Sorting through newly released tracks we’d missed during the last few weeks I came across this little gem from the Bergen-based duo The Other End (Ida Knoph-Solholm and Alexander Breidvik).
Here’s a pointless little fact for you. Bergen is at the ‘other end’, in the far west, of the E16, the trans-Scandinavian road that starts in Gävle, Sweden, in the east on the Baltic Sea Coast, which is where my Nordic music adventure began, back in the day. In fact, the road goes much further than that and ignores the sea, which gets in the way. But I’ll digress no further.
I thought I’d throw that in as an opener because ‘Peeking over the top’ is in essence a road song.
It took me aback when I first heard it. I thought they must surely be from New Jersey, like The Boss, or Florida, like Tom Petty and have got stuck somewhere along the old Route 66 from the Windy City down to Santa Monica. Indeed, I note they’ve released another song called ‘California Dreamer’.
Did we just pass Yasgur’s Farm? Turn around; let’s catch the Greatest Show on Earth.
You can almost feel the wind blowin’ through your hair as the journey unwinds, with the optimism of the 60s ringing out from every chord.
Each instrument is as in tune with the others as the cylinders in a Ford Mustang Boss 429 and all in perfect synchronisation.
The song is about daring to be, about stepping out of your comfort zone and sensing how liberating it can feel when you let go. The spirit of a long vanquished age.
Bonnie and Clyde; Easy Rider; Thelma and Louise; Ida and Alexander.
“I’m on a roll, it’s getting better, lay it on me, I keep it together”. Even if governments and societies will ensure that is never going to be true.
To be honest it’s good to hear a song like this today, when to guarantee a hit you have to whinge about your ex.
The production is genuinely of that era too, featuring slide guitar, harmonica and piano. The total package tells you to ramp up the volume and join in. Hitchhikers are welcome.
The bridge is monumental and oh, there’s more than a hint of Jenny Lewis in the phrasing and in Ida’s vocal. Perfect.
It will grab you first time out. After that you’ll be hooked.
This is the band’s second single before the album ‘Core Values’ which will be released on October 3rd.
The song is produced by Cato Salsa, who also plays electric guitar, slide guitar and piano. Erland Dahlen is behind the drum kit.
Find them on:
Website: https://www.theotherend.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOtherEndBand
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_other_end/
Graphic: Mario Urban / PART
