HYÖNTEISIÄ VOI RAKASTAA

The actual Rock appears to have been surgically removed, instead, a highly clinical and tightly rhythm focussed approach has been used with very simple little fragments woven together to make up pieces that are intended to seem complex or experimental.

While the approach to harmony often makes many nods and winks to bands such as Magma in its dischordant richness, and the apparently contradictorily sparseness of overall texture makes me think of 1980s Crimson, the structures here are generally very simple pop song forms.

Where they are not, the band gets lost in the trap of unrelated tangential changes, indicating a distinct lack of developmental prowess. On the positive side, where the band uses the more familiar structures, they have a good feel for continuity in flow, and relate all the ideas smoothly, with adept arranging skills.

Much of the music here seems to be "for its own sake" - which may be a good thing to many listeners, and there's no shortage of variety in textures, which will please those who enjoy the sound of a piece as much as the piece itself.

I enjoyed many of the variety of textures and different stylistic approaches in this album - particularly the over-sampled techno feel of "Pannuhuoneesta".

"Luottamus" shows great potential in song-writing ability, albeit with many uncomfortable moments of uncertainty in direction - as if the band wanted to avoid some of the more predictable moments. This is a pity, as when they leave the piece alone and let it flow, predictably or not, it really works as a superbly melancholic song with some great arrangement touches, particularly in the vocals and synths.

It does have to be pointed out, to the Pavarotti fans, that the vocals have a kind of operatic tendency, but are not fully fledged operatic tenor by any stretch of the imagination ;o)

"Myrskynmusiikkia" is a real piece of fun, with its 3 main contrasting sections; 1) A chunking metal-based riff, 2) an undulating guitar/keyboard supporting a rich vocal melody and 3) The band going off on one.

So while the basic musical ideas are very simple, the overall sound is incontrovertibly that of a Prog music band. There's very little real experimentation here - more a recycling of old ideas - but there are a lot of really great touches, particularly in the keyboards, vocals and arrangements.

Unfortunately, these tend to be moments rather than a consistent feature of the music as a whole, which is happier to settle into musical ideas as a butterfly settles onto a flower then moves onto the next one.

Some people enjoy watching butterflies flitting around flowers - and why not? :o)

A good album - really good in places - but not an essential part of your Prog Rock collection.

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