Strangefolk - Lore
I know what you’re thinking. Strange who? Folk what? Who are these guys? There is a reason this album is on my review list and in my album collection. Despite much of the praise I’ve given past albums of different genres, Strangefolk’s 1995 release Lore is on my desert island album list. Yes sir (or ma’am). It has been since I heard it in 1995. I will explain.
Strangefolk is a “folk rock” band that originated at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont in 1991. I was invited to a concert of theirs in Salem, Virginia at an old square-dancing bar tucked away in the Shenandoah Valley mountains in southwestern, Virginia. This was my college town.
I still remember that evening. I was “blown away”. I had no idea who they were and had never heard their music. Never heard of them. I joined their mailing list that night, following them around in the Southeast and Northeast whenever I could get to a show. With essentially zero commercial success, you had to buy Strangefolk’s music either at their shows or through their mailing list. Either a cassette or CD would be mailed to you. I purchased Lore, their debut full length album that evening and the rest is history.
The nineties were the early days of hard rock/acoustic or “folk rock” music. Folk Rock is considered more upbeat, fast paced rock n’ roll music but without a lot of electric guitar distortion. The acoustic guitar provided the basic groove. What was also unique about Strangefolk, was lead guitarist Jon Trafton’s electric effect pedal(s) on his acoustic guitar. Jon was able to switch in and out of the tin sounding acoustic effect to a distortion electric effect and back again with the kick of a pedal.
Lore starts off with Sometimes, a 90’s grooving tune about believing that finally, lonely days are going to go away. Reid Genauer, the band’s lead singer, rhythm guitar player and primary lyricist, writes very relatable songs about lost love, partying, falling back in love and family bonds. Sometimes does give off a vibe when you listen to it. It reminds me of warms days outside, sitting in the sun, grilling food and enjoying your refreshing libation of choice for the weekend.
The second track, …. As, is a short number alluding to yesterday’s mistakes combined with tomorrow’s regret. This is something we’ve all likely experienced. “I hope last night doesn’t wake up this morning and tell tomorrow what I’ve done.” These words were certainly a part of my vocabulary in the mid-nineties.
The band picks up the beat on the album’s third track, Lines & Circles. It is impossible to keep yourself from tapping your foot or moving to this song. Strangefolk once again mixes their acoustic hop step rhythm with vocal harmonization and distorted riffs that bring you to your feet. Trafton’s soloing on Lore brings instant energy to each song on top of the already present high level of energy to begin with.
Shift My Step and Far From Yourself slow the pace down a bit. Reid Genauer and bassist, Erik Glockler’s lyrics discuss heartache and picking oneself up after disappointment. These two are primarily the slowest tracks on the album, but still provide quality musicianship.
As a fan of music and a musician, I consider five of the eleven tracks on Lore to be anthems. I define an anthem as a song you play to get a party started, or to turn a friend on to a new band. They typically contain songs that have a chorus easy to sing along to. You can picture that chorus being sung in unison by thousands of people at the same time in a public setting. For this album, tracks like Alaska, Speculator, Woman Child, Poland and the album’s closing track, So Well are the reasons this album is on my desert island list. There have been so many great albums recorded. What truly makes an album great is when they contain multiple tracks that can be considered anthems, not just one or two. In the case of Lore, you really hear a talented but very raw acoustic rock band pave the way for other musicians of this genre.
Speculator could be considered the album’s most “radio-friendly”, even though it’s likely never been on anything but college radio. I still play this song today on my own guitar to groups of people. It typically gets the attention of both the male and female population in the room. Without fail, you notice a change in the environment. People pause their conversations and begin to listen to my playing. After I complete the song, about 99% of the time I’m asked who wrote the song and how can people get their hands on a copy. This is something I have paid close attention to for twenty-five years, and it never fails. I always tell them it’s Strangefolk.
For you jam band lovers, Alaska, Woman Child, Poland and So Well provide the guitar solo, jam fix you typically look for in every song. These tracks do NOT disappoint. So Well especially offers a juicy, melodic verse that rolls into an anthemic, sing along chorus, that then ever so softly dives downward into a jam that has you wondering what direction is next. So Well ends with a climax of the ages as Genauer, Trafton, Glockler and drummer Luke Smith bring you back to the original chorus before sending you out wanting so much more.
Much of my collection today includes albums that were produced by famed producers, recorded at high end expensive studios with large budgets by globally known recording artists. Not Lore. This album is the definition of a diamond in the ruff, needle in a haystack, hidden gem that everyone needs to know about. I have a strong feeling you will not regret picking this one up.
Also check out their follow up albums to Lore, titled, Weightless in Water and A Great Long While!