SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES - Communion 2CD

Highly recommended.

Sweden's The Soundtrack Of Our Lives are a band for whom prevailing trends are meaningless. It's not that they're ignored as much as the sextet don't even know they exist. TSOOL live in a world where tie-dye and kaftans remain the fashion accessories of choice, where credibility is an irrelevance and musical ability is celebrated rather than seen as flamboyant conceit. The stance means TSOOL will never achieve widespread recognition but I'm pretty sure they don't care.

As every self-respecting double album should Communion is built around a concept but is, thankfully, much looser than most: something around the 24 tracks and the number of hours in a day, coupled with the oppression of everyday life and the search for salvation. It matters little as Communion's content is as powerful when heard individually as collectively. The only incongruous aspect is the artwork which is best described as spooky. Pictures of happy, smiling, beautiful people and depictions of an idyllic family life raise questions around cults and brainwashing and the possibility of Communion containing hidden meanings and, if that's your bag, have at it. Personally the music is enough.