Album Review: Spieln Heut Auf by Gösser Buam – A Heartwarming Dive into Austrian Volksmusik
Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re looking for music that feels like a warm hug from the Austrian Alps, Spieln Heut Auf by Gösser Buam is your ticket. This folk album, released under VM Records, brings together all the charm of traditional Volksmusik with an ensemble of talented musicians who clearly love what they do. From the accordion wizardry of Franz Maierkolm to the clarinet magic of Wilhelm Kementmüller, this record has more layers than a strudel recipe.
The vibe? It’s cozy. The genre? Folk, World, & Country. But don’t let those labels fool you—this isn’t just background noise for yodeling contests (though it’d work great for that too). Instead, it’s packed with tunes that make you want to grab a partner and polka in your living room—or at least dream about doing so while sipping on some schnapps.
Standout Tracks That Stuck With Me
1. "Frohsinn Und Heiterkeit"
This track kicks things off with a bang—or rather, a jaunty accordion riff. Right away, you can tell the band means business when it comes to spreading good vibes. What makes this song stick in my head is how upbeat yet simple it feels. There’s no overthinking here; it’s pure joy bottled up into three minutes of toe-tapping bliss. If happiness had a soundtrack, this would be it.
2. "S'Hoamweh"
Now, this one hits different. “Hoamweh” translates roughly to homesickness, and boy, does this tune capture that bittersweet longing perfectly. The melody tugs at your heartstrings without being overly dramatic. You don’t even need to understand the lyrics to feel the emotion—it’s all there in the gentle guitar strumming by Friedrich Lindner and the soulful trumpet notes courtesy of Werner Köck. Listening to this feels like staring out a train window as the countryside rolls past, thinking about places and people you miss.
Why This Album Works
What really sets Spieln Heut Auf apart is its authenticity. These aren’t studio-perfected robots churning out hits—they’re real humans playing instruments and having fun while doing it. Leader Wolfgang Steiner and producer Hubert Pirschner deserve props for keeping things grounded and letting the raw talent shine through. And kudos to Ing. Frank Neumann, the technician behind the scenes, because everything sounds crisp but not overly polished, which fits the vibe perfectly.
Oh, and shoutout to Hans Sappl for the graphics. While I haven’t seen the physical copy, I imagine it matches the music: wholesome, inviting, and full of character.
Final Thoughts
Listening to Spieln Heut Auf feels like stepping into a small Austrian village festival where everyone knows each other’s names. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and exactly what we need more of in today’s playlist-heavy world. Sure, it might not appeal to fans of heavy metal or EDM, but hey, sometimes life calls for something slower-paced—and trust me, this delivers.
Fun fact: halfway through writing this review, I realized I was humming “Marianka” while making coffee. That’s how catchy this album is! So whether you’re a fan of Volksmusik or just curious about Austria’s musical roots, give Gösser Buam a spin. Who knows? You might find yourself planning a trip to the Alps sooner than expected… or at least adding lederhosen to your Amazon cart.
