Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock	Produced By: Sonny Larsson & Bjorn Stigsson
Record Label: Viva	Country Of Origin: Sweden
Year Released: 1993	Artist Website:
Tracks: 12	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 45:53

Taxfree has the high-end lead vocals, expert songwriting and commercial subtleties of a well-honed melodic hard rock album.  The Viva Records 1993 released sophomore partnering between front man Sonny Larsson and guitarist Bjorn Stigsson is bookended by the pop based Swedish duos 1992 self-titled debut and behemoth like heavy metal of 1995 third Extended Empire (both also Viva).  XT traces to 1990 when subsequent to the final show (at the time) of Stigsson’s previous band Leviticus, the two decided to take a year off from music to attend Bible school.  Fast forward to 1991, and Stigsson and Larsson begin work on the demo material that paved the way for the three nineties era XT albums.

Musically, I do not think it is out of line to suggest if Leviticus had not disbanded but rather released a fifth studio album, it would not be far removed from Taxfree.  More specifically, if into final two Leviticus albums Knights Of Heaven (1989) and Setting Fire To The Earth (1987) not to mention Stigsson’s very fine 1989 solo release Together With Friends (of which Larsson fronted five tracks), I see Taxfree appealing to your tastes.  To drive further the point home, other points of reference include commercial hard rock contemporaries Guardian, Fear Not, Novella and Idle Cure not to mention the AOR tinged 1986 debut to Larsson’s inaugural band Motherlode, The Sanctuary.

Short opening instrumental “Chaos” gives way to “The One”, an uplifting three and half minutes embodying the XT melodic hard rock sound.  Burnished keyboards play a decided role (noting the unwavering verse sections), as does choice rhythm guitar (adorning the lighthearted refrain).  Larsson showcases his pristine, classic tenor vocal abilities.

Following cut “Face To Face” comes across as an AOR tinged semi ballad.  Variances present in the process, starting with moody, lightsome moments echoing of ethereal vocal melodies but also inclusive to others heightening to a self-assertive hook filled form.  A soulful groove separates accordingly.  Lyric snippet:

I lift up my eyes to the highest command
Over the world it is at hand
Your love brings peace into my soul

I got my eyes on You
I see things that You do
When You tough my heart
It makes me feel good

Ballad “My First Morning” ensues.  The song stilly drifts its four minutes to impactful acoustic guitar, contemplative with its chaste keyboards and quaint guitars but also splendid as Larsson’s translucent vocals enrich the haunting melody to prevail.

“Got Love” contrasts with its upbeat commercial hard rock form.  Heartwarming and inspiring is the sensation as lucent backing vocals and even balance of guitar and keyboards buttress the AOR tinted melody.  Instrumentally, Stigsson duels on lead guitar with Niklas Johnsson’s bold keyboards.  Lyric snippet:

I’ve been living my life out in the streets down and out
I couldn’t see I was running around all alone
I was reaching out for someone to hold
I was crying out things I’ve been told

I’m longing for the love
I am coming home
I want You
I need You, can’t live without You

Whereas the preceding four songs are very good, subsequent five embody that ‘expert songwriting’ in question and represents what in my opinion are some of Stigsson’s finest musical moments.  It begins with “The Silent Cry”, a melancholic five minutes opening the first acoustically with remaining four powered by mid-paced hard rock guitar as uncanny ‘who will save the children’ backing vocals make periodic appearance.  A piercing falsetto gives way to a stretch of darkly woven lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

Who cares for the children
Who treats them right
Some hide their tears inside
Afraid to let it out

Can't tell any one about their pain
Afraid for their lives and daddy's hand
Where can the little kid go, three years old
No love at home, left out in the cold

“Carry On” hints of the metal basis XT pursued on Extended Empire.  Guitar powers athletically forward from the get go, making a bluesy hard rock statement as Larsson fittingly lowers his register and significant hooks girder the unease to impart.  A rawer sound correspondingly reveals from the lack of keyboards- by no means a bad thing.

Six-minute “The False Prophet” reveals a light progressiveness, an aspect XT would further pursue on Extended Empire.  Song wafts its first two minutes to delicate lead guitar and buoyant keyboards, inciting at once as conspicuous rhythm guitar takes over and accelerates energy exponentially.  The remaining four reflect upon the epic, as profound harmonies and provocative overtures further magnify the enduring backdrop.  Spanish guitar holds sway instrumentally in similar fashion as King James track “Hard Road To Go” from the 1994 self-titled debut.

“Sign Of The Times” follows as a more basic but not simplistic three and half-minute melodic metal piece innate to non-stop energy and prodigious hooks.  Song impresses as a Setting For To The Earth outtake with its commercial impulses, although not abandoning the heavier undercurrents found in the relentless guitar tones.  Listen to this one loud.  Lyric snippet:

When the weather don’t seem to go by the rules
And the sun is going down
The blood red moon is coming around to remind us of the coming Son

Soon you will see a light from east to west
The Son is coming back
Surrounded by clouds
He will appear in the sky and every eye will see Him come

Another progressive hint on follow up cut “Walk In The Shadows”.  Acoustic guitar impels the opening seconds, only giving way as evocative rhythm guitar takes over to validate the stylish mid-paced catalyst and elegant hooks to engage.  A brief return to an acoustic ordinance precedes an intense lead guitar run unveiling Stigsson to be no small talent.

Final full-length cut “One Way To Heaven” is solid in skirting radio friendly melodic hard rock.  Keyboards play an out front but not distracting role, underlying outspoken bass, as does a commercial formatting found in the distinct pop-based sentiments.  Refrain is resplendent with its bright and airy furbishing.  Minute long keyboard instrumental closes the album.  Lyric snippet:

I’m going to take it, yes I will
Beyond the mountains in a foreign land
A lowly breeze whispers to me in my dream
I can see You standing
Waiting by the golden gate
I am on my way to You on wings of life
To the land of freedom

XT sophomore release Taxfree in my opinion represent an underrated at times melodic hard rock and others AOR tinged album.  Stigsson and Larsson form a complementary guitar and vocal partnership accordingly, revealed in first-rate songwriting found in ten near equally good tracks.  Since the album is starting to get obscure after thirty years, it deserves a reissued with re-mastering to bring it up to modern standard.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Chaos” (:15), “The One” (3:31), “Face To Face” (4:21), “My First Morning” (4:01), “Got Love” (3:59), “The Silent Cry” (4:54), “Carry On” (4:53), “The False Prophet” (6:08), “Sign Of The Time” (3:27), “Walk In Shadows” (4:45), “One Way To Heaven” (4:16), “Paradise” (1:16)

Musicians
Sonny Larsson - Lead Vocals
Bjorn Stigsson - Guitars
Niklas Johnsson - Keyboards
P-O Larsson - Bass
Mick Nordstrom - Drums