Bring on the contender and first major progressive rock release of 2022!
Jonas Lindberg and the Other Side, with the album, Miles From Nowhere, being released on February 18th, 2022. This progressive rock project emanates from Stockholm, Sweden. The project was founded in 2012, and they already have a discography of three critically acclaimed albums: In Secret Pace-EP (2008); The Other Side-EP (2013); and Pathfinder (2015).
The band is made up of Jonas Lindberg, on bass, keyboards, guitars, lead & backing vocals; Jonas Sundqvist, on lead vocals; Jenny Storm, on lead & backing vocals; Jonathan Lundberg, on drums; Simon Wilhelmsson, on drums on “Little Man” & “Oceans Of Time”; Calle Stålenbring, on guitars; Nicklas Thelin, on guitars; Maria Olsson, on percussion; Joel Lindberg, on lead guitar on “Why I’m Here”; and Roine Stolt, on lead guitar on “Miles From Nowhere”. Yes, a stellar line-up indeed. One of the many reasons I am placing this on the top of my progressive rock list of albums for 2022, so far. We will see how it holds up by December. There is a lot of great music to come.
But this an excellent album. I hear a lot of modern Kansas in the opener, “Secret Motive Man”, which is not a bad thing at all. I really enjoyed Kansas’ last two albums. This one is full of Lindberg’s amazing keyboards, but plenty of electric guitar, bass and drums. In fact, the opening almost confuses you with a metal like guitar riff, before Lindberg’s keyboards take center stage. Jonathan Lundberg also plays some amazing drums as well. The raised vocals remind me most of the last Kansas album with Ronnie Platt.
“Little Man”, is the story of how you may confront your inner child, telling you to stop and question your goals in life. It is another excellent rocker that opens with wonderful acoustic guitar. Warm electric guitar, bass, and drums join in to set the course for the melody. A fun song that will warm hearts. More of that Kansas sound, which is excellent, since it will probably be a year or two before a new album from them. Those keyboards take me back to Tony Banks, mixed well with Tom Brislin, from Kansas. When the band vocalists combine and sing together, it takes me right back to the feeling of “Memories Down the Line”.
“Summer Queen”, opens with a spacey, otherworldly organ and keyboard bonanza that now jettisons the feeling of first two songs, as the band progresses from the Kansas sound to something exquisitely different. There is even a little Pink Floyd organ work hidden in here and it is wonderful to hear. This is what I was expecting! Then, the acoustic guitar and foot stepping takes over. A female singer enters the stage, Jenny Storm, to provide variety and presence to the best song on the album. There is an excellent electric guitar solo at the midpoint, which helps reinforce this as the best track. A trip through the natural seasons that you will want to come back to often.
Jonas Lindberg sings “Oceans Of Time”, a story about a relationship ending; taking the form of a ship on stormy seas. It opens with excellent synthesizers, organ, drums, orchestration, bass, and lead electric guitar. They all brew up a stormy sea indeed. Later on, the second male vocalist has a voice that reminds me a little of Dennis DeYoung. So, add a little Styx to the sound you hear. Yes, “Come Sail Away”.
“Astral Journey”, is a folky instrumental track based on acoustic guitar patterns. I hear a little Led Zeppelin III, mixed well with some of Arjen Lucassen’s early work. This tune features Jonas on most instruments as well as percussion landscapes painted by Maria Olsson and Jonathan Lundberg.
“Why I’m Here”, is a short progressive song in 7/8 time about stalking. It is sung by Lindberg. “Why I’m Here” also features lead guitar from Jonas’s brother Joel.
“Miles From Nowhere”, is a 25:32-minute masterpiece closer, reviving the tradition of placing an epic at the end of an album. It is another song about a broken relationship, and rebuilding after the fall. The opening, ”Overture” is led by a whistle sound on keys, then a full and surrounding synth and keyboards soundscape fills the ears. The second part opens with drums, deep bass and keyboards, before Jonas Sundqvist begins singing along to the guitar work provided by Nicklas Thelin. The instrumental that follows is pure Kansas or Deep Purple, which ever band you think uses more organ sounds better. Jenny Storm returns in the background. The finale ends with an epic guitar solo from ‘The Flower King’ himself, Mr. Roine Stolt!
This album is a wonderful start to the 2022 progressive rock albums year. A keyboard lovers dream, but still, plenty of heavy electric guitars, bass and drums. There is a song here for everyone. You can even hear the familiar vocal harmonies, from your favorite Yes classic album memories. The progressive fans will love “Summer Queen”, and the massive closing title track. Pop, rock, and Kansas fans will love the similarities they hear in the music and vocals. Styx fans will like the vocal similarities that make an appearance from time to time. Get this album and kick off a year of fabulous progressive music…that is yet to come!
Track List
Secret Motive Man – 7:26
Little Man – 5:49
Summer Queen – 15:52
Oceans of Time – 11:37
Astral Journey – 5:50
Why I’m Here – 4:26
Miles from Nowhere – 25:32
PT I – Overture
PT II – Don’t Walk Away
PT III – I Don’t Know Where You Are
PT IV – Memories
PT V – Miles From Nowhere
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