release date: May 1985
format: cd (1991 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Nils Henriksen
label: Columbia - nationality: Denmark
Track highlights: 1. "Datadisciplin" (4 / 5) (live) - 2. "Endnu en weekend" - 3. "Vennerne & mig" - 4. "Morgendagens stjerner" (4 / 5) - 5. "Altmuligmanden" - 6. "Messe for en masse" - 7. "Emigration" - 8. "Vive la vie"
8th studio album by C.V. Jørgensen released 15 months following Lediggang agogo (Feb. '83) was originally released on CBS. Following the '83 album, C.V. toured with a backing band consisting of the musicians playing on that album with the addition of guitarist and bassist Aske Jacoby and keyboardist Pete Repete (from Malurt). On this, he then makes use of the same garrison with Nils Henriksen, Lars Hybel, Aske Jacoby (all three credited on guitar and bass), Pete Repete on keyboards and with Gert Smedegård on drums, while Jacob Andersen, who was busy recording as studio musician for Alberte, Danseorkestret, and Sanne Salomonsen, only participates on the first two songs. All tracks are written and composed by Jørgensen (except "Vive la vie", which was composed with Henriksen).
Musically, the album sounds like an extension to Lediggang agogo - and mostly like a sonically improved coherent release. The '83 album certainly has its qualities but it's as if C.V. and his backing band here really reap the benefit of their joint forces - and perhaps Henriksen has just turned into a better skilled producer. Stylistically, it's very much of the same territory, but the music has become somewhat broader, and you clearly hear the contemporary sense for heavy rhythm arrangements à la Simple Minds and Springsteen ("Messe for en masse" and "Endnu en weekend"). It's primarily a rock album both containing ballads and more uptempo tracks, and you can only imagine how C.V. and the band probably had listened closely to The Police, Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, as well as Danish act, Malurt.
The album was quite well received in the press and by the public, and although C.V. with the album strikes a rather pessimistic tone, the music functions as an uplifting counterpart. Gloomy lyrics on "Datadisciplin", "Vennerne & mig" and "Morgendagens stjerner" don't distract the impression of musical momentum, and these songs were soon incorporated into C.V.'s canon. The predominantly negative lyrics deal with topics such as abuse, cynicism, nationalism, cold human relations, exploitation, human loss, and life behind the scenes. On "Endnu en weekend" he sings: "Endnu en weekend med flimrende fjerner - for et stakåndet publikum - to døgns trampen i begge pedaler - på fordummelsens harmonium... Endnu en weekend med enkeltindivider - på hovedet flere timer i træk - for at virkeliggøre drømmen om et liv i luksus - eller dø unge i eget bræk" ['Another weekend of flickering TV - for a choked-up audience - two days of stomping both pedals - on the harmonium of stupidity... Another weekend with the self-centered - spending several hours straight upside down - trying to realize the dream of a luxurious life - or to die young in your own vomit' (my own translation)]. Not exactly what you would call an uplifting outlook for the future. And on "Emigration" about being misunderstood and once again about a lack of faith for the future: "Min lod i livet er at drømme noget - der traditionen tro bli'r misforstået - sådan er det og sådan bli'r det ved med at være - min fremtid hvis jeg da har mig nogen - ligner på afstand en hallucination - sådan er det og sådan bli'r det ved med at være" ['My lot in life is to dream about things - which according to habit will be misunderstood - that's how things work and that's how things will stay - my future, that is if I have any - from a distance look like a hallucination - that's how things work and that's how things stay' (my translation)]. In fact, there is not one single song of positive thoughts, and the album hardly helped Jørgensen's reputation as a distinct seer of moodiness.
Admittedly, there are generally no further encouraging stories on Vennerne & vejen, but the music stands as a strong counterpoint with fine harmonies, good guitar riffs and catchy choruses. To my ears, it has always been an uplifting album in spite, because music is so much more than accompanying lyrics. It's the final essence that really matters - and as a product, the album sends a refreshing and vibrant feel.
The front cover is credited Annemarie Albrectsen.
Strongly recommended.
