Wild As Anything by Bart & The Fall Aparts: A Garage Rock Gem You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s talk about Wild As Anything, the 2009 rock album from Norway’s own Bart & The Fall Aparts. Released under More Cowbell Records (yes, cowbell fans, that’s a real label), this record is a raw, unapologetic dive into garage rock and alternative rock vibes. It’s not perfect—heck, it doesn’t even try to be—but that’s kinda the charm.
First off, the tracklist hits hard right outta the gate. Tracks like “Hallelujah” and “Mean Town Blues” stick with you long after the needle lifts—or, you know, after you hit pause on your streaming app. Let me tell ya why these two tracks are unforgettable.
“Hallelujah” kicks things off with this gritty guitar riff that feels like it’s been dragged through a Norwegian snowstorm. It’s messy in all the best ways, like someone just handed Bart a mic and said, “Go nuts.” The vocals have this raspy edge to ‘em, like he smoked a pack before recording, but it works. I mean, it really works. There’s no overthinking here; it’s just straight-up rock n’ roll energy. And honestly? That chorus gets stuck in your head for days. Don’t ask me how—I’m still trying to figure it out myself.
Then there’s “Mean Town Blues,” which flips the vibe a bit. This one slows things down just enough to let the groove sink in. The bassline is so smooth it almost tricks you into thinking the song’s chill… until the guitars come screaming back in. It’s got this swagger to it, like the band knows they’re onto something good but aren’t gonna brag about it too loud. Lyrically, it paints this picture of small-town grit and big-city dreams, and dang if it doesn’t make you wanna grab your leather jacket and go cruising.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going. Songs like “Automatic Blues” and “Killing Machine” bring their own flavor of chaos, while “Seven Days” adds a touch of introspection without losing the rawness. But honestly, the whole thing feels cohesive—like a snapshot of a band doing what they love, no frills attached.
You might think an album from Norway would sound icy or polished, but nah. Wild As Anything is warm, scrappy, and full of heart. It’s the kind of record that reminds you why people fell in love with rock music in the first place. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but isn’t that where the magic happens?
Here’s the kicker though—this album came out in 2009, and yet it feels timeless. Like, could’ve been made yesterday or thirty years ago. Maybe that’s why it slipped under the radar for so many folks. But hey, sometimes the best stuff does.
So, if you’re looking for something that’ll crank up your speakers and give you that old-school rock fix, check out Wild As Anything. Just don’t blame me if “Hallelujah” ends up as your new earworm. Oh, and maybe keep a cowbell handy—you never know when inspiration might strike.
