ULF CHRISTIANSSON / UFFE / ULF

Solo-efforts from Jerusalem frontman.

ULF CHRISTIANSSON - THE LIFESTYLE FROM ABOVE (1991) JM/PIERCED

  1. The Lifestyle From Above
  2. Meant To Be For Heaven's Sake
  3. Bara Kärlek Förändrar
  4. En Mäktig Våg En Mäktig Vind
  5. Dina Kläder Er Vita
  6. Come Touch My Life
  7. Du Är En Vinnare (Anthem)
  8. Vi Ska Ta Det (Anthem)
  9. Freedom Is The Bread
  10. Säj Till Mej
  11. Wild But Dignified (Anthem)

Line-up:

Ulf Christiansson - Lead & Back-up Vocals, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars

Tomas Thorsen - Lead Guitar

Michael Ulvsgärd - Drums

Peter Carlsohn - Bass

Viktoria Christiansson - Lead & Back-up Vocals 

Sølve Westli - Slide-guitar

Svenne Jansson - Hammond organ

Per Björk - Saxophone

Additional musicians:

Reidar I.Paulsen, Kurt Gaasø, Bo Järpehag, Erik Strömblad - Keyboards, Piano

Inka Gustavsson, Word Of Life Choir - Back-up Vocals

This is probably the album on my site that is the least metal of all! 'The Lifestyle From Above' is a worship album through, and through. And what an inspirational album it is. Tracks 1 through 7 are all songs that easily have me worked up in worship to my Lord and Saviour. Be them sung in Swedish or English, it's all the same to me, they just touch a feeling and desire in me to praise the Lord! "En Mäktig Våg En Mäktig Vind" (A mighty wave, a mighty wind) has brought me to tears of joy on numerous occasions. Ulf's excellent lyrics makes this album a treasure in my collection, and the entire album always makes me feel good. Together with Bjørn Eidsvåg's 'Alt Du Vil Ha' and Phil Driscoll's 'Warrior' (an album containing "Du Är En Vinnare" in an English version), this is my all time favorite worship album.

Killer tracks: Tracks 1 through 7, and track 11

ULF - ENTERTAINERS & SOLDIERS (2003) FRUIT SONGS/PIERCED

  1. It's Not Easy
  2. Rip My Heart Out
  3. Die To Myself
  4. Entertainers & Soldiers
  5. Hope For Tomorrow
  6. Kings & Spears
  7. Touch You
  8. Godspeed To you
  9. Homeland
  10. Have To Go
  11. Happiest Man
  12. Glorify
  13. Stupid Man

Line-up:

Ulf Christiansson - Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Piano, Drumloops on 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, Synth

Peter Damin - Drums

Chris Brinkley - Drumloops on 1, 8, 13, Synth, Cello, Flute, Vocal harmonies

I was eagerly awaiting a new Jerusalem album when this CD saw the light of day. I had heard the song "Rip My Heart Out" being played live, and it sounded great! But what was to become a new Jerusalem album, with many of their classic members returning, somehow ended up as another solo album from Ulf, this time using his first name as a moniker. Well, I was still excited to hear it, and had it special ordered from Sweden. Sadly the album did not live up to my expectations. It was not hard rock if his main band, and it was not the worship we've gotten used from his solo efforts. Rather the album sounded like an attempt at becoming a pop star! Ulf's love for U2 is very apparent here. And many of the songs lacked a sting, and a memorable hook. I still like some of the songs though, and I never gave up on the album. Now I actually rather enjoy it. The key was to listen to it as an independent album, and try my best to let any preconceived notions not get in the way of the experience. And two things you can always count on is Ulf's excellent voice, and his awesome lyrical approaches! I'm still hoping for a new Jerusalem CD, but I'm also quite happy listening to 'Entertainers & Soldiers' every know and again.

Killer tracks: Rip My Heart Out, Entertainers & Soldiers, Hope For Tomorrow, Touch You, Homeland

Related artists:

Jerusalem