LUONNOSSA

A song I heard in the radio got me interested in this Finnish folk-rock band. I don't remember which one of the nine songs of this debut album it was, but especially two things pleased me a lot. The presence of flute, and the charming, bright voice of the female vocalist Jenna-Marie Laine. The six-piece band has a folky, mellow sound reckoning the heydays (late 60's, early 70's) of psychedelically nuanced folk-rock. The keyboard sounds are mostly Mellotron-like. One could also think of the mellow department of the early 70's Rock Progressivo Italiano. Celeste, Errata Corrige etc.

The opening song 'Uusimisia' has some psychedelic sonic effects while the second song leans more sincerely to the melodicism. Curiously the songs in general are happily light-hearted and yet simultaneously containing some melancholic side to them, too. For the song structures, the progressive tendencies are pretty minimal actually. It's perhaps more about the overall sound that makes this band a pleasant discovery for the folk-minded prog listeners. The A side of the vinyl ends with 'Kevään liekki' that features very charming Baroque pop ingredients.

The B side grows to be the stronger one. 'Niinitie 52' has a very beautiful, melodically soaring chorus, and a solos for electric piano and flute. The flute indeed is well present throughout the album. Especially the electric piano on some songs adds a jazzy feel. On 'Taivaanrannalla' the keys sound lovely. The final song 'Kaivosmies' has an instrumental tail and features Jimi Tenor's sax guest appearance.

I like this album for its innocence, brightness and peaceful charm, although any prog listener naturally would welcome more notable prog ingredients in songwriting.