DOBBELTGJENGER: Limbohead (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Dobbeltgjenger is the project of Norwegian musicians playing in various collectives, including Sondre Veland, the drummer of Ossicles and Major Parkinson, two particularly exciting bands that perfectly embody the originality and quality that Norwegian bands regularly demonstrate. The quartet released a first record in 2016 with a hard-hitting and very encouraging "When I've Gone To Space". They are back with a second record which is titled "Limbohead".

Those who know "When I've Gone To Space" will easily notice that "Limbohead" is not quite the same. The first try of the Norwegians developed a powerful rock with progressive outlines whereas "Limbohead" offers short and compact formats in a rather light pop-rock spirit. Dobbeltgjenger takes the side of the control and releases only reasonably an energy and a heaviness which appear in certain tracks ('In Limbo'). The consistency of these two albums lies in a retro component subtly modernized and shaped by an excellent Vegard Wikne with impressive voices who sings soul ('Mangrove'), funk, pop or rock with the same easiness.

The music that Dobbeltgjenger has put in "Limbohead" is above all eclectic and refreshing because it is based on simple riffs and elementary measures, without any harmonic virtuosity or entanglement of sequences. The quartet shines in the composition of songs with an immediate impact and heady vocal gimmicks, always placing the right melody and the little variation that goes well. "Limbohead" can be listened to over and over again with a pleasure each time intact thanks to the variety of its music which goes from funky pop ('Keep'Em Coming') or boosted during the chorus ('Tin Foil Hat'), to the mariachi music ('Calling Tokyo') passing by the folk ('Locking My Doors') or the energetic alternative rock ('Like Monroe', 'Swing', 'Radio'), groovy ('Mangrove') and dark ('In Limbo').

With such heterogeneous musicians it is almost logical that Dobbeltgjenger's music is marked by the seal of variety. In two very different albums, the Norwegians prove their open-mindedness and their gift to compose both direct and more elaborated rock. The strong potential of this band allows us to have great hopes if the musicians decide to make it a lasting and fertile project. - Official website

DOBBELTGJENGER

LIMBOHEAD

KARISMA RECORDS

ROCK