Boastein

Artist Background

Boastein is a Norwegian duo consisting of Oistein Boassen and Are Storstein. The pair released their second album, Urgata Hurgata, in 1980 through their own label, Vilde Vinge. This album followed their debut record, Jeg Har Min Egen Luke, which came out in 1977. Known for their unique approach to music, Boastein combines elements of rock, psychedelic rock, and alternative rock.

Musical Style and Themes

Urgata Hurgata is characterized by a blend of progressive underground rock infused with black humor, political commentary, and absurdist lyrics. The album reflects the sociopolitical climate of the late 1970s, with tracks like "Kabul" and "Khomeini's Visjon" addressing contemporary world events. The former title references the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, while the latter points to the Iranian Revolution that resulted in Ayatollah Khomeini's rise to power.

Production and Collaborations

The album features contributions from several guest musicians. Frode Nyhus plays flute on "Veien Til Voss 1," enhancing the track's sonic landscape. The song "Helium" includes refrain vocals by Trond Brænne, Marit Tovsen, and Tove Nicolaisen. Additionally, "Suzy & Johnny" features lyrics and vocals by Chuck Cooper. Oistein Boassen was responsible for the album's engineering and production, in addition to playing guitar, keyboards, and percussion. Are Storstein contributed lyrics and vocals for multiple tracks and also designed the album cover, with artwork by Arne Borring and photography by Jorgen Age Somod.

Release and Availability

Upon its release, Urgata Hurgata was made available in vinyl format. Since then, the album has been reissued on both CD and vinyl, with a translucent blue vinyl edition becoming available to collectors and fans. The duo's distinctive sound and lyrical content continue to attract interest from audiences who appreciate underground rock music.

Track Highlights

Among the ten tracks on the album, "Den Brune Skuta" stands out with its engaging rhythm and melody. "En Mann Gikk I Land," with lyrics by Eric Scobie, adds a unique narrative layer to the work. The collaboration with various musicians adds diversity to the album's sound, enriching its overall experience.

Technical Details

Released in 1980, Urgata Hurgata consists of ten tracks, with Oistein Boassen handling the engineering and production aspects of the album.