The Vanguards - Phnooole (1966)

"Phnooole" (1966) is the only full-length studio album by the Norwegian beat group The Vanguards, considered one of the most important rarities and shining examples of the mid-1960s Scandinavian rock scene.

Released on the Triola label, it marked the peak of The Vanguards' popularity in Norway. The band combined European beat mania with the raw energy of American garage rock.

The album is filled with ringing guitar riffs, danceable rock 'n' roll rhythms, organ accents, and harmonious polyphony in the spirit of The Shadows, The Searchers, and early The Beatles.

The disc includes both the band's original English-language compositions and energetic cover versions of well-known hits of the era (such as "Poison Ivy" and "Hi-Heel Sneakers"), adapted to the band's dynamic style.

Of particular note is the guitar playing of Terje Rypdal, who would later become a global legend of avant-garde jazz and fusion on the ECM label, but here he demonstrates a virtuoso and playful garage beat.