KUUSUMUN PROFEETTA:
Jatkuvasti maailmaa pelastamaan kyllästynyt supersankariCD, Ektro 2002
KUUSUMUN PROFEETTA:
Jatkuvasti maailmaa pelastamaan kyllästynyt supersankari
CD, Ektro 2002
Track list: Ei aurinko milloinkaan laske - Syyllinen Pedriko - Tähdenlennon aikaan - Puhuu vapahtaja rappuselta kiviseltä - Onnellisen valkoinen - Musta kaivo musta peili - Suunnaton seikkailu halki avaruuden - Kotipolulla - Häivähdys - Hengettären tanssi - Supersankari koko maailman
Kuusumun profeetta is one of the most positively eccentric bands I know. Their lead vocalist Mika Rättö knows how to perform and has a voice to be remembered. And the songs are great! My favourites are "Ei aurinko milloinkaan laske", "Puhuu vapahtaja rappuselta kiviseltä" and "Supersankari koko maailman", all of which are somewhat about the very Christ-like superhero mentioned in the album title. There's some very nice saxophone on this album, and soft female background vocals are also a nice addition. Very positive and warm album, from a completely different world if you compare it to Viikate...
Reviewed: 2002/10/08. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
VIIKATE: Kaajärven rannat
CD, Ranka Recordings 2002
Track list: On aivan sama - Ajastaika - Vastarannan valssi - Jalkamies - Päivän peili - Ei ole ketään kelle soittaa - Kaisloja - Nuori mies nimetön - Laulu on iloni ja työni - Kaajärven rannat
This one, the third full-length album of Viikate, starts with an exceptionally depressing track "On aivan sama". Nothing matters, everything is nothing. Next track kicks up the tempo but the mood stays the same. Viikate is getting better all the time. "Nuori mies nimetön" is one of their best tracks ever. Kaajärven rannat beats the previous "normal" album, Noutajan valssi hands down. Very good, and very Finnish.
Reviewed: 2002/10/08. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
VIIKATE: Ei ole ketään kelle soittaa
CD, Ranka Recordings 2002
Track list: Ei ole ketään kelle soittaa - Arvovaltaa - Routaisten peltojen pehtoorit
I missed the single a bit and bought it at the same time as the album, so it's biggest effect was lost. Still, I had to buy it, as it features two songs not on the album. The title track is very good, as are the other songs. I especially enjoy the last track, which is an instrumental.
Reviewed: 2002/10/08. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
FINNTROLL: Midnattens Widunder
CD, Spikefarm 1999
Track list: Intro - Svartberg - RivFader - Vätteanda - Bastuvisan - Blodnatt - Midnattens Widunder - Segersäng - Svampfest
To summarize Finntroll is easy: fast black metal with lots of synths and a good dose of humppa, a Finnish variation of polka. Lyrics are sung in Swedish and are about trolls who are plotting to take over the world and I suppose they execute the plan successfully, as well. And what great fun it all is! If you think black metal is all dead serious and therefore a bit silly, just listen to Finntroll and you can rest assured that even black metal people can sometimes have some fun.
Reviewed: 2002/09/22. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
AJATTARA: Itse
CD, Spikefarm 2001
Track list: Yhdeksäs - Verivalta - Musta aurinko - Kuolevan rukous - Ägräs - Murhamiesi - Tulessa - Manan lapset - Rajan takaa - Vihan musta tanssi
While Amorphis has slowly eased up on the death metal element, grunting vocals and all that, Ajattara, a side project of the Amorphis vocalist Pasi Koskinen is definitely something else. Ajattara's music is mostly medium-tempo black metal with some synths thrown into spice things. The lyrics, sung in Finnish, are excellent and what's best, sung so well you can actually hear them without consulting the booklet. Itse is very catchy album, with many excellent, if a bit simple songs.
Reviewed: 2002/09/22. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
BARRY ADAMSON: Moss Side Story
CD, Mute Records 1989
Track list: On The Wrong Side of Relaxation - Under Wraps - Central Control - Round Up the Usual Suspects - Sounds From the Big House - Everything Happens to Me - The Swinging Detective - Autodestruction - Intensive Cre - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - Free at Last - Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Chocolate Milk Shake - The Man With the Golden Arm
Barry Adamson's debut starts with a haunting contribution from the women with the most blood-curdling voice I've ever heard: Diamanda Galas. She sets the black-and-white tone of the album. Someone was killed, and Barry Adamson will provide the sound track. And what an excellent, dark world it is. I'm not sure, if I want to enter the world Barry Adamson paints a picture of here.
Reviewed: 2002/09/22. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
TIMO RAUTIAINEN &
TRIO NISKALAUKAUS: Lumessakahlaajat
CDs, Ranka Recordings 2002
Track list: Lumessakahlaajat - Kova maa (live) - Tie
Lumessakahlaajat is the third single from the latest Trio Niskalaukaus album. Besides the title song, which is very good, among the best tracks of the album, there are two songs. "Kova maa" is also familiar from the album. This version was recorded live at Provinssirock festival and it features Jarkko Martikainen doing some guest vocals. Third song, "Tie" is a cover, performed earlier by Sakari Kuosmanen. All in all, a decent single, but doesn't have as good bonus tracks as the "Surupuku" single.
Reviewed: 2002/08/31. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
BARRY ADAMSON: The King of Nothing Hill
CD, Mute 2002
Track list: Cinematic Soul - Whispering Streets - Black Amour - When Darkness Calls - The Second Stain - Twisted Smile - Le Matin Des Noire - That Fool Was Me - The Crime Scene - Cold Comfort
Barry Adamson is the king of cool. His music has definite movie soundtrack quality. There's traces of jazz, funk, rock and who knows what else, all mixed up to one shady and smooth album. If you're looking for something really cool, try this one. The package is complete with very good-looking digipak cover. Just listen to the first track, "Cinematic Soul" and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Reviewed: 2002/08/31. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
TORTOISE: Standards
CD, Thrill Jockey 2000
Track list: Seneca - Eros - Benway - Firefly - Six Pack - Eden 2 - Monica - Blackjack - Eden 1 - Speakeasy
This album of instrumental music is mostly ok, but also most of the time not catchy enough. There's some nice, groovy beats, but if you compare to this to, for example, Can, you can hear a lot of difference there. Few better tracks ("Benway", for example) stand out, but most of it is quite uninspiring.
Reviewed: 2002/08/27. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
TOM WAITS: Alice
CD, Anti 2002
Track list: Alice - Everything You Can Think - Flower's Grave - No One Knows I'm Gone - Kommienezuspadt - Poor Edward - Table Top Joe - Lost in the Harbour - We're All Mad Here - Watch Her Disappear - Reeperbahn - I'm Still Here - Fish & Bird - Barcarolle - Fawn
These songs are over ten years old, but they are new recordings. Alice is much more gentle album than it's companion Blood Money: jazz ballads, waltzes, theatrical music. This is also originally theatrical work, for a play loosely about Alice Liddell, the original Alice in Wonderland. This one's for those, who like the gentle blues ballad side of Tom Waits. Alice, for example, is quite remarkable song. Great work, simply put.
Reviewed: 2002/08/26. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
TOM WAITS: Blood Money
CD, Anti 2002
Track list: Misery Is the River of the World - Everything Goes to Hell - Coney Island Baby - All the World Is Green - God's Away on Business - Another Man's Vine - Knife Chase - Lullaby - Starving in the Belly of a Whale - The Part You Throw Away - Woe - Calliope - A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Blood Money is written for a theater play "Woyzeck". I've seen, but it was a different version. However, this would fit quite nicely. As you can see from the song titles, this isn't the most happy music ever recorded. The album features one of the very best Tom Waits tracks ever, "God's Away on Business". Rest of it is almost equally good, so if you like Tom Waits' musical curioties, you'll love Blood Money. To the uninitiated, caution is advised.
Reviewed: 2002/08/26. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
SWANS: Various Failures
2xCD, Young God Records 1998
Track list: Miracle of Love - Black Eyed Dog - The Golden Boy that Was Swallowed by the Sea - (-) - I Remember Who You Are - Her - No Cruel Angel - When She Breathes - Why Are We Alive? - The Child's Right - (-) - The Other Side of the World - Song for Dead Time (mg version) - Love Will Save You - Blind - Unfortunate Lie (instrumental version) - Was He Alive? - Failure - Identity - Can't Find My Way Home - Trust Me - Better Than You - Love Will Tear Us Apart (j. version) - Will We Survive? - Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes - God Damn the Sun - Eyes of Nature - You Know Everything - Song for Dead Time (j. version) - Picture of Maryanne - Amnesia - Dream Dream - Please Remember Me - New Mind (acoustic)
My only regret about this album is not finding it, say, five years ago. Back then I would've been even more impressed by it, if that's possible. The feeling is close to listening to Joy Division's Heart and Soul box for the first time. Oh-my-god-this-is-good! If you like your music heavy as lead (but not heavy as in heavy metal) and black as the night, here you go. The songs are atmospheric, beautiful and gloomy. Best comparison I can draw is to the House of Usher, who have similar melodies in their songs. Also, the double cd might be a bit expensive, but contains over 150 minutes of aural candy worth every cent you pay.
Reviewed: 2002/08/16. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
MOONSORROW: Voimasta ja kunniasta
CD, Spikefarm 2001
Track list: Tyven - Sankarihauta - Kylän päässä - Hiidenpelto including Häpeän hiljaiset vedet - Aurinko ja kuu - Sankaritarina
My first contact with Moonsorrow was "Kylän päässä" on Spikefarm Sampler cd. I thought it was brilliant... It took me a surprisingly long time to actually buy the album. Now I've done it, I wish I'd done it earlier. These guys rock! Their 10-minute long songs are epic, in a very positive sense. The lyrics are full of viking imagery, sense of honour and glory on the battlefield. Comparisons are drawn to Bathory, I personally think Moonsorrow is a black metal version of what Manowar is at their very best.
Reviewed: 2002/08/16. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
YVONNE SANCHEZ: Invitation
CD, Cube/Metier 2002
Track list: Old Devil Moon - The Way You Look Tonight - In a Mellow Tone - Feitico de Irena - My Romance - Invitation - Nica's Dream - All of Me - I'll Remember April - Lover Man - Well You Needn't - Dindi - Autumn Leaves
Yvonne Sanchez is a Czech jazz lady with a very nice voice. She's backed up by the Robert Balzar Trio, whose work I've enjoyed before. This one is no different. Sanchez performs cover songs and does that well. I think she's a good vocalist and the band is also very good. If you're looking for atmospheric and easy jazz music with vocals, here you go!
Reviewed: 2002/08/15. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
CIRCLE: Sunrise
CD, Ektro 2002
Track list: Nopeuskuningas - Satulinnut - Hautain takaa - Vaanen valtiatar - Kylän suurin miekka - Rautakotka - Paholaisratsastaja - Lokki
The new album by these Finnish masters of hypnotic rock music starts of with a surprisingly hard rock -ish track "Nopeuskuningas". And there's no turning back, Sunrise is a heavy metal album! Well, the second track, "Satulinnut", sounds very much like Kuusumun profeetta - it could almost be lifted from their album. Mika Rättö makes a strong appearance, so if you don't like his should I say curious vocal style, avoid this one. His presence on just about every album is a bit of a question mark, but I like him anyway.
Reviewed: 2002/08/04. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
U-STREET ALL STARS: Helsinki
Sessions
CD, EMI Finland 2002
Track list: Expander - Dancehall - Final Cut - Happiness in C - Mobility - Surma-Travels - Straight - Balance - U-turn
Helsinki Sessions is the fourth Finnish album released on the Blue Note label. I bought it after reading lots of good about it, mostly about how strong and energetic album it was. I can agree. After one listening to, I like it - the lead trio of alto and tenor saxophones and guitar plays with passion and feeling, while the background trio of drums, bass and guitar (so it's a quintet) keeps the beat moving with a firm grip. No wonder these boys have won a few prizes during their (still) short career.
Reviewed: 2002/08/04. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
VERDE: Karhun epäillään paskantaneen
golfkentälle
CD, selfpublished 2002
Track list: Valkoisella mersulla lyömään golfpalloja joutsenia kohti - Golfpelaajan harjoituskenttänä oli lintulahti - Karhun epäillään paskantaneen golfkentälle - Haamukalja - Talouskasvu - Metsässä näkemäsi eläimet ilmoita poliisille - Hakkuuaukko n:o 2 - Osta lisää - Kasvukeskus - Käsi nousee jo - Ohi kelistä välittämättä
Verde paints aural pictures. The curious and intriguing track titles feed the imagination and the music does the rest. Most of the songs are instrumental soundscapes, only "Käsi nousee jo" has "lyrics": a young girl is featured as a sports commentator. In a slightly silly way, indeed. So, watch out - you might be puzzled by this one.
Reviewed: 2002/08/04. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
CMX: Isohaara
CD, EMI Finland 2002
Track list: Päänsärkijä - Pohjoista leveyttä - Veitsenterä - Minne paha haudattiin - Isohaara - Revontulten repijä - Minun sydämeni on särkynyt - Post mortem - Lihan syvyyksiin - Silmien takana - Tuulilukko
The singles promised a lot and Isohaara keeps those promises. It's a brilliant album, I think. Lyrics are written in a similar style as on their previous album, the progressive and epic double album Dinosaurus Stereophonicus. However, Isohaara is no dinosaur. It's a lot more simple and straightforward album and sounds very, very good. There are few slow and smooth tracks and some quite heavy guitars too. And lots of wonderful tracks! I love it!
Reviewed: 2002/08/04. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
MILES DAVIS: Nefertiti
CD, Columbia 1990 (1968)
Track list: Nefertiti - Fall - Hand Jive - Madness - Riot - Pinocchio
Nefertiti is an album of tunes composed mostly by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, but with a distinct Miles Davis sound. The quintet (Davis, Shorter, Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams) play well together. Even when they play long solos, you don't get the feeling that they're just showing off their skills. But if you want to hear some nice, explosive drumming, check out "Hand Jive", composed by the drummer Tony Williams. "Explosive" is, in general, a good term to describe the album; "restless" would be fine, too. Wonderful work.
Reviewed: 2002/07/20. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
OLLI olliahvenlahti: Bandstand
CD, Siboney 2001 (Love 1975)
Track list: Breeze - Countenance - The Daughter - Cadenza for Christina - Sandy - Havana Two
My image of Olli olliahvenlahti is the smiling man behind the piano in TV shows - but he's done much more than just showtunes for entertainment. Bandstand starts with somewhat unnoticeable "Breeze". However, you can't miss the next track: "Countenance" is the definite peak moment of the album and alone is enough to justify it's existance. It's very groovy jazzfunk tune and would be a killer on the dancefloor. Rest of the album falls only a bit short of that.
Reviewed: 2002/07/20. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
NEW MODEL ARMY: The Ghost of Cain
CD, EMI 1986
Track list: The Hunt - Lights Go Out - 51st State - All of This - Poison Street - Western Dream - Lovesongs - Heroes - Ballad - Master Race
New Model Army is one of my favourite punk bands. Their songs are melodic and catchy - anything that makes you sing along a political or social lyrics is good in my books. The vocals are excellent and the album sounds very good. My favourite tracks are the singles "51st State" and "Poison Street", but also "Lovesongs", "Western Dream" and "Heroes" are especially worth checking out.
Reviewed: 2002/06/20. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
ORNETTE COLEMAN: Change of the Century
CD, Atlantic 1992 (1960)
Track list: Ramblin' - Free - The Face of the Bass - Forerunner - Bird Food - Una Muy Bonita - Change of the Century
Ornette might be free, but not out of reach. I find Change of the Century quite easy to "get". And why should one care about whether the music is understood in all detail? There's groove and energy in it and it doesn't sound boring and academical. What else do you want from any music? Try songs like "Ramblin'" and "Una Muy Bonita", for example.
Reviewed: 2002/07/19. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
JOHN COLTRANE: Soultrane
CD, Prestige 1987 (1958)
Track list: Good Bait - I Want to Talk About You - You Say You Care - Theme for Ernie - Russian Lullaby
Tempo of the tunes on this album goes from break-neck to mid-tempo to slow ballads. Little bit of something for everyone. From the intro of "Russian Lullaby", you might indeed expect a lullaby - but you'd be wrong! When Arthur Taylor's drums and Coltrane's sax kick in, the tune is nothing but sleepy. Gentler touch can be found in melancholic "Theme for Ernie", a composition dedicated to a deceased saxophonist. John Coltrane, an excellent musician on his own, is backed up with talented musicians (already mentioned Arthur Taylor, Paul Chambers on bass and Red Garland on piano) - the result is excellent, soulful jazz.
Reviewed: 2002/07/19. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
HECTOR: Herra Mirandos
CD, Warner Music 2001 (1973)
Track list: Ekhnaton rakastui aurinkoon (prologi) - Herra Mirandos - Asfalttiprinssi - Mystalgia - Olet lehdetön puu - Olen hautausmaa - Lumi teki enkelin eteiseen - Atlantis - Meiran laulu - Sisämaan retkellä - Takaisin Narniaan
I've never cared much about Hector - he's boring and plays boring rock music for grownups who were listening to him back in the 70s, or something. However, I had also heard some good things about his older albums and when I saw this one in library, I took the risk and borrowed it. It was worth the risk! Herra Mirandos features two of Hector's bigger hits, "Asfalttiprinssi" and perhaps his best known and most loved song, "Lumi teki enkelin eteiseen". Which is a good song, can't deny it. But the other songs, which I had never heard, we're quite wonderful too.
Reviewed: 2002/07/17. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
HECTOR: Nostalgia
CD, Warner Music 2001 (1972)
Track list: Yksinäinen tinasotamies - Sadepäivälaulu - Heinäpellolla - Karnevaalit - Mandoliinimies - Nostalgia osa 1 - Neitoperho - Aamukahvit - Poissaoloa - Syyskuu - Nostalgia osa 2
I didn't like Nostalgia as much as Herra Mirandos - perhaps because Nostalgia lacks the immediately obvious hits. With more listening to Nostalgia opens up a bit and turns out to be a good album, too. There are very good songs, for example the trio of "Heinäpellolla", "Karnevaalit" and "Mandoliinimies". If you're into folk-influenced pop music (and understand Finnish), give Hector a chance.
Reviewed: 2002/07/17. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
SENTENCED: The Cold White Light
CD, Century Media 2002
Track list: Konevitsan kirkonkellot - Cross My Heart and Hope to Die - Brief Is the Light - Neverlasting - Aika multaa muistot (Everything Is Nothing) - Excuse Me While I Kill Myself - Blood & Tears - You Are the One - Guilt and Regret - The Luxury of a Grave - No One There
The new Sentenced album starts with a traditional Finnish folk melody, accompanied with shouting cranes. The rest of it is very Finnish, too: the grim suicide mentality of "Excuse Me While I Kill Myself" is unfortunately something very familiar to the Finnish state of mind. Sentenced used to sound heavier, now they've taken a step towards lighter sound, with clean vocals. Result: it sounds a bit like HIM, but with less sugar on top. I like it!
Reviewed: 2002/07/15. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
MILES DAVIS: Milestones
CD, Columbia 1991 (1958)
Track list: Dr. Jekyll - Sid's Ahead - Two Bass Hit - Miles - Billy Boy - Straight, No Chaser
Milestones features Miles Davis Sextet, full of very talented musicians. Therefore it's no wonder they get the songs swinging very nicely. Tunes differ from each other a lot, most notable being "Billy Boy" with it's clinking piano. Two of the six songs are written by Miles. Wonderful playing (for example some very nice bowed bass), good songs, great swing, what else do you want?
Reviewed: 2002/07/07. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
CRADLE OF FILTH: Midian
CD, Music for Nations 2000
Track list: At the Gates of Midian - Cthulhu Dawn - Saffron's Curse - Death Magick for Adepts - Lord Abortion - Amor e Morte - Creatures that Kissed in Cold Mirrors - Her Ghost in the Fog - Satanic Mantra - Tearing the Veil from Grace - Tortured Soul Asylum
I've always found Cradle of Filth a bit difficult band to deal with. I don't like the band very much, I don't like the somewhat misogynic tone in their lyrics, but I do like the atmosphere they can reach at their best and I do like some of their music. Dusk and Her Embrace was, for example, a fine album indeed. Midian isn't nearly as good, but has it's moments. The beginning of the album is good: "Cthulhu Dawn", "Saffron's Curse" and "Death Magick for Adepts" are all good tracks. Rest of it is less impressive.
Reviewed: 2002/06/28. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
NICK DRAKE: Five Leaves Left
CD, Island 2000 (1970)
Track list: Time Has Told Me - River Man - Three Hours - Way to Blue - Day Is Done - 'Cello Song - The Thoughts of Mary Jane - Man in a Shed - Fruit Tree - Saturday Sun
Five Leaves Left is an album full of beautiful, melancholic folk songs. The arrangements are elegant and where Nick Drake's acoustic guitar is complemented with other instruments, it's done with great effect. Just listen to the dramatic sadness of the strings in "Way to Blue", for example. While I find Drake's later offering, Bryter Layter, a bit better with it's richer sound, Five Leaves Left is a very strong album too.
Reviewed: 2002/06/25. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
VESA-MATTI LOIRI: Loiri/Leino 1
CD, Fazer Musiikki 1994 (1978)
Track list: Höyhensaaret - Elegia - Tulkaa kotiin - Ja vuodet ne käy - Laulajan laulu - Nocturne - Väinämöisen laulu - Hautalaulu - Kun muistelen - Lapin kesä
This album doesn't fall short on lyrics. They are provided by one of the most important Finnish poets of all time, Eino Leino. His most beloved poems have been made into songs, performed by popular Finnish actor Vesa-Matti Loiri. He does a wonderful job on this album, I think. Credit goes also to Tapio Wesslin and Perttu Hietanen for composing the music. When I read the poems, I always hear the music. Wonderful, wonderful album.
Reviewed: 2002/06/16. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
MERZBOW: 1930
CD, Tzadik 1998
Track list: Intro - 1930 - Munchen - Degradation of Tapes - Iron, Glass, Blocks & White Lights
Merzbow is the very intense music - if you can call it music. Ask any Joe Average, and the answer you get is no. Merzbow crafts sound, creating terrifying atmospheres and emotionally heavy soundscapes. There's more to it than just random noise. The key to enjoying 1930 is to listen to it loud enough - it's probably best to do with headphones, unless you live far enough from other people or don't mind getting evicted. 1930 is not an album you would like to listen to twice in a row, but every now and then, it works wonders.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
SURUAIKA: Avointen hautojen päivä
CD, Plastic Passion 2002
Track list: Syvemmälle - Yksin - Haudan syleilyyn - Tuhat valkoista yötä - Syksy saapuu - Suruaika - Spiraali - Käärme kuiskaa - Miksi uhrasit rakkautemme? - Patricida
Suruaika ("Time of sadness") has finally released their debut album. I bought it despite the somewhat poor review it got and I must say I wasn't disappointed. Judged objectively, the songs are perhaps bit silly and definitely old-fashioned, in a bad 80's way. I still can't help enjoying. Some songs can be taken more seriously, for example the opening track, which borrows heavily from Pornography-era The Cure, is a quite fine song. In the other hand, there are tracks like "Syksy saapuu", which fall definitely to the camp department, they are simply too bad to be taken seriously. The album balances between being tongue-in-cheek and serious, you can take it either way. It's your call, I can enjoy it both ways.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
Dead & Gone #2: Totenlieder - Songs of Death
CD, Trikont 1997
Track list: Beasts of Bourbon: Rest in Peace - Lydia Lunch: Gloomy Sunday - Lydia Mendoza: La Boda Negra - Edith and Karl Dworak (Die Pepi Wichart Schrammeln): Stellt's meine Ross in Stall - Miranda Sex Garden: Gush Forth My Tears - Confraternite delle voci castelsardo: Miserere Funebre - Nico: My Only Child - Lou Reed: Goodby Mass - Trio Exvoco: Totenklage - Serbischer Leichenschmaus - Steirische Grabsängerinnen: Traget mich zu meinem Grabe - Bulawayo Church Choir: Funeral Song - Billie Holiday: Strange Fruit - Cassandra Wilson: Death Letter - Geto Boys: I Just Wanna Die - Jasper Smith: Died for Love - Kid Smith & the Virginia Dandies: Whisper Softly, Mother's Dying - Girls of the Golden West: By the Grave of Nobody's Darling - Albanische Totenklage - Diamanda Galas: Cris D'Avengle - Blind Man's Cry - Serbische Totenklage - Gary Floyd: From the Darkness to the Light
Like the first Dead & Gone compilation, this second is also quite a haunting experience. This time it's songs of death, a more diverse topic than the funeral marches. It also means more pop and rock music: there's Lydia Lunch, Miranda Sex Garden, Nico, Lou Reed, Geto Boys, Diamanda Galas and Billie Holiday, for example. Of course, there's probably more Serbian weeping music you will ever need. The result is a very curious bunch of songs, with perhaps a bit more sense of humour included than in the first compilation.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
CMX: Pohjoista leveyttä
CDs, EMI 2002
Track list: Pohjoista leveyttä - Kolme kimaltavaa neitoa - Väkivallan moottorit
This new single promises an interesting album on the way. The title track reminds me pleasantly of their earlier Aurinko album, which I like a lot. A return to their roots, perhaps? "Kolme kimaltavaa neitoa" is a slower ballad, and not really that interesting. Nice, but nothing special. "Väkivallan moottorit" is definitely single b-side material: it's a heavy metal track, not really album material but possible live hit. All in all, the single is very promising!
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
ORNETTE COLEMAN:
The Shape of Jazz to Come
CD, Atlantic ?? (1959)
Track list: Lonely Woman - Eventually - Peace - Focus on Sanity - Congeniality - Chronology
Ornette Coleman presents us his vision of the shape of jazz to come on this album. It's a pleasant vision. Especially the best tracks, which include the somber opening "Lonely Woman" and "Congeniality", are simply brilliant. Coleman's quartet plays well, the songs have a definite jazz groove in them, despite being avant-garde and free of extraneous rules and structures.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
MILES DAVIS: Bitches Brew
2xCD, 1999 (1970)
Track list: Pharaoh's Dance - Bitches Brew - Spanish Key - John McLaughlin - Miles Runs the Voodoo Down - Sanctuary - Feio
Bitches Brew is, they say, one of the finest masterpieces of jazz music. I don't know about that, but it is definitely a great album. There's not a single poor track on it and plenty of great ones. Miles Davis used a large group of musicians on this album and you can hear it - the sound is very rich and full of action. The music is mostly fast and groovy, while "Sanctuary" for example has slower and softer parts too. It all works out wonderfully. I haven't heard any jazz better than this, simply put.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
LAIBACH: Kapital
CD, Mute 1992
Track list: Decade Null - Everlasting in Union - Illumination - Le Privilege des Morts - Codex Durex - Hymn to the Black Sun - Young Europa Pts 1-10 - The Hunter's Funeral Procession (From the "Wunderhorn" trilogy) - White Law - Wirtschaft ist tot - Torso - Entartete Welt (The Discovery of the North Pole) - Kinderreich - Sponsored by Mars - Regime of the Coincidence, State of Gravity
Kapital features Laibach gone techno. This very long album is full of Laibachian grandeur and over-the-top dramatics. And that, my friends, is good and well. In the end, the tracks sort of blend into one big mass of similar beats and vocals, with few notable differences - "Hymn to the Black Sun" being the most explicit one. Gods, the song features a guest star rapper as a vocalist! That's something I didn't expect, but it works out well. Other key tracks include "Wirtschaft ist tot", "Le Privilege des Morts" and "Sponsored by Mars".
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
JETHRO TULL: Thick as a Brick
CD, Chrysalis (1972)
Track list: Thick as a Brick
Thick as a Brick is second major album of the Jethro Tull, right after Aqualung. It's a somewhat thematical album for one very simple reason: it's consists of only one song, a bit over 40 minutes in length. It is cut in two, obviously, being from the lp era. However, between the different parts of the song there are more variation than between different songs on some albums. Jethro Tull's music is a mix of progressive rock, hard rock and folk influences. Ian Anderson's flute works wonders and the music is generally quite cheerful and interesting. Ian Anderson is also a quite good vocalist and lyrics are clever.
Reviewed: 2002/06/13. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
PANASONIC: Kulma
CD, Blast First 1996
Track list: Teurastamo - Luotain - Vapina - Puhdistus - Jakso - Murto neste - Kylmä massa - Hahmo - Aines - -25 - Säätö - Kurnutus - Rutina - Moottori
Kulma is a challenging album. The whirr and click of machinery presents a problem to the listener. How to react? I react with enthusiasm. However, I'm not as enthusiastic about Kulma than A or Aaltopiiri - they are definitely better albums than this one. Why? I'm not sure, but I'd say it's because they are even more minimalistic than this, the essential is even more concentrated. Don't know for sure, but that's how I feel. Still, Kulma is a challenging alternative to the boring realm of catchy pop music.
Reviewed: 2002/06/07. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
METALLICA: Metallica
CD, Vertigo 1991
Track list: Enter Sandman - Sad But True - Holier Than Thou - The Unforgiven - Wherever I May Roam - Don't Tread on Me - Through the Never - Nothing Else Matters - Of Wolf And Man - The God That Failed - My Friend of Misery - The Struggle Within
The black album is no doubt a classic - or at least some of it's tracks are. While songs like "Enter Sandman", "Sad But True", "Nothing Else Matters" or "The Unforgiven" are among the best heavy metal songs, many other songs from this album have fallen into the oblivion. That's a bit of a shame, perhaps. They're really not that bad. Of course they can't compare with the big hits, but there are some minor hits on the album too. If you're looking for a heavy metal album, check the black album out.
Reviewed: 2002/06/04. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
OOOOOps-cokish
CD, 267 lattajjaa 2002
Mother Goose: Life Is Short - Can Can Heads: Tenho's Last Trip - The Blubberheads: When I'm With You - September Sounds: Dreamlike - Aïr: Apartment Building - Ilai: Kaisalle 25.10.2001 - Pillupuhelin: Jeesuskin maksa - Plat Ypus: Organic Machinery - Paraffin Affiliates: Iljusin - Unidentified Sound Objects: MDF-record - Unidentified Sound Objects: Choko AD - Hard-Boiled Truck Drivers: Little Sister - Clay Figure: Cooking Missionaries - Jolie: Kristallista - Lörsson: She - Murha Murha Itsemurha: Liha lisää elinvoimaa - O Samuli A: Viaton luontokappale - Space Rocket: Sperville Falls - Sienikeitto: Ulkosatama (Cargo Vessel Edit) - Grey Park: Very Out - Suction Cup Genitals: Gimme My Daily Perkele! - Murha Murha Itsemurha: Sori, ei tiskiharjaa - APO: Kai - Arkham: Kadath (Excerpt) - Planet Kengraij: Dogs With Delay - Agnosia: Stain - Gelsomina: Horns and Tail - Haare: Wahnsinn (a.k.a. Nebulah Storm in the 3rd House of the Rising Capricorn) (excerpt) - Insight: Glamorama - Toni Kandelin: Reburnia - Mother Goose: Minimal Pop
OOOOO is a Finnish mailing list, mainly focused on eccentric music. Somebody figured out that many of the list subscribers are active musicians and that it would be a great idea to create a compilation album of music made by the list members. Hannu Haahti was mental enough to take on the task and here's the result, a 100-copy limited edition compilation album. Most of the bands are quite unknown and styles vary from noise to soft pop. It is a very surprising experience...
Reviewed: 2002/06/04. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
ORGAN: Nekrofiilis
CD, Poko 2001 (1982)
Track list: Organ - Kaavakekauhu - Itäväylä - Kolme pennin kymmenystä - Kolme prinsessaa - Kani kertoo - Kärpästen juhlat - Peilimorsian - Aknebobbin - Regina Linnanheimon silmät - For next - Nekrofiilis - Kärpästen juhlat - Robotti - Kaavakekauhu - Kundi meikkaa - Suajele mua vähän jostakin päin - Neekerisuukkoja
Sometimes, on their faster, thumping tracks, Organ reminds me of DAF. Their sound is similar, synth sound from 20 years ago. Credit to Poko for rereleasing this Organ's only album with all three of their singles! Their first single, "Kärpästen juhlat", is also their best song if you ask me: steady drum beat, analogue synth bubbling and a vocalist with a bit too serious voice and surprisingly grim lyrics. Damn effective! Best tracks like "Organ", "Kani kertoo", "Peilimorsian", "Aknebobbin" are great, however not every track is of the same high quality. Still, this album is a must for fans of older electronic pop.
Reviewed: 2002/05/30. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
THE PLASTIC PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE:
Pulnocní mys
CD, Globus Music 2001
Track list: Pulnocní mys - a. Ruka b. Co zde sním a co zde vypiju - Mladý holky - Leze - Podvlíkacky - Vrátí se - Podél zdi a doleva - Z kouta do kouta - Zpívá - Pokousení
First, apologies to Czech readers for the lack of accents - I just couldn't figure out how to produce all the necessary characters. This band was partly responsible for the end of communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The way they were treated inspired Vaclav Havel, the current president of Czech Republic. With such merits, how about the music? Pulnocní mys, the midnight mouse, was recommended to me as an easily approached album. Well, after the initial "shock" of the uncomprehensible lyrics, the music sounds good. Comparisons are made to Zappa, Mothers of Invention, I don't know about that, but their music is definitely psychedelic and quirky. A bit progressive, maybe, interesting, no doubt.
Reviewed: 2002/05/28. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
IRON MAIDEN: No Prayer for the Dying
LP, EMI Records 1990
Track list: Tailgunner - Holy Smoke - No Prayer for the Dying - Public Enema Number One - Fates Warning - The Assassin - Run Silent Run Deep - Hooks in You - Bring Your Daughter... ...to the Slaughter - Mother Russia
Ah, Iron Maiden. My first step into the dark abyss of metal music, I still remember my friend forcing me to watch the video of "Be Quick Or Be Dead". Also, Iron Maiden is still my favourite heavy metal band. As this was one of the two of the Dickinson-era albums my collection was missing, I quickly grabbed it when I found the cheap lp at a Prague music shop. And what can I say? First class heavy metal. It might not be their best album, but it still has some killer tracks ("Public Enema Number One", "Fates Warning", "Run Silent, Run Deep", "Bring Your Daughter...") with some less excellent, but still nice songs. But of course, I'm bloody biased.
Reviewed: 2002/05/28. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
Eyes Wide Shut
CD, Reprise Records 1999
Track list: György Ligeti: Musica Ricercata, II (Mesto, rigido e ceremoniale) - Dmitri Shostakovich: Waltz 2 from Jazz Suite - Chris Isaak: Baby Did a Bad Thing - The Victor Silvester Orchestra: When I Fall in Love - The Oscar Peterson Trio: I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) - Jocelyn Pook: Naval Officer - Jocelyn Pook: The Dream - Jocelyn Pook: Masked Ball - Jocelyn Pook and the Jocelyn Pook Ensemble with Manickam Yogeswaran: Migrations - Roy Gerson: If I Had You - Peter Hughes Orchestra: Strangers in the Night - Brad Mehldau: Blame it on My Youth - Franz Liszt: Grey Clouds - György Ligeti: Musica Ricercata, II (Mesto, rigido e ceremoniale) Reprise
Maestro Stanley Kubrick's last movie got a mixed response, I think. At least my opinions were mixed. The movie was disturbing, both in good and bad. There was something haunting about it. Lots of it had to do with the music, especially Ligeti's "Musica Ricercata". Jocelyn Pook's work is also excellent, her "Masked Ball" is a top class atmospheric piece. Classical pieces are complemented with jazz selections and Chris Isaak. Eyes Wide Shut is a remarkable example of high quality movie soundtrack.
Reviewed: 2002/05/28. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
ROBERT BALZAR TRIO: Alone
2xCD, Cube/Metier 2000
Track list: Alone - Vinohradska Street 32 - Someday My Prince Will Come - Moon River - Quiet Now - Una Noche Con Francis - There Is No Greater Love - They Can't Take That Away From Me - Kenny - Nardis - Black Nile - In Your Own Sweet Way - Rob-in - My One And Only Love - Christiania
I admit my pretty much complete ignorance of everything about jazz. However, I've decided to embark on a journey to figure it out. So, here I am, interested of jazz and visiting Czech Republic, famous of it's great jazz bands. What could be a better souvenir, then, than an album of Czech jazz? The guy at the record store recommended few albums to me, of which I enjoyed this one most. And I do... I feel that I really can't say anything about it because I don't have the words for it. Therefore I just say that it's good. The trio (bass, piano, drums) plays smoothly, I especially enjoy the work of the drummer. One third of the songs are written by Robert Balzar, the rest are on loan.
Reviewed: 2002/05/28. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
Avanto 2001
CD, Avanto Recordings 2001
Track list: Kari Aronpuro: Urkertomus ("Kammottava vale") - Fennesz: Tradition Is the Handing on of Fire and not the Worship of Ashes - Alexei Borisov: Total NII - Es: Experimental Songcycles #1-5 - [The User]: LPT1 - ZGA: Miners - Toshimaru Nakamura: nimb #9.2 - Ruins: Untitled - Bas van Koolwijk: TST.04 - Jari Haanperä: Indoor Light - Comae: Portadyne - Shogun Kunitoki: 5.36 - Pekka Airaksinen: Epistemological Word Error - Sachiko M: div 1 - farmersmanual: Sonderzeichenmassaker - Circle: Sarvet - Otomo Yoshihide: FF - Op:l Bastards: Copenhagen - Semiconductor: LinEar - Keuhkot: Käynnistys on suuri hetki - Kari Aronpuro: Timokratian jänis
Listening to this CD makes me regret a lot that I didn't go to Helsinki to hear all these amazing acts live. Fortunately Circle and Ruins visited Tampere, too, so I didn't miss all the fun. Ruins definitely was fun, but that doesn't come through on this album as clearly. However, many other strange and confusing things are here to puzzle the listener. Tracks vary a lot, only common thing being their somewhat experimental nature. Most are also quite electronic. Some of my favourites include [The User], Sachiko M and Circle. This compilation probably doesn't compare at all with the real experience, but is a very interesting and quite challenging album on it's own.
Reviewed: 2002/05/27. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
PAN SONIC: A
CD, Blast First! 1999
Track list: Maa - Pala - Lomittain - Joskus - Askel - Ahdin - A-kemia - Johto 1 - Havainto - Etäisyys - Aleneva - Aktiivi - Rajatila - Johto 2 - Telakoe - Särmäys - Voima
The very reason why I give A the best grade is this: the album has everything necessary and nothing else. For some reason, I enjoy Pan sonic's buzzing and clicking minimalism very much. It takes a little more than a single click to make an interesting track and the magicians Vainio/Väisänen are very skillful to figure out what that little is. Grab a good pair of headphones, crank up the volume and concentrate.
Reviewed: 2002/05/17. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.
