MUSIC OBSERVER: CROSS

CROSS

Crossover Prog

Sweden

The career of this Swedish band spans over 8 albums (including a mini-symphony cd) released between 1988 and 2004. Their music has evolved from smooth, floydian like to dark, almost Crimsonesque proportions over the years. Their style could generally be described as heavy, complex neo-prog with a strong emphasis on melody. The band was founded by ex-VON LYX guitarist Hansi Cross whose highly emotional guitar work (sometimes reminiscent of Steve Hackett's) gives the band a sound approaching that of IT BITES. As for Cross' vocals, they are slightly reminiscent of Dave GILMOUR's.

Their first three albums - which are grouped on the compilation disk "Dream Reality" -offer a mixture of long epics interspersed with a few pop songs; they are mostly reminiscent of PINK FLOYD and TWELFTH NIGHT, and perhaps to some extent GENESIS circa "Wind and Wuthering" but with a heavy approach. The following four albums (starting with "Paradox") are heavier, darker, and somewhat akin to RUSH, ECHOLYN or ANEKDOTEN. They feature long melodic guitar solos with spacious keyboards but also bear enough time signatures to remind you of KING CRIMSOM. Their latest release, "Playgrounds", is a bit more tame and spacey.

Not essential but the first three albums may interest you if you're into GALLEON or GRAND STAND. The heavier sound of their later albums will appeal more to fans of ANEKDOTEN, LANDBERK and MORTE MACABRE.

Lise (HIBOU), CANADA

ALBUMS:

1998 - VISIONARY FOOLS

Musicians

- Olle Siljeholm / organ, synthesizers, backing vocals
- Robert Iversen / drums, percussion, guttural noises
- Hansi Cross / lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, additional keyboards, mandolin
- Lollo Andersson / bass, taurus, backing vocals

Guest appearence:
- Jock "Tai" Millgårdh / backing vocals

Tracks Listing

1. The Riddle (8:49)
2. White Lies Dark Truth (6:36)
3. Deep (0:56)
4. In a Question Mark (9:21)
5. The Earl of Doncaster (2:43)
6. Walls (2:39)
7. Pain (3:43)
8. New Dimensions (12:06)

Total Time: 46:53

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2000 - Secrets

Musicians

- Hansi Cross / guitars, keyboards, vocals
- Lollo Andersson / bbasses
- Tomas Hjort / drums, percussion

With:
- Olov Andersson / keyboards
- Tai / vocals
- Lizette von Panajott / vocals
- Lars Borgström / cello

Tracks Listing

1. Bleeding in silence (8:05)
2. Little one (1:43)
3. The core (8:21)
4. Awakening (5:26)
5. Changed reality (8:33)
6. Pall of illusion (3:29)
7. Welcome to Utopia (14:16)

Total Time: 53:53

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2004 - PLAYGROUNDS

Musicians

- Hansi Cross / guitars, keyboards, vocals, percussion
- Lollo Andersson / basses
- Tomas Hjort / drums, harmony vocals

With:
- Olov Andersson / keyboards, harmony vocals
- Lizette von Panajott / harmony vocals (1,5,7)
- Göran Johnsson / percussion, harmony vocals (4,5,7)
- Göran Fors / taurus, harmony vocals (3,7)
- Hannah / electric violin (4)
- Linus Kåse / Soprano saxophone (3,5)
- Robert Iversen / percussion (5)
- Alex / percussion (3,4)

Tracks Listing

1. Let The Play Begin... (7:37)
2. Dejá Vù (4:36)
3. A New Beginning (10:10)
4. The Battle Of Thalÿma (5:31)
5. ...And Enter The Game (9:44)
6. Fjärilshonung (0:51)
7. Mesmerizing Enterprize (15:20)

Total Time: 53:49

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2009 - THE THRILL OF NOTHINGNESS

Musicians

Hansi Cross - guitars, lead vox, additional keyboards
Göran Johnsson - keyboards, harmony vox, tambourine
Lollo Andersson - basses
Tomas Hjort - drums, percussion

Guests:

Bruno Edling - vox (1[, 2:5])
Tomas Bodin - mini moog (7)
Kent Kroon - acoustic guitar (7)
[Robert Iversen - cymbals (2:7)
Olov Andersson - thalÿmian synths (2:7)

Tracks Listing