HEJ DU

If AR's debut was a dark and un-commercial album, wait 'til you get a load of Hej Du with its three tracks only (we are in '70, well before CTTE or other landmarks), and multi-movement pieces. Sporting a naïve childlike artwork, fans usually regard this album as the group's definitive statement, and I must say that it does make quite an impression on me, still more than 10 years after discovering it. Actually the group will experience their first line-up change during the recording of this album, with original drummer From leaving the stool to Karsten Host.

Starting with the distorted guitars of Du Taler Sumthinalongthisline (You Talk And Say), the album gives a shot in the anthill of your certainties, but the track is actually fairly weak as the over-powering vocals are not exactly well thought out. The following 15-min+ title track is quite an improvement, as it is reminiscent of the dynamics of the closer Hjem of the debut album. Indeed, the organ and guitar are clashing wildly while Host's drumming is at times breathtaking.

The sidelong 8-movement almost-22min suite Perlesoen is clearly the album's centerpiece (even if it stands as its last track ;o), with its interesting mixture of dark organ-based progressive (ala Uriah Heep), psychedelic music (early Pink Floyd), and space rock (early Hawkwind) and bits of soul music (reworked ala Vanilla Fudge), with loads of riffing guitars and wild drumming. Even having some flute parts in one movement, this epic is truly progressive with each chapter developing its own mood, but adding to the whole structure. One of the assets of this track is that a second drummer Klaus From helps out, giving more depth to it. Just past the halfway mark, as the track stops for umpteenth time, the bass picks up with the searing guitar, soon joined by the drums and organs to build a lengthy crescendo, then suddenly, bass and guitar break away some more, before eventually dying out. As soon as gone, an organ line is to be heard lazily followed by another, then almost whispering vocals (at first anyway) with Appice-like drums, the whole thing ending in chaos!

Although marginally better than their eponymous debut album, Hej Du is one of Denmark's most definitive albums in its genre (if you except the vocally ambitious but ultimately poor opening track), and only topped progressively (but in a very different genre) by Secret Oyster's outstanding jazz-rock of Sea Son. Highly recommended piece of somber hippie rock especially to most of those symphonic progheads claiming psych rock is not part of "prog".

Challenging the hippie stereotypes, this album is definately a psychedelic piece of work, but it is much darker than what one might expect - especially if, which is the case of most Danes of my own generation - one's only point of reference is Steppeulvene's lighthearted album Hip. While dark and sombre, Hej Du is less dark than their debut, and a relatively easier listen (at least in some respects). There seems to be a little bit more (but only a little bit!) emphasis on melody vocals-wise which does not always work too well, and lyrically it's more Romantic (like in the 19th century movement within literature and art) than the predecessor, but this is primarily because of the epic track Perlesøen which with its 21+ minutes takes up a large portion of the album. In all, a dark, challenging, yet more inviting, album than the debut.

For me ALRUNE ROD's second album is a definite step up from the debut. Maybe it's just that the almost 22 minute side long closing track stands above everything on the debut and above the other two songs on this album, in my opinion of course. It's an incredible piece though and keep in mind this was released in 1970 by these Danes.

"Du Taler Og Sir" opens with some good old fashion feedback before a beat with vocal expressions take over around a minute. It then kicks in with vocals. It settles just before 3 minutes with organ, reserved vocals and more. The tempo continues to shift as themes are repeated. "Hej Du" has a good beat as the organ floods in. Reserved vocals after a minute. It starts to build then settles back as contrasts continue. Passionate vocals and organ after 4 minutes then the guitar rips it up. A calm before 5 1/2 minutes as the organ, a beat and vocals lead until it kicks back in after 9 1/2 minutes. The guitar then starts to light it up. The organ is killing it before 12 minutes. The guitar is back making some noise.

