Description

Entertainers & Soldiers is a solo album by the Swedish singer and songwriter Ulf Christiansson (a.k.a. Uffe) of the Swedish hard rock band Jerusalem, independently released on Pierced Records in 2003. The album was produced by Ulf Christiansson (who also played all the instruments on the album except the drums).

I approached this 2003 album with a certain nervousness. The last album Ulf Christiansson cut with Jerusalem, ‘Prophet‘, was, to my mind, one of the most powerful offerings of the whole Christian rock genre yet Ulf’s last solo album, ‘Mighty Wave‘ (a compilation of tracks from ‘In My Dreams‘ and ‘Life Style From Above‘ plus bonus tracks), sounded to me both dated and slightly absurd with its pomp rock mannerisms. But now Sweden’s veteran rocker makes a magnificent return to rock music relevancy with an edgy, bitingly astringent album of 13 powerful songs. Built on the age old theme of a life given over to utter abandonment to the lover of our souls the songs here resonate with passionate sincerity while the vortex of layered guitars Ulf builds up around these gutsy yet tender-hearted melodies is truly magnificent. A rocker who deserves to be “up there” (wherever “there” is) with all the young turks who play “cutting edge rock”, this is an album which should be searched out both by Jersualem-grooving nostalgists and those who seek a prophet who (as he reminds us on his composition «Homeland») is unlikely to receive the recognition his towering talent deserves. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, March 2005]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/entertainers-soldiers/458388989)

CD tracklist:

01. It’s Not Easy – 4:20
02. Rip My Heart Out – 4:10
03. Die to Myself – 4:19
04. Entertainers & Soldiers – 3:30
05. Hope for Tomorrow – 3:43
06. Kings & Spears – 4:24
07. Touch You – 4:37
08. Godspeed to You – 3:42
09. Homeland – 4:30
10. Have to Go – 4:44
11. Happiest Man – 3:52
12. Glorify – 3:58
13. Stupid Man – 4:54