Album Mini-review: Siena Root — A Dream of Lasting Peace
File next to: Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Iron Butterfly
When Siena Root debuted with 2004’s A New Day Dawning, their music displayed a solid fixation with heavy, 1970s-style rock. The music was solid if a bit undistinguished. But in the decade to follow, the Swedish quintet honed its approach to a sharp point, and – after countless personnel changes – settled upon its current sound lineup. It’s all here: molten guitar lines, rumbling bass, roaring organ, thunderous drums, mock-heroic vocals. To those who love Machine Head-era Deep Purple and Uriah Heep circa Demons and Wizards, A Dream of Lasting Peace will be warmly received. Anyone who believes that all the primordial riffs have been spun will thrill to Siena Root; the musicians manage to sound fresh and new while wearing their shamelessly derivative hearts on their sleeve. Bonus points for the cover art’s clever, knowing take on both BÖC and Klaatu’s Sir Army Suit. – BK
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.