The album art and song titles of THE FIVE OUTSIDERS' "On the Run" imply dirt-road outlaw country. The Swedish names of these outsiders points to something a little different, however, as does the listing of saxophone as part of the instrumental lineup. These boys come from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. In fact this is instrumental surf-rock with a cinematic, spaghetti western aesthetic; the west by way of the northern imagination. While cowboys and Vikings may seem quite foreign to each other, Viking battles with the Skraelings of Newfoundland predate the cowboy-Indian conflict by centuries. So in a sense these Norsemen are regaining their own American frontier past, and updating it with reverb.

"New Outfit" rides a sleek surf-rock groove that makes me wish I was driving on an empty freeway. It reminded me of the PIXIES' cover of the theme from NARC. "Peacemaker" introduces commanding sax to the propulsive mix, while "Moonshine Rider" features some tuneful whistling in addition to a marching-band beat. My only complaint would be a degree of sameness to the affair, but then the album as singular atmosphere was probably the band's intent. While not earth-shattering, fans of THE SHADOWS, THE HELLBENDERS, DICK DALE and THE VENTURES will find this an instrumental bonanza, and "On the Run" is appropriate background music for drifters all kinds.

- Shragge

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