Lars Fredrik Frøislie – Fire Fortellinger (Karisma Records, 2023)
Lars Fredrik Frøislie, the accomplished keyboardist of the acclaimed progressive rock band Wobbler, is set to release his debut solo album entitled “Fire Fortellinger” on Karisma Records on the 2nd of June 2023. This album is a testament to the keyboardist’s prowess as a musician and showcases his ability to produce music outside the band’s framework. Frøislie’s solo work is reminiscent of the 1970s progressive rock tradition, where the keyboardist creates a solo album between the band’s albums.
The music in “Fire Fortellinger” was predominantly composed by Frøislie himself during the pandemic, primarily in isolation. This album is an unprocessed and raw rendition of his work, aiming to preserve its impulsivity as much as possible. The recordings contain multiple improvisations, and the final takes often include playing errors, broken piano strings, and other idiosyncrasies. Furthermore, Frøislie has attempted to maintain a human touch throughout the recording process, eschewing the use of click tracks, auto-tune, MIDI, or other advanced technology. In keeping with his preference for older musical instruments, this album includes a wide range of vintage analog keyboards such as cembalo, Mellotron, MiniMoog, Yamaha CP70, and Hammond organ, a true delight for progressive rock fans.
The album “Fire Fortellinger” features four magnificent and epic songs, each with its own distinct theme and story. The first track, “Rytter av dommedag,” is inspired by Ragnarok, a significant event in Norse mythology when King Rakne awakens from his burial mound outside Romerike, and with the help of the old gods, creates a great commotion.
The second song, “Et sted under himmelhvelvet,” is dreamy and alluring, set in a Renaissance garden near Florence or Arcadia. It explores the idea of visiting a place and having a sense of déjà vu, only to later discover that one’s ancestors once lived there.
The third track, “Jærtegn,” starts with a frenzy as a horse and carriage rush through the forest, culminating in an overturned wagon during a solar eclipse. The riders are doomed to wander eternally through the forest, only visible to us like the Northern Lights, as they strive to find their way home. The final song, “Naturens Katedral,” portrays the Norwegian mountains in winter, where the cold is bitter, and blizzards and avalanches are commonplace. It is also a search for the past, when life was simpler in the wilderness.
This album is a must-have for fans of Wobbler and the masters of the 1970s, as it highlights the artistic talent of Lars Fredrik Frøislie in a fresh and new context.
Buy it at larsfredrikfroislie.bandcamp.com/album/fire-fortellinger