What's a Fernweh?

Everyone likes a good cover version, yes? But what about when someone tells you that your favorite song off of your favorite album of all time is the new single from a band you never heard of before?

I was not amused.  I refused to listen, much in the same way I would refuse to see Ralph Macchio play Stanley Kowalski.

Instead, I decided to listen to the band's debut record, which my friend highly recommended and as it turned out, I really liked The Fernweh. Released last year, The Fernweh is a solid record sounding a bit like the British folk and prog I love so much---Fairport Convention, Strawbs, Bert Jansch---with a hint of Syd Barrett psychedelia---and a touch of Echo & The Bunnymen. Or, you can take what Spotify has to say about them:

"The Fernweh was created by three musicians, Jamie Backhouse, Ned Crowther & Austin Murphy, who wanted to make a record that embodied their love of British folk & psychedelia. Three years in the making, their eponymous debut album brings together a collection of songs that examine childhood nostalgia, memory and loss through a distinctly British lens - a creative strand that runs through many of the group’s influences: Anne Briggs, The Zombies, Frederick Delius, Basil Kirchin, Fairport Convention & Joy Division (See Junk - One Hundred Fixes For The Fernweh)."

The Ferweh passed my test and out of respect, I decided I'd listen to their new single, a cover of "Sunrise," my favorite song off of my favorite album, "The Who Sell Out." It's at the top, and I don't hate it. I am not even remotely offended. It's quite good.

Phew.

Check out the debut by The Fernweh or just start with the two tracks I've posted here.