Wobbler – Dwellers of the Deep
Wobbler have been making classic progressive rock music, with instruments made famous in the ‘Golden Age’ of Prog, back in the 1970s. Their music has been created from the idyllic Norwegian countryside, since the spring of 1999. The band is made up of members: Kristian Karl Hultgren, on bass, bass clarinet and bass recorder; Lars Fredrik Frøislie, on keyboards and backing vocals; Martin Nordrum Kneppen, on drums, percussion and recorder; Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo, on lead vocals, guitar, glochenspiel, and percussion; and Geir Marius Bergom Halleland, on lead guitar and backing vocals.
Andreas Wettergreen Strømman Prestmo’s voice sounds like a perfect mix of Jon Anderson, circa the debut Yes and Time and a Word albums, and maybe Arena’s Paul Wrightson, during some of Arena’s 1990’s albums.
Many of Wobbler’s discography, of five other albums, are either out of print or hard to get, but you can find and listen to portions on the Internet. Although I have known of them for years, Dwellers of the Deep, is the first Wobbler album I have purchased.
Dwellers of the Deep, and Wobbler as a band, remind me of Italy’s The Watch. Instead of creating their own sound, they have deliberately chosen the instruments of the 1970s and have tried to add to that era’s epic recordings with their own music. It is an endearing dynamic that makes me and others who grew up in that era, immediate fans.
Although Dwellers of the Deep, is short in terms of songs, these songs are long and full of many passages of thrilling music.
The action begins with “By the Banks”. It almost sounds like when they were recording, the opening was a live first attempt. The music jumps out at you, at full gallop, and pulls you in, immediately. Keyboards, bass and lead guitar, amidst rumbling drums. Then angelic like vocals, reminiscent of early Yes, as Prestmo’s first vocals, “Hear me now. I’m calling”. “By the banks of this river wide. I stand silent”. Then, followed by deep bass and luxurious keyboards from a different age. Wonderous stories and music for sure. I could listen to these keyboards and Hammonds all day. A great mix of Yes and a little of Ray Manzarek of the Doors, underneath the power of the bold keys. The woodwinds fill the gaps and further give warmth and woodland folkloric sound to the music. The drums sound so much like Alan White, you’ll swear he is playing. A sound encompassing Yes, with Tony Banks on keyboards instead of Rick Wakeman’s futuristic sound. The kind of song you have wanted to hear for so long, but have been denied. A song, tribute to the rivers that run to the great waterfalls of Hønefoss. A definite keeper!
“Five Rooms”, opens with soft played keyboards, similar to those that you’ve just heard on the last song, only a much slower pace. The burgeoning sound is Yes – like, rising in fullness and magnification, with what sounds like pipe organ. Definitely takes you back to Going for the One or Time and a Word. The lead guitar work, sounds like Steve Howe, with perfect interventions from Chris Squire – like bass. A little more Fragile sound as the song develops, and that is a wonderful thing, indeed.
“Naiad Dreams”, is the perfect name for this song. Slow plucked acoustic guitar, reminiscent of the feel of “Mood for a Day”. Not as intricate as “Mood”, but every bit as wonderful. Prestmo sings, “Listen to the voices of the Naiad girls, dancing by the pool, where the mighty river swirls. Shielded by the bows of sweeping willow trees. Enchanted and bewildered as the ancient forest sleeps. Dreaming ancient forest dreams”. Perfect huh? I think so. The music that follows is a perfect reflection of what you might have heard, if you turned on your radio in 1974. The shortest song on the album at 4:25, but worth every drop of sound.
“Merry Macabre”, is the epic closer, at 19 minutes. It opens as all great epics do, with soft piano. Like something off Fragile, similar to Heart of the Sunrise, while retaining its new sound. Then, Prestmo sings about Apollo and Dionysus, and the pace picks up, just like every great Yes song. Every minute a masterpiece of wonder. A shining glimpse of the quietness that is “And You and I’. One of the best epic closers of the year!
It is wonderful when you find another great band you know you will be buying many albums from in the future. There are fewer and fewer bands making this wonderful 70s inspired, progressive music. Most everyone in my generation cherishes this music, and wishes more bands were making similar. I know music must progress, but sometimes the reflection and interpretations of future generations are just so excellent to hear.
Get this and all of Wobbler’s albums if you can. And enjoy and hear the quality of music that was made at the height of progressive rock’s popularity in the 1970s.
Track List
- By the Banks – 13:51
- Five Rooms – 8:28
- Naiad Dreams – 4:25
- Merry Macabre – 19:00
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