Theo - 1988 - The Good the Bad and the Ugly

(39:23; Norske Albumklassikere [2021 Edition] )




















Track list:
1. The Good the Bad and the Ugly (3:45)
2. Monsterdance (3:45)
3. Another Story of Love (4:31)
4. Swingtime (3:13)
5. The Track (3:38)
6. Mr. Brown (4:06)
7. Mountains (4:17)
8. Born to Rock (3:09)
9. Sacred Alibi (3:44)
10. Fade Away (5:15)

Line-up:
- Harald Dose - vocals
- Geir Emanuelsen - bass, vocals
- Stig Theo Eriksen - drums, vocals
- Erlend Ottem - guitars, vocals
- Bård Torstensen - guitars, vocals
with:
- Rock 'n Rolf Pedersen - harmonica
- Lina Narjord - violion


Norwegian band Theo had a career as a recording band that lasted from 1982 until 1989, with a few different line-ups of the band in those years as well from what I understand. "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" was their third and final album before the band went into hiatus as far as recording material is concerned, and was originally released through the label Veps Musikk in 1988. The album was reissued through the series "Norske Albumklassikere" in 2021.

Good, old fashioned hard rock is what the band Theo is all about. The foundation is a solid rhythm section, with a steady drummer and a driving bass supporting steady going hard rock of the kind that was rather typical in the first half of the 1980's in particular.

The guitar work is perhaps the most notable aspect of Theo as a band, with some fine flowing guitar solo runs and liberal use of slide guitar throughout, and the core riffs in the songs function very well indeed too. That the guitarists manage to add life and atmosphere also to the gentler songs on this album is a testament to the talent at hand, using subtle tones to good effects to craft moods and atmospheres that are interesting as well as appealing in those circumstances, with the subtle nuances they add to the song 'The Track' standing out for me at least in that department. There are many other fine moments spread throughout this production, and the more colorful, driving and slightly more expressive 'Mr. Brown' another cut that merits a mention.

Theo didn't bring anything new to the table back in 1988, and not all the material sounds as good some 30 years later as it did back in the day either, but those who like and enjoy good, old fashioned hard rock with lively bluesy details and some fine guitar-work will find plenty to enjoy on this production, and quite a few tracks that comes across as solid also when the calendar says 2021.

Olav M. Björnsen, September 2021

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