The Art of Rolling

The Blue Van | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 5, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000008M65
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,536 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #31 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Denmark

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the three-months leading up to the making of their debut album, the members of this shaggy-haired Danish quartet relocated to a rundown loft in Brooklyn and played over 50 live shows around New York, never once failing to fill a room. The secret? A surge of Hammon organ, go-go beats and chaotically wielded electric guitars, resulting in a heady, infectious sound that brings together '60s rock 'n' soul together with vintage punk and modern garage rock. Singer Steffan Westmark is a marvel. Like the Hives' Howlin' Pelle Almquist he's able to do authentic American R&B ("Baby, I've Got Time") and powerhouse wailing ("Revelation of Love") with equal poise, while the band bashing away in the background plays so hard it sounds intent on bloodying its fingertips. What more could anyone want? Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

DANISH BEAT QUARTET THE BLUE VAN WILL RELEASE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, THE ART OF ROLLING, ON APRIL 5. THE ART OF ROLLING COULD BE A COMPILATION OF NEWLY-DISCOVERED, BOMBASTIC 60’S ROCK 45’S WERE IT NOT CUT WITH THE WHIMSY AND POP SENSIBILITIES THAT RANGE FROM EARLY ELVIS COSTELLO UP TO HOT HOT HEAT. TRACKS LIKE "I REMEMBER THE DAYS" AND THE FIRST SINGLE, "REVELATION OF LOVE," MAKE YOU WANT TO DO YOUR BEST HULLABALOO GO-GO MOVES WITH THEIR BASHING BEATS AND PUMPING HAMMOND ORGAN. OTHERS LIKE "BABY, I’VE GOT TIME" AND THE EPIC ALBUM-CLOSER "NEW SLOUGH" MAKE YOU ASK YOURSELF HOW A DANISH FARMBOY LIKE SINGER STEFFEN WESTMARK HAS SO MUCH SOUL.

THE BLUE VAN HAS BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER SINCE THE 6TH GRADE. NOW IN THEIR EARLY 20’S, THEY SIGNED WITH TVT RECORDS IN MID-2004 AND IMMEDIATELY FLEW TO THE U.S., SET UP SHOP IN A BROOKLYN GHETTO LOFT TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES, THEIR SONGS AND THEIR FEROCIOUS LIVE SHOW TO AMERICA. DURING THIS THREE MONTH STAY IN NEW YORK CITY THE BAND PLAYED AN EXHAUSTING SLATE OF 50+ SHOWS. HIP WEBZINE MELODYNELSON.COM NAILED THE REASON WHY THE BAND HADN’T EXHAUSTED THEIR NEW SUPPLY OF FANS AFTER SO MANY GIGS: "WHY WOULD PEOPLE GO BACK TO SEE THEM SO OFTEN? AFTER 45 MINUTES, I REALIZED THAT IT'S SIMPLY BECAUSE THESE FOUR GUYS ARE UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMERS, WHO PLAY LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW. THEY FEED OFF THE CROWD AND VICE VERSA, IT'S HARD TO RESIST GOING BACK FOR MORE."

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a mad swirling vortex of sixties style musical genius, June 3, 2005

By 

Wendy K. Dunn "nowyourenext" (calgary, canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Rolling (Audio CD)

This album is amazing, it's so classic yet has a sound that says it couldn't have come from north america. what really stood out for me was the singing, which is genuinely high quality and, well, pretty intense, the bluesy piano, and especially the mind-bending keith moon style drumming. while i confess instrumental songs usually leave me bored, Bluverture was something else entirely. But you'll be happy for Baby You've Got Time, not only is it a lovely song, but you'll probably be exhausted half way through the album and need a short break to regain your energy. I would love to see these guys live, Allan Villadsen plays bass like a wild man.
it also doesn't hurt that they look like they stepped off of carnaby street cira 1966, complete with velvet jackets and neck scarves.
i definitely recommend this album. in terms of new rock and roll, you probably won't get much better.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get in the Van., June 21, 2005

By 

Wayne Amos "jo jo" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Rolling (Audio CD)

The name kind of threw me off at first. The band is a look back into the past. They are a retro act, but a darn good one.

If you have ever imagined what it would be like to see the Who or Animals back in the early 60's this is it. This band will remind you of others, but they have their own stamp on that music. Their songs sound fresh and exciting. This cd has been in my player all week. My favortie tracks are "revelation of Love", "Product of DK", and "What the Kids Want.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome band! Awesome album!, May 31, 2005

By 

Stephen Herman "Classic rock: (n) Music that ... (Cincinnati OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Rolling (Audio CD)

Wow. I asked for this CD for my birthday, and if I didn't get it I planned on having it overnighted to me. Anyway, this band is amazing. Musically, it's not terribly complex, but these guys jam with the best of the 60's greats. The singers voice is probably one of the best I've heard in a long time. I'm not sure what band in particular I'd compare them to, I guess the Kinks has been a popular comparison, but I'm not sure. I'd say if you took all the greatest bands from the 60's (except the Beatles, I don't think they fit the bill for them), and combined them into one, you'd get this band. The lyrics aren't deep, but they don't whine like 99.9% of other bands nowadays. If you're into classic rock and can't stand the post-Nirvana music of today, check this one out. You won't be dissapointed. I understand they put on a damn good live show too!