If it wasn't for EdibleChrist introducing me to the R.I.O.- Rock In Opposition- genre, I never would have come across these guys. Sammla Mammas Manna has gone through multiple line up changes and even a few name changes, but this album, their 2nd, seems to sum up this early 70's Swedish Prog/Rio sound to a "T".
Maltid has a huge mix of all musical styles combined in one single direct approach for an all encompassing sound. The vocals are in Swedish, and since I don't speak Swedish, I have no idea what they are saying; but since they use their vocals as more of an instrument and not as a "main sound" it fits in perfectly. (Seriously, they could be talking about unicorns or the newest Swedish dance hit for all I know.) The great thing about this album, and alot of the early 70's European RIO/prog sound, is the fact that all the instruments being played, are being played very well. You get to hear solos on various instruments, and the drumming is really quite advanced when you think of the time period when it was made. Since the time signatures change and the instrumentation is weaving in and out of each other, the percussion is a constant throughout, not including their own solos. Guitars, bass, pianos, xylophones, and more are used to provide you with a sense of music based comradeship that melts into a dynamic sound that will keep the most avid music fan and the most hyper ADHD child enthralled with interest.
RIO is a genre that you have to acquire a taste for. Not for the standard music fan, this album and the genre as a whole, will be highly respected by some, and greatly disliked by others. If you enjoy divers music, you'll love RIO and if you like RIO, you must get this album.
Official score-4/5
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