Wow, I could never have imagined that Swedish veteran hard rocker Baltimoore would return with their triumphant 9th album so quick. One thing I was surprised to see is that Baltimoore has already left Lion Music, and their new album has been released from a new label called BLP Music. Unless I got a notification from Baltimoore's stuff, I would never know their finest new album's release. I always thought that the relationship between Lion Music and Baltimoore would have continued in the future, but I do not investigate their departure from the former label much futher, period. Okay, back to the review of Kaleidoscope, I think 'Kaleidoscope' is one of best works this Swedish group has ever accomplished. Once again, the new album contains really fine good-times solid hard rock tracks I tell you. Amazingly, I notice that Kaleidoscope features more exciting and better performance than their previous album, 'Fanatical'. I could say that Kaleidoscope has surpassed what they have done before. Stylistically, the music on Kaleidoscope has volcanic energy and strong performance reminding me a bit of Rainbow/Deep Purple. But, please do not get me wrong. They are not trying to be like British Hard Rock giants at all, rather they are searching their own rock style with fresh minds and straight-forwardness. Except for some songs in certain periods of 1990's, Baltimoore pulls off hard-driving honest hard rock performance without relying on keyboards or organs. Moreover, Baltimoore's music centers around the lead vocalist, Bjorn Lodin's bluesy, yet soulful vocal melodies. They do not change anything, and not interests toward fancy contemporary stuffs. Baltimoore proves that playing great hard rock tunes with truely honest feeling and emotion. In particular, the guitar player of Baltimoore provides really nice guitar solos and passionate phrasings I really enjoy. Never betray, never give up on passionate hard rock souls. I really think their approach and honesty since their early stages have paid off on this new one. Over many years, there are many bands disappearing from the hard rock scene. But thankfully and fortunately, Baltimoore has been always with us. In particular, the second half of this album is simply amazing and great to hear. Of course, there is no filler or boring moments for people are into hard rock, esp., Scandinavian hard rock fans. Probably, Baltimoore has been getting tighter and doing really good jobs nowadays. It's always amazing to see the veteran musicians from Sweden offer something fresh and stay to the true music. Highly recommended for melodic hard rock music fans. Baltimoore's new accomplishment, Kaleidoscope, rocks so hard and heavy!

Kaleidoscope is the first Baltimoore album to be released on BLP Music, the label of Baltimoore main man Bjorn Lodin, who was miffed at the treatment the band had received from their previous label. Baltimoore is a Hard Rock band that has been around for quite a while, having released eight albums since 1987, with 2004's Fanatical being the most recent of the bunch. The twelve track Kaleidoscope looks to extend the Swedish band's popularity even further. If you're not familiar with Baltimoore, they play a fast-paced, energetic style of Hard Rock, with lots of catchy guitar riffs, enjoyable solos, bouncy, upbeat lyrics, and hard-hitting drums. Baltimoore is an unpretentious “good times” sort of band in the vein of stalwarts like AC/DC, but minus the sleaze. Lodin's vocals might remind you a bit of Bon Scott, though. Of the dozen tracks on Kaleidoscope, most of them are up-tempo and hard-hitting, like opener “To The Bone,” which gets things off to a strong start. The first four tracks are all melodic fast-movers, which don't stop to take a breath. Fifth track, “Wellaway,” sounds like one of those “ominous” tracks AC/DC used to record from time to time, and gives listeners a chance to rest a little before track six, “Take Me To The Power,” which sounds like AC/DC in full-out “party” mode; it's fast and very fun. The momentum keeps up with “Plug & Play Me,” which has a very nice chorus and a strong solo. The title's a bit silly, but this is an enjoyable song. “How Sick Is OK?” takes the foot off the gas a little, but the riffing and vocals are very solid. Kaleidoscope doesn't have a dull song on it. Your CD player's “skip” button won't get used very much (or at all) while this disc is playing. The last three tracks aren't quite as good as the nine that precede them, but they're still solid enough; even the ballad-ish “Miracle” is worthy, and “Timepiece” has a nice Bluesy groove to it. “In The Name Of Love” closes things out respectably. Musically, Kaleidoscope is well-played, and Lodin's production job is quite solid. The only problem with the overall package is the album's cover art, which looks kind of murky and might make some people think that this album is darker than it really is. Either that, or Lodin is a Quake fan. Kaleidoscope is the first of three albums that Baltimoore plans on releasing between now and April 2007, with the next due some time in October 2006. Hopefully they'll be as good as this one!

