The roots of many Rock scenes started back in the late 60s/early 70s, when bands had to struggle for having places to play, and Germany was one of the first (along UK and USA). It’s obvious that if there’s a scene, new bands will appear, and that the reason for acts as THE SCORPIONS, LUCIFER’S FRIEND, ACCEPT, ELOY and others having started their careers on such days. But one German name is usually forgotten by the great part of public: FARGO, a quartet from Hanover. And as they are a cult band (that came back to life on 2016), here is “The Early Years (1979-1982)”.

“The Early Years (1979-1982)” is just a package with the band’s four early albums, showing a mix between classic Hard Rock of the 70s with typical touches of other Rock ‘n’ Roll tendencies of the 70s. Obviously that speaking in such way could cause problems with the band’s fans, but their work doesn’t need many words to be described, and it’s truly very good. And the fans will have an opportunity with this package: to hear and compare how the band evolved from one album to the other.

The first one is “Wishing Well”, released on 1979. It’s an album full of different Rock ‘n’ Roll influences (maybe because no one cared about genres’ names on those days), from Folk Rock to Hard Rock, and always with a great energy (maybe a consequence of the five years of experience they gathered before recording the albums), based on strong and hooking melodies. The best ones from this album: “More of Your Life” (very good guitars), “Little Smile” (some distortions here reminds of early AC/DC’s album, but such set of melodies is very good), “Silent Summernight” (a deep and bluesy Rock ‘n’ Roll ballad), “What Do You Feel” (another frantic Rock ‘n’ Roll song), “What Are You Doing” and “Born Under a Bad Sign” (both with clear tendencies pointing to Hard Rock), “Highway” (another proto-Hard Rock song) and “When the Show is Over”. By the way, this album was the only one of the package that was remixed (and as he others, it was remastered as well).

The following album is “No Limit”, released on 1980. Even being faithful to what was depicted on the early one, here the band points to a more defined form of Hard Rock, even being extremely accessible and with some psychedelic elements. Pay attention to “Just the Music” (a crude and savage Rock ‘n’ Roll with tender vocals), “Soul Survivor” (that is a bluesy ballad with some heavier parts, again depicting an excellent guitars arrangements), “Hot Nights” (a frantic and intense Hard ‘n’ Roll moment, with a strong work on bass guitar and drums), “I’m a Loser” (this one depicts a strong and melodic Hard Rock set of traits filled with Blues Rock hooks), and to “Take It Easy”.

“Frontpage Lover” is a step ahead of the prior ones. Even having some accessible parts (as heard on “Frontpage Lover”), the album is pointing to a band that starts to find its own way, to sediment its personality. And songs as the tile track (a more coherent Hard Rock song based on very good melodies and charming guitars), “A Girl Like a Trigger” (a more AOR moment with Ska/Reggae arrangements on the guitars), “Sunmaker” (this one is nearer Pop Rock tendencies, with very good work on bass guitar and drums and very good chorus), “Arrows in the Wind” (here another Hard Rock moment plenty with AOR elements, with strong vocals guiding the charming instrumental sheath), “Tokyo” and “Angel” (with both bringing a filthy touch on the guitars that resembles AC/DC), and “Wheel of Fortune”. It’s not a sin to say that the face of FARGO finally is shown on this album.

Finally comes “F”. Here the band shows a more accessible appeal, and it’s a continuity of the genre shown on “Frontpage Lover” (maybe a little more heavier due its sonority). And songs as “Here We Are” (a true Hard ‘n’ Roll moment with excellent guitars and a solid work on bass guitar and drums), “Squeeze Me” (again the band shows some AC/DC-like riffing), “Feel Like Dancing” (some Pop/AOR touches arises on this one, something usual of those days), “Plastic Chicks” (an accessible and fun Hard Rock moment with some funk/groove touches), “Be My Brother” (this one is a purely Pop Rock influenced moment, and what good melodies), and “Aphrodite Women” show how this one could be a massive commercial success on the 80s if the band went to USA. Maybe such accessibility was a consequence of the commercial praise that SCORPIONS was having on those days.

As everyone knows, from the ashes of FARGO came VICTORY, and with “The Early Years (1979-1982)”, such link becomes clearer. But it’s a very good opportunity to complete your collection as well.