"Perleseoen" features floating organ, acoustic guitar and cymbals early. It picks up with a beat, organ, strummed guitar and vocals. Great sound 3 minutes in then we get a calm. It picks up again after 4 minutes with vocals. Another calm after 6 minutes with reserved vocals. The vocals stop as it becomes somewhat haunting before 10 minutes. It continues to be dark with sparse flute. There's some whispering after 12 1/2 minutes followed by silence. A beat comes in after 13 minutes as we get some acid soaked guitar then the organ joins in. Another silent calm after 17 minutes then reserved vocals come in along with a mellow sound. It kicks back in after 19 minutes to end it. Nice.

An excellent addition to anyone's Psychedelic collection to be sure, and a solid 4 stars. And thanks to the Dane himself Guldbamsen for his passion for this record.

Hej Du is the second album by one of the most familiar danish prog bands Alrune Rod. The album was released as early as 1970 and it is basically a continuation of their first 1969 album. While their debut was a little unfocused and featured long and jammy tracks, this album continues that line only this time the material is much more consistent and coherent. Reminds me of Amon Duul II Yeti compared to Phallus Dei which also coincidentally released simultaneously as Alrune Rod's first two albums. It seems like the band have found the right balance between improvisation and more constructed material and utilized it for the best. The album consists of three tracks, one of them is a 22 minute epic which is considered as one of the band's crowning achievements, with only three tracks the band finds a lot of time to experiment and explore that unmarked prog/psych territory. I must add that not a lot of side long tracks were released up to that point, especially not in Denmark. Their sound is not versatile due to the fact that there are no prominent additional instruments used and secondly the keys are somewhat in "low profile" ,they are always there and there is much to enjoy but just don't expect anything like Emerson, Manfred Mann or other RPI keyboardists. Sound quality is good concerning the year of recording and is warm and enjoyable.

The music is psychedelic hard rock with prominent distorted guitars, my kind of sound actually, definitely resembles Hawkwind or early Floyd, though I wouldn't call this Space Rock. Keys are usually in the back serving the purpose of the song but never comes to the front to solo, they overall strengthen the psychedelic atmosphere. Vocals are in danish and if you can't understand them and I'm sure most of you can't, they are still very good and not that strange sounding. Flemming Giese Rasmussen is the star here which handles those wild guitars, which goes from hard rock to psychedelic jamming, all very good with delicious 70's sounding. Drummer Claus From is quite good but sometimes misses the beat and stumbles for a second, but it overall doesn't ruin my enjoyment.

Du Taler Og Sir' is the album's opener, and it is more hard rock than psychedelic. It starts with some feedback noises and the sound gradually picks up building some tension, and as you think you're gonna be hit with a ton of bricks it changes to a happy beatles-like riff only with distortion, it took me some time to get used to that but it all flows very good from here with good vocals and excellent 70's hard rock guitars. A good starter to get you tuned in.

Hej Du is a 15 minute track. The first 5 minutes are dominated by vocals which I find them to be quite enjoyable, guitars are in the back filling in with all kinds of licks and then breaks out beautifuly just to end the first part and leads you to the psychedelic part, this is where you feel the band really nails it. echoing reverbed guitars, haunting vocals, soft psychedelic organ, what can you possibly need more? This part also builds the tension slowly and breaks it down with a howling scream and some wild guitar a la Hendrix. It continues with some more vocals and more guitars and then ends. Very good stuff indeed!

Perles'en is the main piece here, comprised of several different parts, it goes from one part to the other easily without giving you a feel of a patch work. The band's diving to another successful good psychedelic middle part here with an additional flute to sweeten things up, only this one is darker and more haunting which resembles early Pink Floyd, it slides into my favorite part of the album, fantastic guitar playing again by Geise which totally nails that slow paced rhythm with dazzling fuzzed guitar runs.

So this is another great album from the psychedelic camp that shouldn't be overlooked no more just because of its origins. Those four danes certainly knows their job and would appeal not only to psych fans but to a wider prog audience. Very accessible stuff and definitely worth searching for. Their next album would see the band changing their attitude and experiment much less, so basically this is the one to get. solid 4 stars!