(Hard Heavy Progressive) [LP] [24/96] Siena Root ‎– Pioneers - 2014, Flac (tracks+.cue)

Originally formed in 1997, Swedish retro rockers Siena Root confusingly take their name from Tuscany's "warm, earthy colors" -- a mysterious explanation to say the least, since the quartet's '70s derived melding of progressive, psychedelic and hard rock would appear to have little to do with Italy (but hey, whatever works for them!). Featuring lead singer/organist Oskar Lundström, guitarist/vocalist KG West, bassist/vocalist Sam Riffer and drummer Love H. Forsberg, Siena Root gradually honed their craft through years of club gigs and writing sessions, finally culminating in a deal with Rage of Achilles Records and the release of their 2004 debut album A New Day Dawning.
Siena Root is back with the first new studio album in 4 years and a pretty new line up with only Sam (bass, vocals) and Love (drums) from the original SR. The new guitar player Matte, the organ player Erik and lead singer Jonas, have been in the band for a year or more and really have found the vibe. As the band has been doing for many years this was recorded completely analog in the bands own studio. Between the Lines opens the record and is a sort of hard edge, almost southern rock (vocal style) like guitar riff. Classic rock, 70s style. 7 Years is next has some great guitar and organ interaction and also has a pretty hard riff. The chorus really gets tiring though, do you really need to sing,” 7 years of bad of luck, filled with pain and misery you broke the mirror on my wall” 20 times in a short song?? I like space section leading into the boogie jam a lot.. The next two tracks are both very Deep purple inspired especially the Root Rock Pioneers which starts with a guitar and organ jam. The way you turn starts side B off and is a damn catchy track with a cool organ sound and groove. Matte plays some nice slide guitar on this one as well. Keep on Climbing is a quite dark track and a bit psychedelic as well with some cool organ playing. The guitar solos are too short but I know in concert they are jamming out these tracks which is really cool. Going Down is foot stomping rock and roll track. In my Kitchen is a very nice long slow bluesy track and a great way to end the pretty intense hard rocking record. A great return for the band and a fresh new Deep Purple inspired sound without the screams! Congrats guys.. The album is also being released in the USA on Cleopatra. I hope this will finally get the band to the USA…
Sweden's Siena Root is warping back through their time tunnel to revisit and resurrect 70's classic rock. They've been doing this successfully across Scandinavia and Europe for better than 10 years with several albums and, of course, a few vinyl releases. They make their American debut with Pioneers on the Cleopatra Records label.
Typical of that early classic era, Siena Root incorporates traditional, blues, and psychedelic rock into their music, and the wrap up in groove, swing, and that swirling whirl of the venerable organ, likely and hopefully a Hammond B3. That wonderful marvel of musical machinery that powered so many bands in the Seventies has a prominent part throughout this album. Within songs such as Root Rock Pioneers (also a good description of Siena Root's music) or The Way You Turn, it's presence is significant enough to be melodramatic. Mostly, the Hammond is churning underneath everything yet very close to the surface. Inside In My Kitchen, it nearly controls the song by it's subtlety. With the slight bass and guitar lines, the song takes on a spooky Doors-like feel akin to Riders on the Storm.
After this, the major players are the heavy, often fuzzed out, riffs and the guitar solos that capture that trippy blend of blues and psychedelic rock. You'll catch this within many songs, but notable cuts include the conclusions of Spiral Trip, Between The Lines, and Keep On Climbing. Often, as with that latter song, the guitar leads work in tandem with the Hammond or Rhodes. It's all rather retro and roots, but because Siena Root understands the genre and plays it well, it sounds properly fresh. So find your bell-bottom pants, super wide belts, and funky shirt with the giant lapels, and groove out, dude.

Эти ребята-шведы заслуживают уважения. Примерный стиль — экспериметнальный психоделический прог хард, с большим количеством фанка, заметными включениями блюза, ну и соответственно всего остального из 70-х понемногу. Почему из 70-х? Потому, что сами музыканты признают основной тенденцией в своем творчестве хард 70-х.
Музыка шведских рок-хиппи уверенным шагом вернёт вас на 40 лет назад, когда луга были зеленее, трава выше, мужчины были мужчинами и женщины были рады друг другу, а тяжёлый психоделический блюз управлял миром. Их довольно классический, но оригинальный звук основан на тяжёлом звучании хаммонда и жёсткой ритм-секции с проникновенными вокалами. Вы найдете здесь кое-что от ранних Uriah Heep, Jimi Hendrix и Led Zeppelin.