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Where does one begin to try to describe this wild melange of ancient and modern sounds called Bukkene Bruse. Their name taken from the folk tale of the Three Billygoat's Gruff, this brash but serious Norwegian band is known for their lush folk arrangements of avant garde in antique garb. The Loveliest Rose, more wintry than "Christmassy", is quite unlike any music I have ever heard. Easily characterizable as celtic, it is actually much more complex, incorporating many styles, melding the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle tradition with plaintive latinesque vocals and the booming bass timbre of the Sofienberg Church organ in Oslo.

There is nothing subtle about this music. Direct and overbearing, it takes you by the shoulders and shakes you up. I wish I could understand Arve Moen Bergset's lyrics, but they are exquisite nonetheless. Bjørn Ole Rasch's organ play is magnificent. Steiner Ofsdal gives the recording its Celtic flavor with haunting flute melodies. But most remarkable are those Hardanger fiddles, played primarily by Annbjørg Lien.

Every so often I play a CD over and over again, until I can understand why its effect on me is so powerful. Bukkene Bruse's The Loveliest Rose will certainly be one of these.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2002)

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From the liner notes:

One of Norway's premier folk groups, Bukkene Bruse has represented its nation both at the Lillehammer Olympics and in official travels abroad. Bukkene Bruse are Annbjørg Lien, Arve Moen Bergset, Steinar Ofsdal, and Bjørn Ole Rasch.

Bukkene Bruse

The Loveliest Rose

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Track List