Trio Patrekatt offers a unique perspective on the Swedish folk music scene. Instead of relying on a rock beat or a jazz twist to the tradition, they come to the work from a modern, somewhat classical perspective, a la Kronos Quartet. Cello and two nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle with a unique drone) join together to create a powerful new voice--one that is aggressive and complex, with just a touch of sly wit. The high, crystal tone of the nyckelharpa is laid out in stark contrast to the sometimes rough bowing of the cello, often competing to control the melody or rhythm. Using a set of traditional tunes and a few original compositions (notably by Johan Hedin), the trio embarks on an interesting course for what might still be called "folk music." The album has a unique wholeness to it, a unified construction in spite of its rather disparate parts, and offers a wonderful chance to see a new folk tradition in the making. --Louis Gibson