An 18th century flashback?

Nordman is a Swedish folk rock duo, extremely popular in Sweden (except perhaps among a small clique of music reviewers) but almost unknown abroad, at least as far as I know.

This is their "greatest hits" album, although the term "greatest hit" is something of a misnomer in Nordman's case, since most of their songs are confusingly similar to each other. If you've heard one, you've heard them all. As a music reviewer mockingly said: "These guys have been performing the same music since at least the 18th century".

But then, why not? I mean, the concept seems to be working!

The most well known Nordman song is "Vandraren", so well known that it has been lampooned a couple of times (always a sign of success). Tracks 3, 4 and 11 are also quite good, being more pop-inspired than the average Nordman songs.

Personally, I find Nordman to be monotonous, sometimes to the point of boring, but I'm sure this album might appeal to fans of folk rock/folk pop. There is primeval energy in the vocals of Hakan Hemlin, and the strange folk music instruments give the songs an exotic flair.

Nordman might be worth checking out if you like daydreaming about Scandinavian Vikings, Engelbrekt or the Great Northern War...