TOMAS BODIN
“I Am”

Music Style: Progressive Rock

Tracklisting: 1. I 23:12 - 2. A 21:18 - 3. M 18:43

Line-Up:
Tomas Bodin - keyboards
Jonas Reingold - bass
Marcus Liliequist - drums
Jocke JJ Marsh - guitars
Anders Jansson - vocals
Pernilla Bodin - vocals
Helene Schönning - vocals

Info:
Tomas Bodin is best known for being the keyboardist for Swedish progressive rock favourites The Flower Kings. In addition to that role, he is also an extremely competent composer and skilful instrumentalist as he ably displays with the release of his fourth solo album “I Am”. Having released solely instrumental albums in the past, he surprises fans this time out with a brilliant prog rock opera which began life as a means of personal self discovery.

“‘I Am‘ is a story about man’s time on earth“, tells Bodin. “Part of it is based on things I have experienced myself. It’s a story about philosophical and religious themes and finally about reincarnation. I believe that every human being at some point asks the questions, ‘Will it have a good ending?‘, ‘Who am I?‘ or ‘Will I live on eternally?‘. First of all the album was intended as something personal for me to help me realise several things for myself. I needed to get it out of my system. Then I saw that I could transfer my thoughts into art and make it available to other people and possibly make these thoughts significant.“

And so the project was underway. Together with fellow band mates Jonas Reingold on bass, and new Flower Kings drummer Marcus Liliequist, Bodin enlisted the help of guitarist Jocke JJ Marsh of the Glenn Hughes Band and vocalists Anders Jansson, Pernilla Bodin, and Helene Schönning. ”For me this meant a whole new kind of work process”, tells Bodin. “For the first time I had to think in terms of verses and choruses yet I wanted to keep it progressive. I had already written music to act as the backdrop for a complex story but it became hard work to translate some of my ideas into emotions that could be relayed by vocalists. However, it became a creative exchange, temporary disagreements often lead to new ideas. So all the time there was this dynamic interplay.”

The result is quite possibly one of the most ambitious and complex rock operas ever released – consisting of three long suites (of around 20 minutes each), divided into several chapters. To describe the music itself in greater detail would only do this masterpiece a disservice. Suffice to say, this time out Tomas Bodin has excelled himself and demands the utmost respect from listeners.

There are moments on the album that remind the listener at times of Bodin’s “Pinup Guru” album with its complex trio led passages that reflect early Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Virtuoso musicianship all vying for recognition in a flurry of nimble fingered technique. It’s easy to be captivated by guitar and keyboard solos that are both technically perfect and also emotionally dramatic. Cream influenced blues rock sits comfortably alongside Crimson-like complicated jazz rock. Beautiful piano passages work their way throughout the album, occasionally dominating and at other times accompanied by vocals that conjure up the serenity of Pink Floyd at their most powerful.

Despite the fullness of creativity and energy within, “I Am“ remains an album with a fascinating story to tell, which keeps the listener enthralled. However, one has to persevere and continue to look at it from different perspectives. One must “read“ it several times before grasping its full implications and splendour.

Last Update: Sunday, 19. June 2005
created in September 2002 © by Sonny