Kerrs Pink – Presence of Life
I love surprises. Especially when it comes to new music, in a year full of anticipated greatness. The fun continues, this time with Kerrs Pink’s, latest release, Presence of Life, which was released on March 4, 2021.
This Norwegian band is fantastic! They are made up of: Eirikur Hauksson, on lead vocals; Harald Lytomt, on guitars; Per Langsholt, on bass and Taurus bass pedals; Glenn Fosser, on Hammond, Mini Moog, accordion, and keyboards; Magne Johansen, on drums, and backing vocals; Lasse Johansen, on piano, Mini Moog, Mellotron, and keyboards; and Hans Jørgen Kvisler, on guitars.
What a wonderful surprise when I found out this album was coming out soon. The star of this band is Eirikur Hauksson, on lead vocals. Imagine someone with the vocals of Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan singing songs that might have been written by Fish of Marillion. Yes, that is the first impression I heard when I listened to the first couple tracks on this album. Then add the wonderful, jumps and starts you remember from early Jethro Tull. Hope I hooked you as well as their dramatic music hooked me immediately.
Yes, every song on this album is superb listening. The opener, “Resurrections”, is one of the better openers I’ve heard this year. Hearing Eirikur Hauksson’s Gillan-like vocals set to some of the best prog of the year so far was the perfect introduction to this band. The opening sounds of the accordion, sets you up for a sea adventure. In fact, it sounds like it’s going to be a sea shanty. But. Hauksson’s vocals take you climbing, up the mountain, “Little one, may you stand tall. May your roots grow strong. Fragile one, someday soon, you’ll lead on. Teaching right from wrong”. Powerful bass, lead electric guitar and Hammond lead on. The drumming is well paced. Deep, beautiful piano, Hackett-like lead electric, and instrumentation throughout, make this a top song.
The other stars of this band are the drummer, Magne Johansen. He has quite a kit as you can see in the picture below. The other major star is keyboardists Glenn Fosser and Lasse Johansen. You can hear all of their handywork on the second track, “Private Affairs”. It has too many highlights to mention. Hauksson’s Gillan-like vocals really shine on this one as well. But is that solid drum assault, and those golden keys that really make this engine roar.
“The Book of Dreams”, is not the Steve Miller classic you may have expected. But it is just as good. The lyrics are wonderful. Hauksson sings, “In the book of dreams, all is not quite as it seems. Open if you dare. But, interpret its word with utmost care”. One of the best songs on this album, and the year, so far. Hauksson sings, “Don’t load your mind with thoughts of darkness. Fill your soul with light. And read between the lines. You’ll find a happy ending there”. Later he sings, “Lean unto happy thoughts before you go to sleep. That’s the key to better dreams. It’s all in the mind. And yours to keep”. Perfect.
“Away from Shadows”, opens powerfully with electric guitar and drums. Like an anthem from the forest. The acoustic guitar takes you back to early ELP or Genesis. Hauksson sings, “I’m trying to cope with my fears. Tear down these walls I’ve built for years. Is there anybody out there to light up the path that I’ve chosen today…away from shadows?”. Both dramatic and powerful, a deep, soul searching song. A very Arena – like song, with dark themes.
“Luna”, is almost an anthem. The song is full of sounds and themes you might hear on an album from Procol Harum. Very grand and anthemic, like something off Grand Hotel.
“In Discipline and with Love”, is a powerful closer. The longest song on the album, it is full of all of those famous keyboard – driven sounds you remember from classic prog. Starting with piano, followed by Moog, and of course Mellotron. It is a story of homecoming for a song to his family. The power of the lessons learned from family and life demonstrated in song. Wonderful closing.
Beautiful Norwegian folk tunes set to progressive rock instrumentation. They only included six songs on this album, but lovingly gave them the time and instrumentation they needed to be considered classics already. A band with all of the sounds of some famous bands, including: Procol Harum, Deep Purple, and Genesis. Enjoy this as much as I did. It is well worth the time.
Tracks Listing
1. Resurrections – 9:14
2. Private Affairs – 5:44
3. The Book of Dreams – 9:29
4. Away from Shadows – 7:54
5. Luna – 4:03
6. In Discipline and with Love – 12:38
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