If you haven’t been listening to The Audioeclectica podcast, then you’re really doing yourself a huge disservice. One of the episodes that we did was on side projects and one band that was mentioned was The Night Flight Orchestra. Now this is a hard rock band that has members of Soilwork, Arch Enemy, Mean Streak, and Kadwatha. Let’s take a look….
Internal Affairs- while on tour with Soilwork, vocalist Björn Speed Strid and guitarist David Andersson began talking about things like what was considered classic rock or not, getting arrested in a lobby wearing nothing but leather pants, and rock n roll conspiracies. They both decided that these scenarios real or not, needed a soundtrack so they enlisted Sharlee D’ Angelo (Arch Enemy) and a couple other musicians and made the album Internal Affairs. The result yes is a very 70’s sounding rock album. Think Foreigner meets Journey (but better because Journey sucks that’s right I said what I said) meets Deep Purple, etc. You can tell that this band is having fun so I’ll give this album 9.5/10
Standouts: Siberian Queen, Transatlantic Blues, 1998
Skyline Whispers- I feel like they were definitely influenced by bands like Deep Purple with this one. It’s as if they took 70’s era Deep Purple and added in some funk and pop. It’s a really fun and cool album and it’s definitely one of those that’ll make you start the record over once it’s finished. I’ll give this 10/10
Standouts: Sail On, Lady Jade, Roads Less Traveled
Amber Galactic- this is one of those albums that gives you visuals of being in space and it’s absolutely one of those records that sort of takes you on a journey. Records like this are a lot of fun and when it came to the making of this album, Björn Strid said “Amber Galactic was made during late nights and way too early mornings, when sometimes, in the corner of your eye, you can catch a glimpse of another dimension, where all the women are heartbroken space commanders in evening gowns, the champagne is always free and the drugs won’t hurt you. We wanted to create more than just a listening experience, instead we want it to be an alternative reality. We hope that after listening to Amber Galactic, you’ll be wide-eyed, horny and slightly drunk.” I’ll give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Midnight Flyer, Gemini, Sad State Of Affairs
Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough- while this one is comparatively slower, it still another fun listen. This one is of you took bands like Boston, Supertramp, Toto, and KISS, this is the album you’d get. This is one of those albums that’s perfect to listen to while doing stuff. I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough, Paralyzed, This Time
Aeromantic- this one is part of a saga which would continue with the next record. The concept for this record is bittersweet reality, heartbreak, and illusions of a high flying jet-set lifestyle. I’d say if I could get rid of one song it would have to be the opener. It just seems like they had to pick a random song. I’ll give it 8/10
Standouts: This Boy’s Last Summer, Transmissions, Taurus
Aeromantic II- the second part of the saga and yes it is definitely one of those albums that you can listen to right after the previous one. When it comes to the album, the band states “Aeromantic II is about circling around the globe in the stratosphere, never wanting to land. A continuation of the journey we started all these years ago. The Swedish melancholy and the simultaneous love of life, creating a new alternative world for all the restless souls out there. We know that you are there. We feel you. And the Night Flight Orchestra will guide you into a better place. Where the nights are made of Chardonnay and every day is burning. Just take our hands and flounce about with us in the twillight zone, where everything is possible.” I’m giving this one 8/10
Standouts: Midnight Marvelous, Chardonnay Nights, White Jeans
Give Us The Moon- out of the albums thus far, this one has to be the most 80’s sounding. It’s very synth yet has a good amount of hooks. Of course it’s about things like taking a jet-setting journey, nighttime escapism, and even galactic exploration. One thing that makes this such a cool album is that it almost feels cinematic with the airport announcements in between the songs. Overall, another really fun record and I’m giving it 8.5/10
Standouts: Stratus, Paloma, Runaways
At the end of the day, this is a really fun band with really great albums. You can absolutely tell that they are having a fun time with these albums and if you’re looking for that classic rock sound but with a modern feel then definitely check out The Night Flight Orchestra.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Skyline Whispers
- Internal Affairs
- Amber Galactic
- Aeromantic II
- Give Us The Moon
- Aeromantic
- Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough
