When In The Dutch Mountains (1987) is released, the Amsterdam group Nits has been active for over a decade. Led by singer and songwriter Henk Hofstede - the other members are keyboardist Robert-Jan Stips and drummer Rob Kloet - the group has managed to create its own sound that deliberately distanced itself from the prevailing Anglo-American tradition. No raw blues and folk influences but an audible
… predilection for European art and theater tradition. After a few studio albums, the band, with bassist Joke Geraets as new member, returns to the essence on In The Dutch Mountains. It rents a space (a church) and can be registered without overdubs. The combination of catchy pop songs and an unpolished tape sound gives the Nits the greatest success in her career. The singles In The Dutch Mountains, JOS Days and The Panorama Man, all with beautiful clips, will be big hits, in the Netherlands but also abroad. (MS)more
