punctuations of guitar and drums throughout. Chorus has a great chord progression, and is probably the catchiest part of the song, naturally. The song's structure is a predictable one, but this isn't trying to be some complex proggy thing - it's just pure fun. Just one last thing of note - guitar solo = best on the album. Just pure win.
03. Mr. Landlord (4:41)
Love the honkytonk in the first verse. Reminds me of something McCartney would write. In fact, putting aside the heavier instrumentation, this song is very Beatlesque. Another good solo from Andersson here.
04. Torn By A Phrase [Apartment 121] (4:21)
Another album favourite - starts out with an intro that wouldn't sound out of place in the 80's, really. The synth just has that vibe to it. The verses are the best in this song. Just excellent progression. The interlude is probably the first downright proggy thing in the album - got some quirky circus music going that is interspersed with strings or guitar or theatrical vocals - sounds like something from Queen, really.
05. Ted's Ballad [Garden] (3:47)
This is a predominantly piano affair, which sounds perhaps a little too cheesy. Not one of my favourites, that's for sure, but it's perfectly listenable.
06. Dance Of Mr. Grumble [Attic] (2:10)
An instrumental track, it's pretty cool. Solid guitar riffage backs the whole thing.
07. Wake Up [Attic] (4:28)
And for something rather different, ska takes over, although with A.C.T's now apparent customary string trio helping. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the verses, mainly because I'm not a fan of the genre as a whole. The rest of the song is fine, but not something I choose to listen to.
08. Manipulator [Apartment 121] (6:14)
The longest song on the album, it is also one of the more generic ones, unfortunately. Not much else to really say.
09. A Loaded Situation [Barbeque] (3:30)
The other main instrumental on the album, it's different in tone to Mr. Gumble. Other than that, description-wise it's pretty much the same thing.
10. The Observer [Surveying Room] (3:07)
This is similar in feel to Wailings From A Building. The progression in the chorus is nicely handled in contrast to the verses. Nice and meandering.
11. The Cause [Surveying Room] (3:27)
Another ABBA sounding tune with a twist, the chord progression at the start is one that I recognise instantly, but it's one of the underused ones that I love. This song really is sorta like something I would've liked to have been able to write years back, when I first got into composing. And so I enjoy it very much. Simple, but well put together.
12. The Effect [Surveying Room] (4:39)
The intro originally puts me off, with an 80's style vocoder going. However, then the strings come in, and things quickly change. The chorus is very anthemic, even for A.C.T. The last chorus is handled by the guest vocalist, Sara Svensson, which took me aback when I first listened. Another good song.
13. Summary [Surveying Room] (5:04)
A synth intro starts up, and another upbeat tune commences. I'm running out of things to say now, so I'll just claim that it's another decent track, and leave it at that. :P
14. Outro (1:15)
A very theatrical ending to the album, it lets the strings take centre stage. An excellent sendoff.
For those interested in giving this a go, I would recommend giving Wailings From A Building and Torn By A Phrase a go.
Overall album score: 7.9/10
Personnel:
- Herman Saming / lead and backing vocals
- Jerry Sahlin / keyboards, vocoder, lead and backing vocals
- Peter Asp / bass guitar, backing vocals, percussion
- Ola Andersson / guitars, lead and backing vocals
- Thomas Lejon / drums
Guest musicians:
- Sara Svensson / lead vocals on "The Effect"
- Thomas Erlandsson / percussion
Track Listing:
01. Intro (0:48)
02. Wailings From A Building (4:21)
03. Mr. Landlord (4:41)
04. Torn By A Phrase [Apartment 121] (4:21)
05. Ted's Ballad [Garden] (3:47)
06. Dance Of Mr. Grumble [Attic] (2:10)
07. Wake Up [Attic] (4:28)
08. Manipulator [Apartment 121] (6:14)
09. A Loaded Situation [Barbeque] (3:30)
10. The Observer [Surveying Room] (3:07)
11. The Cause [Surveying Room] (3:27)
12. The Effect [Surveying Room] (4:39)
13. Summary [Surveying Room] (5:04)
14. Outro (1:15)
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