Hasse Froiberg Musical Collective - Powerplay reissue 2026 - Progressive Voyages Review PV086
This album makes available again the second album from The Flower King’s Hasse Froibergs Musical Collective's Sophomore album Poweplay originally released 2012, In a Remastered slightly expanded version for this year's reissue of this long unavailable album that continues to reach the high standards set by earlier releases like Future Past (2010) Hmfc (2012) Parallel life (2019), we Are The Truth (2021) and Eternal Snapshots (2024).
Hasse Froiberg's music is a little different to the sound of The Flower Kings yet it still retains some Progressive Tendencies, it is a little more AOR at times.
This reissue contain an extra 2 live versions of song from the album, namely Venice CA and White Butterfly, this is in addition to the original 9 tracks that were feafured on the original release back in 2012,
The commences with My River To Cross, which is one the albums longer tracks at just over ten minutes in duration, in this we get a fair sense of the musical style of HFMC, strong guitars, great keyboards and great vocals, all with great musical passages and sections, I especially like how they use the organ sounds in conjunction with the guitar and the overall sound is very lush and full.
The vocals are all very clear and sound excellent, there is some real skill and talent within this group of musicians and the music they offer is something to really enjoy and appreciate, This first song encompasses everything that is good about the band as it is a great opening track A very strong opening statement for the band.
This is followed by unbelievably an even better track in The Chosen Ones which takes thing up a level with this tremendous sounding track, With its dreamy opening vocal and hard hitting riff and then elegant synthesiser lines and great guitar lines, 5he song speaks of man's accomplishments stating how we can put a man on the moon but cannot resolve certeain fundamental problems across life,the song addresses the issue if man's inability to be satisfied with what he has.
The Final Hour is next which is the albums longest track at 12::29 in length this sprawling epic is another song about being satisfied in life and how making time to see beauty is so important for a balanced outlook on life, This has a long keyboard solo in the middle section with a great piano and flute (keyboard) part and great interactions between keyboards Bass and guitars,
I do like the dynamics of this track and how it all sounds asIt is excellent, A really impressive sounding track.
The World Keeps Turning is up next, this is a far shorter and punchy song, with a unusual vocal line that sounds good, As does they great keyboards sounds and synth sounds used, there is also a killer guitar solo in this track, another stunning track.
Venice CA is next in a live version of the album track, This song is an warm affectionate celebration of the lifestyle that is enjoyed in Venice Beach with its colourful characters and its casual atmosphere and attitudes all with the Pacific ocean as a backdrop, it is a great song.
Waves is next, This song disappointed me as I expected it to be heading somewhere as it has an interesting build, Hoewver sadly that wasn't utilised fully and the song seemed to fizzle out unfulfilled, A wasted opportunity in my opinion.
White Butterfly fared better especially in its live interpretation, Where the fabulous Rhodes piano adds depth and colour to a generally acoustic track, Here the piano gives it a greater dignity and makes a strong impression I really liked this song.
Overall I would say that this is an excellent collection of material with great songs and performances from all the band.
Definitely worthwhile.
Info here: www.hmfcband.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Friday 13th March 2026.