AIRBAG – A Day in the Studio / Unplugged in Oslo
- Posted on 02-11-2021
What we have here is a beautiful-sounding acoustic live set where the talented Norwegian proggers perform a few tracks from their stellar "A Day at the Beach" album (2020) as well as a couple of classic cuts from their back catalogue and even a previously unreleased gem titled "Come on In". Given that the band was unable to tour following the release of the aforementioned "A Day at the Beach" thanks to the dreadful pandemic, they came up with the idea of recording an acoustic show at a recording studio and I must say that the result is utterly satisfying.
With the absence of a crowd this is truly one of those showcases where the music speaks for itself and where the focus rests on the passionate delivery of the songs and the interplay and chemistry between the members of the trio. There is a prominent sense of intimacy to the proceedings but the volcanic emotions that course through Airbag’s material are neither subtle nor subdued. From bleak and brooding to cinematic in scope and also confoundingly poetic, the pieces may sound somewhat gentle on the surface of things, but they glisten with emotional intensity and passion. With its warm and crisp sound, there is absolutely no reason why you should not add this neat little LP/DVD (or CD/DVD if you prefer that option) package to your collection – especially if Pink Floyd-inspired prog rock turns you on. For me as a fan, this one works on so many levels simply because it adds a fresh perspective to their already impressive compositions and also sheds a new light on some of the more intricate details within them. Recommended!