This is the first solo record for Swedish guitarist Andree Theander, who some may recall is the owner of two AOR/West coast albums under his band name The Theander Expression.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Andree Theander
ALBUM: The Peculiar Present
LABEL: Malachite Night Records
SERIAL: MNR001
YEAR: 2020
CD INFO: Discogs Infi List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Sweden
LINEUP: Andree Theander – vocals, guitar * Ruslan Sirota – keyboards * Matts Alsberg – bass * Sebastian Freij – cello * Johan Ludvig Rask – percussion * Nate Barnes, Mikael Wikman – drums * Lars Säfsund, Agnes Rehn – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Dare To Try * 02 The Peculiar Present * 03 Words I’ve Never Used * 04 What It’s Like To Cover * 05 Ready For Tomorrow * 06 Sweet Alder * 07 Mr. Mastermind * 08 The Competition * 09 Train Of Dreams * 10 A Fool’s Idea Of Glory
RATING: 85/100
Background
This is the first solo record for Swedish guitarist Andree Theander, who some may recall is the owner of two AOR/West coast albums under his band name The Theander Expression from 2013 and 2016 (Avenue Of Allies).
For this album, Andree Theander reverts to a commercial jangly style of rock where his guitar takes center-stage. There are a handful of moments of his previous AOR or west coast leanings, but mostly we are treated to a smattering of funky, bluesy and at times Americana styled tunes in amongst the Swedish melodia.
The Songs
It’s a well made selection of songs with several other guests helping out (see lineup above). Highlights for me include the mid-West sounding ‘Ready For Tomorrow’, the tough but melodic rock of ‘Mr Mastermind’ which is one of the few tracks that comes close to The Theander Expression‘s previous material, the other being’ Fools Idea Of Glory’ which is very cool.
The tile track ‘The Peculiar Present’ is very funky, complete with brass stabs, ‘Words I’ve Never Used’ is Theander’s take on the singer/songwriter style, and he succeeds unequivocally. ‘Train Of Dreams’ is indeed dreamy stuff, well worth a repeat-play or two. For something different, ‘Sweet Alder’ is an instrumental.
In Summary
What this album demonstrates is that Andree Theander is one talented musician, and an album as catchy as this should be on everybodys radar. Check it out, whether by purchase, streaming or download.
Video
Mr Mastermind
Train Of Dreams
