Hedningarna

The Swedish folk group Hedningarna released their self-titled debut in 1989 when they were still a trio, before they added vocalists and started experimenting with amplified instruments and rhythm loops. But even though the band is playing acoustically, they still manage to produce a powerfully rhythmic sound, and the drones of their various hurdy-gurdies, moraharpas (an early version of the nyckelharpa), hardanger fiddles, and bagpipes create sonic textures that have an organic aura that no wash of synthesized sound can match. Anders Norudde, who has mastered the difficult trick of creating melodies that sound simultaneously old and new, evenly splits the tracks between traditional Swedish dance tunes and new compositions. Hedningarna honors the musical traditions of Scandinavia, but they don't let their respect for the ancient music stifle their need to create their own music and carry those same traditions into the modern world. --Michael Simmons