This is one of the most peculiar and strange albums that I have come across this year. "Bydyra" by Norwegian prog rockers Tusmørke is a…well, fuck me, I am not even sure exactly what this is or how to classify it. It is basically like a musical of sorts for children yet the topics and themes covered go deep and are actually pretty thought-provoking and serious. Musically, we are talking progressive folk rock here, but of a different kind altogether.

 

It has a magical vibe to it, but the lyrics cover the current financial crisis, global warming, and similar heavy-duty issues. Pretty cool, eh? However, I reckon that "Bydyra" is one of those unique albums that will either appeal to you or not, which is to say that you will either dig it or loathe it. Some might deem this a childish record, but it is a captivating and charming opus that is so far removed from every other prog release out there that you simply owe it to yourself to check it out just to see if it stirs any emotions in you or not.

 

The musicianship is excellent and the songs manage to conjure up an enchanting atmosphere, but "Bydyra" is not something that I could ever listen to on a regular basis. It does require a certain mood and frame of mind on the part of the listener, much more so than countless other releases out there, but should you find yourself on the lookout for something totally different, there are worse places to look than here. But again, you need to approach it with an open mind. If nothing else, this is a brave and bold record and I applaud Karisma Records for putting it out.