Der schwedische Frechdachs Björn Lodin hat meines Wissens noch nie einen Arbeitsnachweis abgeliefert, der auch nur ansatzweise als halbgar abgetan werden könnte. Der kompromisslose Sänger hat den Rock’n’Roll intus wie der Papst den Heiligen Geist und scheißt seit vielen Jahren auf jeden Trend und prescht seine Boogie-Affinität regelmäßig so was von heißhungrig raus, dass einem regelmäßig die Lauscher klingeln. „Kaleidoscope“ föhnt extrem frisch und dennoch verdammt sauber ausgearbeitet daher, dass man die Mannschaften von AC/DC, Krokus und Nazareth gleichsam vor dem geistigen Auge sieht, wie sie BALTIMOORE, also Björn Lodin, kollektiv Beifall klatschen, während er seine Sessions zu der neuen Scheibe abhält. Hier gibt’s wahrlich rein gar nicht Neues zu bestaunen, aber es beeindruckt schon sehr, wie glänzend man die althergebrachten Rohstoffe auch noch heute zu einem mitreißenden Mix einschmelzen kann. Daumen hoch für Björn Lodin! 11 von 13 Augen

Opener ‘To The Bone’ gives a good indicator of what to expect with its big riffs, upbeat delivery and infectious hooks. ‘Journeyman’ is slightly heavier yet eases off for a glorious vocal delivery from Lodin, working superbly over the sustained chords, be sure to listen to also listen out for Hilden’s superb drum work here, simple yet driving the track on all the time. ‘Familiar Stranger’ is slower in tempo and also darker in nature with a divine chorus which sees Lodin playing vocal tennis with his lines. Stefan Bergström solo is superb with bite, restraint and nice melodic lines mixed with great vibrato. ‘Fix My Sin’ is an obvious single choice with its upbeat delivery and huge chorus. Opening with a mix of drum and bass laying down a groove before Lodin and the rest of the band kick in working the verse before the stunning pre-chorus sees vocal and guitar intertwine before the god like chorus sees Lodin’s earthy vocals working with Bergstrom’s slide work, probably the most accessible track on the album and begging for radio play. ‘Wellaway’ is another darker track yet is very original in its progressions and Lodin again works his magic with the lyrics, and also adding quite a lot of soul in the track. Not one of the most accessible tracks on the album but repeated plays sees it stand out as a highlight, and be sure to check out the excellent video at the bands website. ‘Take Me To The Power’ is a high tempo rocker where the energy levels reach boiling point, another excellent pre-chorus builds to the anthemic main chorus and in a few ways the track has the same sort of feel, albeit slightly more up-tempo, as the title track on Fanatical. ‘Plug And Play Me’ is another totally infectious track that demands the volume on your stereo be dimed, great verse, great bridge and chorus coupled with superb guitar work from start to finish. ‘How Sick Is Ok’ (great title) sees the mood slow down for a blues drenched track, guitar work is quite traditional yet Lodin’s melodies give the track its own unique flavour. Another great chorus coupled with that guitar tone…heaven. ‘Crybaby’ is one of the more commercial numbers on the album, and has an approach that even modern skate punk fans could get into, suitably the track contains some cool wah work from Bergstrom. ‘Timepiece’ with its rolling riff reminded me a little of Zakk Wylde meets early Sabbath yet there is more variety here vocally and musically than what Ozzy would come up with. ‘Miracle’ is what you would call the ballad of the album and it’s a stunner, predominantly acoustic led which really allows Lodin’s vocals to shine through the terrific melodies and lyrics, if this where to make mainstream radio I have no doubts the band would have a big hit on their hands. ‘In The Name Of Love’ begins with some finger picked chord work (reminiscent of ‘Gimme Shelter’ by the Rolling Stones) before the track kicks in, and it kicks in hard. The track has a few different personalities as it progresses from verse through to chorus which is another blinder and a nice way to wrap up the album. As you may have gathered ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a killer release that is as good as ‘Fanatical’ in most departments and better in the remaining ones, simply said Hard Rock has a band here that deserves your attention, deserves your money and deserves to be more well known than the band currently are. This is an essential slice of hard rock that simply isn’t being done in this style anywhere else including the big guns. In short, "addictive as hell". Rating: 99% May 2005 Album Of The Month