Dead & Gone #1: Trauermärsche - Funeral Marches
CD, Trikont 1997
Track list: Leichenzug mit Blaskapelle - Banda De Tontontepec: Tres Marias - Albert Ayler: Our Prayer - Robert Wyatt: Song for Che - Brass Band and Village Drummers in the Fanti Area of Ghana: A Village Funeral - Tuxedo Brass Band: Nearer My God to Thee - Begräbniskapelle aus Saigon: Trauer-Sturmmarsch - Jopie Vrieze's Klein Bazuin: Hymn - Buck Funk & Reverend Anthony W. Reves - West Lawn Dirge / Just a Closer Walk with Thee - "Banda Musicale" der Vucciria, Palermo: Karfreitagsprozession - Serbische Blaskapelle: Begräbnismelodie - Central Band of the RAF: Marche Funèbre - Olympia Brass Band: In the Sweet Bye and Bye - Willem Breuker Kollektief: Ases Death - Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester: Trauermarsch - Mike Westbrook Orchestra: Free as a Bird - George Lewis Eureka Brass Band: The Old Rugged Cross - Tom Waits: Anywhere I Lay My Head
This is a rather macabre compilation. I don't know if it's too healthy to listen to this kind of music all day long, but if you enjoy sad music, here's a fine compilation of various funeral marches. Most of the songs are performed by various brass bands and orchestras, but there's some variation. Most touching, at least to me, is the simple "Marche Funèbre" performed by the Central Band of the RAF. The melody is familiar to most of you, I'm sure. The cd features also quite nice and humorous pictures by Josè Guadalupe Posada, you just have to love those little skeletons. They sure do lighten up the otherwise sad and serious mood of the compilation.
Reviewed: 2002/05/17. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
THE DEAD BEGINNERS: Sinners' Rebellion
CD, Spikefarm 2000
Track list: Calling Ruby (Last letter to the First Lady of Jesus Christ) - Treason via Magdalene - The Wounderable One - The Paragon and the Beast of Burden - Amadeus 2000 - La Cathedra - The Illfated - Sinners' Rebellion - Dead Beginners
The Dead Beginners is pretty much the multi-instrumentalist T. Sitomaniemi, who plays all the instruments except drums and most vocals. The music is quite typical synth-backed black metal, not exceptionally furious or imaginative. However, the third track, "The Wounderable One" sounds more interesting. So does "The Illfated", which is without a doubt the best track on the album in all of it's melancholic heaviness. "Sinners' Rebellion" features the strongest vocal performance of the album - and that's what connects the three songs: they all have vocals by T. Sitomaniemi. I rest my case. Those three songs are enough to warrant a better than average grade.
Reviewed: 2002/05/17. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
MY BLOODY VALENTINE: Loveless
CD, Sire 1991
Track list: Only Shallow - Loomer - Touched - To Here Knows When - When You Sleep - I Only Said - Come in Alone - Sometimes - Blown a Wish - What You Want - Soon
My Bloody Valentine was for a long time a band I was planning to check out. The opportunity finally presented itself in form of this cd found in the local library. Now I wish I had found it earlier. Loveless is a wonderful album. My Bloody Valentine sounds fuzzy, the guitars form a noisy, soft wall and the vocals (male and female, both silent and soft) sort of sink in that cloud of music. The result is dreamy. Single tracks don't really stand out (still, if you want to check out only one track, try "Blown a Wish" which is the high point of the album to me). Loveless is very gentle and relaxing trip.
Reviewed: 2002/05/17. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
MORRISSEY: Your Arsenal
CD, EMI 1992
Track list: You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side - Glamorous Glue - We'll Let You Know - The National Front Disco - Certain People I Know - We Hate It When Our Friends Become Succesful - You're the One For Me, Fatty - Seasick, Yet Still Docked - I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday - Tomorrow
The album sounds quite different than anything made by The Smiths. However, I think Morrissey shouldn't even try to copy that. His own music is interesting enough. Of course, there's the familiar Voice. If that's what you like the best about The Smiths, Your Arsenal is quite an enjoyable fare. However, I find The Smiths musically far superior to Morrissey. Still, this isn't a bad album and there are few quite good tracks ("You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side", "The National Front Disco", "Certain People I Know" and of course, "You're The One For Me, Fatty"). At least I find Morrissey's style interesting, he's definitely a notable singer.
Reviewed: 2002/05/17. Initial grade: 3. Final grade: n/a.
KROKO:
Furia
CD, Verdura 2001
Track list: On Fahrenheit And Little Bit Celsius - Ambient Ballad pt. I - Polanski After Ski - On The Sunny Side Of The Meat - Agent Weird - Liero - Bad Day For Mr. Rudiment - Sol Ist - Budala Ptiza - Bummärtti - Fire Will Bring Me Home It's What My Soul Needs - Trukki - In Your Fratze - Sweet Home Albamama - Colors + Rainbows + Teddybears - Setzur Au Naturelle - Ambient Ballad pt. II - Roikkuu Katosta
This albums starts with someone snoring and being waken by an alarm clock, after which starts the second track, Ambient Ballad pt. I. The title is some irony, as the song is quite noisy. And that's what describes the rest of album, as well. Noisy. Some of the tracks are recorded in studio, many are recorded live, some are planned, some are improvised. All are instrumental. There's one that is seven minutes long, many which are short noise bursts under one minute. Sound is generally distorted, loud and rough. There are few easier, softer tracks, but most often the sound is violent.
Reviewed: 2002/05/15. Initial grade: 4. Final grade: n/a.
STEREOLAB:
Switched On
CD, Too Pure/Duophonic 1992
Track list: Super-Electric - Doubt - Au Grand Jour' - The Way Will Be Opening - Brittle - Contact - Au Grand Jour - High Expectation - The Light That Will Cease To Fail - Changer
After reading an article about post rock from a Finnish music magazine and listening to one mp3 song ("French Disko"), I expected this one to be good. I wasn't disappointed. Stereolab is very close to Neu!, they have the very same motor-like, should I say Teutonic beat in their music. It's not made by machines, it's made by humans but it emulates a machine. Still, Stereolab is very organic. There's the machine beat and a damn fine groove created by drums, guitars, bass and analog synths and on top of that, very beautiful and soft female voices singing. I don't know how this could be any better.
Reviewed: 2002/05/15. Initial grade: 5. Final grade: n/a.