Independent CD Review

Krister Axel
Arms Around the River
Genre: Rock
Style: Southern Rock

Born in Paris in 1974, Krister Axel is a self taught musician, poet, and songwriter based out of Las Angeles. Starting on the piano, he eventually discovered the guitar. His appealing, gravely, voice is the perfect delivery apparatus for his roots based southern rock music.

Arms Around the River came out in 2007, and this review of it is long over due (my apologies, Krister). A collection of songs written over a period of few months on 2005, it reflects the sorrow and hope of those who have survived tragedy.

The album, itself, is incredibly well produced. The sound quality is excellent and music is a perfect accompaniment to long road trips, and days when you just want some quiet.

"Head in the Rains" opens the album, introducing the earthy sound that is Krister Axel. It offers a smooth and classic southern rock sound. It's the perfect opening track for what awaits us.

Track two, "True Believer," kicks in with an infectious beat and rock solid percussion. This solid rocker is probably my most favorite from the album. It's certainly the one that keeps ringing in my head. I would have liked to hear the lead guitar a little more in the mix at the end, but otherwise the production is amazing.

"Stay" comes in on track 3 with some great piano work and a wonderfully mellow guitar. The vocals get a little rough in the upper register, though, when Krister enters his falsetto range. It's a nice ballad with a great message of, "Don't worry, just stay and the bad stuff will be over soon." I love the electric piano and delay effects.

Opening with simple acoustic guitar and vocals, "Holland Park Road" comes in as track 4. Over time the drums creep in, and then fully click at the chorus. It's another nice ballad with a melancholy, but still hopeful, lyric.

Track 5, another nice ballad called "Southern Girl" opens with some very nice guitar work. The song builds slowly between keyboards and guitar, reflecting a longing to return to the "southern girl."

"Something Beautiful" comes on track 6 with minimal backing instrumentation and a nice easy groove. It felt like it wanted to break out of it's boundaries at times but, instead maintained a easy groove throughout.

Returning to a more solid and interesting percussion line, and more full instrumentation, "Always a Circle" is an interesting song of change, and the desire to return home to the familiar, with moderate groove.

Track 8, "I'm the Gun," kicks things off with some nice rhythm guitar work that also brings the tempo up a bit. Well constructed with alternating instrumentation and drum riffs add a lot of musical interest. The Nashville/blues influences clearly shine through. Great backing vocals, and some interesting vocal layering, add and extra dimension at the end.

"Bedroom Eyes" offers a mid-tempo ballad / love song for track 9. A tight, quasi-military snare drum adds an unexpected extra punch to the mix. In spite of it's moderate tempo, it makes you want to move.

The last track, "Impeach Bush" is a political song that made me think of an updated Woody Guthrie. A wonderful classic electric keyboard sound dominates, while some EQ was placed on vocals, creating mix that is very different than the rest of the album, which made me wonder a bit. The vocal is a lot farther back, and the keyboard is right up front. "Somethin' about George don't seem right" to Krister Axel and he delivers that message in a very appealing and musically solid way.

Krister Axel's Arms around the River is a solid southern rock album that has rightfully earned a permanent place in my CD collection, and has become a frequent visitor in my car's CD player.

You can find more from Krister Axel and his music at his MySpace page and his website. His music can be purchased at CD Baby.