Over the past couple of years Sweden has gone through a renaissance in terms of Christian rock music with Jerusalem reforming (new album March '94), Cornerstone, Veni Domine working on its second album, Charizma, Jet Circus, XT and all the underground bands emerging.
Yes, Bjorn Stigsson (former Leviticus) is back with the second album from his new band, XT. XT (meaning Christ) features Bjorn on guitars, Sonny Larsson on vocals, Niklas Johnsson on keyboards, Mick Nordstrom on drums and P-O Larsson on bass. The album is well arranged and produced and definitely heavier than the bands debut.
Taxfree kicks off with "The One," a catchy rocker showing the listener from the very start that these dudes are very good songwriters. "Face To Face," probably one of the best tracks with a great hook and a melody you'll remember from the first listen. The next tune is "My First Morning," a nice acoustic ballad with some cool keyboard-effects and Sonny singing with great feel. It's one of those songs that send chills down your spine both musically and lyrically: "When I close my eyes, I can see images of you every time. You have opened my spiritual eyes." It's one of my wife's favorite songs on the album.
"Got Love" is a rocker with a great live feel -- bound to stick to your brain like feathers on a turkey. It's about being alone and looking for love and finding the only true love -- God. "The Silent Cry," a haunting ballad about child abuse: "When daddy does something that's wrong, mother just turns away her head."
"Carry On" starts with some heavy crunchin' guitar riffs that are gonna hit you straight between the eyes like a freight train, with Sonny singing in a somewhat lower register. The heaviest track on the album, "The False Prophet," starts quietly with some nice keyboard work and with an excellent acoustic guitar solo, crunchy rhythms and a strong chorus. The song is basically about Satan being a bad guy and the father of lies (which I guess most of you already know).
"Sign Of The Time" is another crunchy rocker igniting on all cylinders and letting the guitar wail. "Walk In The Shadows" begins with acoustic guitars that remind me of Queensryche. (Queensryche did a song with the same name. What is this? Rip off of the century? Just kidding!) The song has some heavy riffs, making it quite intense with less polished background vocals, which I personally like better. "One Way To Heaven" finishes off the album, a catchy keyboard-driven rocker: "I can see You standing, waiting by the golden gate/I am on my way to You on wings of life to the land of freedom."
Overall, I think it's a good album with strong melodies and great hooks. It shows that Bjorn and Sonny are excellent songwriters. Occasionally, though, I think the backing vocals and keyboards tend to make it sound a little too well polished. Sometimes less is more. Taxfree is definitely heavier than the band's debut, and it's a step in the right direction. And you know what, it's still a great album!