Double albums are hard to do. Usually, there’s enough first-rate music for a little more than one disc, and most listeners would much prefer that the artist had exercised a little self-censorship. Sometimes, however, a musician or band has so many great ideas that they can bring it off. Such is the case with Blomjud, by the Swedish progressive rock outfit Moon Safari. With the release of their latest album, Lover’s End (reviewed here), here’s my track-by-track review of Blomjud for those interested in the group’s previous work. Disc 1 is superb, on the same level as the band’s debut album, Doorway to Summer. “Constant Bloom” begins Blomjud with a minute and a half of the group’s trademark complex harmony vocals, done a capella. It’s very pretty. “Methusalah’s Children” begins quietly, with acoustic piano and acoustic guitar, and then other instruments join in, including a theremin-like synthesizer. The song then bursts forth into full rock mode but in an unusual time signature which moves along briskly and with a distinct bounciness. The vocal melodies are cheery and catchy, including more of the band’s engaging harmony vocals, and the music throughout the song reflects the group’s characteristic sunniness. “In the Countryside”
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