For nearly seven years, Children of the Sun has been delivering their own brand of rock n’ roll to the masses. To categorize them would be doing them a huge injustice, especially since their deliver has grown and evolved over the years. From the flower power throwback rock of their breakout self-titled EP to the dark, pensive, and haunting sound of Roots, Children of the Sun grew by leaps and bounds bringing us into yet a new chapter of their story, Leaving Ground, Greet the End.
Leaving Ground, Greet the End kicks things off with the infectious, toe-tapping, head-nodding balls out rocker, “SUGAR (Shape of a Gun) that channels the psychedelic groove the Jefferson Airplane. It’s such a quick paced rocker that I felt a bit winded by the end of it and I didn’t even do anything but not and smile while listening to it. “Come With Us” is a bit of the same vibe but carries it’s own identity. The ability to carry a consistent vibe between songs that sound distinct from each other is not an easy thing to do but Children of the Sun pull it off flawlessly.
The show stopper for me is the song “Lilium.” This song is a breathtaking display of multiple influences such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and ABBA (yes, I said ABBA) that is brought together to create an ethereal, lush, and nearly spiritual listening experience. The powerful voice of vocalist Josifina Ekholm is hands down Children of the Sun’s secret weapon on this song as it sounds like she was just waiting for the right moment to hit the big red button and let it explode. This is also where the band shines as well. Guitarist Jacob Hellenrud steps up to the plate proudly to deliver guitar work and a solo that would put a huge grin on the face of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. The steady yet flowing rhythm section of drummer Johan Lööf and bassist Ida Wahl and the choir style vocals of Wilma As and Ottilia Berglund Ekholm complete the recipe that showcases a band putting everything they have into a song and leaving nothing on the cutting room floor. I could write about this song all day long but as with any other truly great song, you either can’t find the words to describe it or you find ALL of the words to describe it.
Children of the Sun went and did a very daring thing on Leaving Ground, Greet the End. They chose to tread upon sacred ground and cover the Led Zeppelin classic, “Whole Lotta Love.” Even as a long time fan when I saw this, I bit my bottom lip a bit and thought, “This is either going to be great or it’s going to be a train wreck.” Expecting to hear that signature opening riff come in with balls out abandon, I was taken back by hearing it creep in slowly like someone walking in a dark, haunted house with nothing but a torch and a wish and a prayer. Instead of going at it note for note, Children of the Sun chose to come at it from a psychedelic, soul infused groove making it all their own. Eklholm once again delivers a powerful, soulful, and even sensual delivery that could peal paint off of walls and move even the most jaded of Rock N’ Roll fans.
Leaving Ground, Greet the End is not only Children of the Sun’s best work to date. It’s one of the finest pieces of Rock N’ Roll I’ve ever heard. As cliche as it might sound, Leaving Ground, Greet the End is a modern classic album. Every note, every riff, every word, and every phrase had me hanging on to it for dear life and not wanting to let go. As of my seventh listen in two days, I can honestly say that this album is truly a masterpiece in the truest sense of the word. The diversity, soul, and charisma of the songs make Leaving Ground, Greet the End a certifiable banger that any fan of great, earnest, and sincere Rock N’ Roll would feel honored to have in their collection. Unfortunately, Children of the Sun have set the bar so high that I wonder if they will be able to top this one. At the rate they’re moving, they will no doubt continue to set the bar higher and higher not only making it more challenging for themselves, it will be challenge to many of their peers as well.
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