Folque – Vardøger (Philips 1977)

‘Vardøger’ was the third album by Folque, and their last true classic. But it’s *really* a classic, and remains my favourite album by them. And that’s not just because this was my introduction to this legendary band. The songwriting is fantastic from start to finish, and the album is often quite dark too. ‘No Har Jonsoknatta Komme’ is a perfect opener, with its driving rhythm and great melody. Oh, and Lisa Helljesen sings in her own awesome way as always. The next song, ‘Reiar Med Buttulen’, is more lightweight, but incredibly catchy! This one swings, and you probably won’t get it out of your head for days after you’ve listened through the album. Then comes one of their very best songs ever, the mighty ‘Fanteguten’. Clocking in at 6:35, it’s also one of their most epic tracks. The tempo is slowed down here, and the lyrics deal with a guy who talks big, lies and deceives wherever he goes. Fantastic playing too, as always by these great musicians. Really dark song this one. ‘Heming og Gyvri’ is the other long and epic song on the album, and offers fantastic melodic themes, tempo shifts and a dramatic arrangement. Melancholic folk of the highest order! ‘Varulv’ is another dark and – by their standards – really rock oriented song. And the lyrics are simply brutal! But the album closes with the very cozy ‘Sæterreise’, that makes a great finale. ‘Vardøger’ is simply a perfect folkrock album, and I never get tired of it. Highly recommended!