KRISTER LINDER

ALBUM SSC, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 REVIEW: AUGUST 15, 2006


Musicians are a strange breed. It seems half of them can’t help themselves when it comes to wanting to hog the spotlight, whereas the other half runs a mile from even the scent of a camera. In this respect Krister Linder has something equating to a pathological fear of exposure. “Songs from the Silent Years” marks a return to the spotlight after an apparent twelve-year sabbatical. So what happened?
In actual fact, Mr. Linder has been very busy in the time since his work with his band Grace. Rather than going to ground, he just made a fine line in moniker changing. He formed another band, Dive, which again disappeared after its third and best album release. Linder then returned in a variety of other guises, recording largely instrumental works. There were also guest appearances on a range of underground artists’ records, including Tupilaq, Illuminum and Yeti. Still, even despite all this, twelve years is a long time to work yourself back to the frontline – so simple curiosity surely outweighs expectation with this disc.
The majority of the tracks here are very atmospheric numbers. There is a downbeat, seemingly melancholy aspect to all of them, accentuated by those recognizably lush tonsils of his. The singing is fine throughout, a good job really as it seems that all the tracks are built around the vocal as its main integral part. Take away the vocal and there would be a few rather sparse tracks, if I am completely honest. “Turning Daises” is musically the most interesting for me here, through its experimentation with pitch shifting notes and car-siren style horn blasts, lending it a very apocalyptic kind of feel.
Naturally some of the other tracks are stronger than others; “Mixed Blood” is a success in its lyrics, and rather fetching dreamy synth stylings, likewise the following track “Before It’s All over”, which has a nice throbbing bass pulse on top of the other elements. Unfortunately, I think that the album falters through its lack of change in pace or style. Like eating the same meal days and days in a row, it doesn’t matter how good it is, eventually you will tire and want to try something else. Also, with some tracks nearly hitting the ten minute mark, it could be argued if some of these tracks couldn’t have been trimmed down a little.
A decent enough album, but it doesn’t get me reaching for the book of superlatives. Somehow I think though that those who like nice vocals delivered over downbeat rhythms and haunting melodies won’t be disappointed.
MIKE WHYTE - http://www.releasemagazine.net/Onrecord/orkristerlindersftsy.htm

Krister Linder
"Songs from the silent years"
(Ghostfriend,2006)

Producer: Krister Linder
Style: Pop/Ambient
Format: Album
Website: www.kristerlinder....
Reviewed by: Kaj Roth




http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=5020



Review
Finally a new album with Sweden's answer to Peter Gabriel - Mr.Krister Linder aka Chris Lancelot who after 12 years of absence returns with 2 albums, the dark alternative metal of Enter The Hunt and his ambient solo album "Songs from the silent years".
Many are the fans who were waiting for Dive's 4th unreleased album when the good news of a new vocal oriented album from Linder became official earlier this year.
I've got some nice memories to Dive's 80's hit "Captain Nemo" and was really happy to hear Linder's unique and amazing voice on 2 different musical adventures.

He has produced this album himself and releases it on his own record label Ghostfriend records, helping out on guitar is Hjalmar Leissner and the bass is handled by Jan Hellman (Carptree).
Turn out the lights, lay down in your sofa and close out the world around you because no outside disturbance should interfere with your quality time of Linder's electronic soundscape.
54 minutes that should be soaked in all in one take but my personal faves that I can listen to more than the others are "Eternal life", "Before it's all over" and the single "Don't lose your way". - MELODIC.NET

Krister Linder
"Don´t Lose Your Way"
(Ghostfriend,2006)

Producer: Krister Linder
Style: Pop/Ambient
Format: Single
Website: www.kristerlinder....
Reviewed by: Progman




http://www.melodic.net/reviewsOne.asp?revnr=4356



Review
This is no April fools joke; I am not kidding you! Sweden’s absolute best vocalist ever Krister Linder is back and is soon to release his first vocal album in twelve years! The album is to be entitled “Songs From The Silent Years” and the first taster is the download only single “Don’t Lose Your Way”, a song which follows in the Dive tradition mixed with the ambient sound that Krister is known for from his non-vocal era (that’s the last twelve years) with aliases such as Yeti and Solaroid (just to name a few). High class Ambient Pop with nothing but amazing vocals from the singer formerly known as Chris Lancelot, from the well known Swedish band Grace and Dive that was quite successful in Sweden in the late eighties and early nineties. If you can’t wait until the end of May when the full length album will be released, go to his new website and listen to the single and loads of other songs and then of course, click the correct link and buy the single on-line for a really small sum. It is worth it, because the more lengthy urban remix is fatter and even better, be sure to be in from the start when the years biggest happening is about to embark, Krister Linder is back – finally! - MELODIC.NET