TABULA RASA

This single preceded the eponymous debut, both songs are outtakes from it. They represent the two different musical styles that the album's contents can roughly be divided to. 'Prinssi' is a sensitive and melancholic song. I think the band were at their strongest with this kind of emotional stuff, especially concerning the tender vocals of Jukka Leppilampi who wasn't as convincing in the more rocking territory. On the debut the greatest highlights are, in my opinion, 'Gryf' and 'Vuorellaistuja' that succesfully combine this emotional depth and dynamic progressivity in the structure. 'Prinssi' may lack notable prog trademarks, but it's a beautiful little song. The delicate arrangement featuring guitar, flute and piano (played by WIGWAM's Jim Pembroke!) is lovely.

'Lähtö' isn't a bad rock composition per se, but the vocals become a bit phoney when Leppilampi approaches the David Byron -like hard rock vibrato. Silvennoinen has a ballsy electric guitar solo near the end and Jarmo Sormunen's flute has a nice Jethro Tull flavour, even though it's too buried in the slightly blurry mix. Unlike Tabula Rasa's second single, their final release which contains two non-album songs, this one is pretty non-essential.

The new singer was Jukka Salmela whose positively ordinary vocals suit very well to the less proggy pop-rock style of Tabula Rasa after the more symphonic debut (1975). 'Rakastatko vielä kun on ilta' (= Will you still love when the evening comes) is a rather straight-forward, slightly funky, harmless, chorus-repetitive song, but a fairly good one as such. The listener simply shouldn't be expecting to hear any prog in it. The lyrics are this time by the great late Juice Leskinen.

The B-sider is 'Yksin' (= Alone), composed, as always, by the guitarist Heikki Silvennoinen and with Alatalo's lyrics as usual. This is equally a non-progressive pop song, in a slightly slower tempo. It succesfully captures the melancholic emotions of a fresh family man temporarily away from his wife and child.

As far as I know, this single has always been highy appreciated in Finland (by the rock/pop audience in general, not by those who cried after the withering prog genre), and I personally agree that these two tracks are good pop of the time. There have been great prog bands who turned into bad pop, and it's surely better to do good pop than a bad hybrid of prog and pop. And regarding that one gets two non-album songs, this single deserves three friendly stars.

Once again, the lion's share of the songwriting is left to guitarist Silvennoinen, except Glass Bead Game (obviously named after Hesse's book) where newcomer KBist Sinisalo gets a co-credit, though it does make much a noticeable sonic difference. Even Gustavsson's (Wigwam) production and backing vocals don't make much a sonic difference between Ekkedien and the band's debut album. Actually, there is one track that seems to stick out a bit from the TR mass, the A-side?closing Omantunon Rukous (or sumthing of that ilk), because the dramatics suddenly peak to the country's highest hill; but in all honesty, you won't get much jollies, unless being particularly non-demanding.

Btw, at the time of reviewing, I was only able to get my hands upon a Japanese label pressing of both of TR album, but I can't imagine that Love Records will not reissue these two albums in the not-to- distant future. The album's artwork is certainly a big improvement on their debut(s very bland (and very blank) artwork, but its fantasy-cum-sci-fi nears the ridiculous, as it is a total prog cliché, and not even a good one. Soooooooo, as far as I can hear, I don't find this second album inferior in any way to the debut; the additional KB compensating for the loss of the flute.

But this work is full of melody, beautiful guitar and sounds very much like the early "Camel" (mainly "Snow Goose" and "Moonmadness"). Some symphonic jazz tints complete the picture during the excellent opener (and probably the best song of the whole) but not only ("Uskollinen").

I miss the fine fluting of their debut though, and the vocal parts are less charming than what they used to be (to say the least). Some might say that this work is at times borderline plagiarism and could almost be considered as a "Camel" one if you would except the vocals (in their native language).

Do take this album for what it is: a romantic and melodic work of symphonic prog with some folk attributes ("Aamukasteen Laiva" or "Rakastaa"). Sit down, relax and enjoy. "Ekkedien Tanssi" is not as good as their debut: some songs towards the end are rather flat: "Kehto", "Babyla Rasa" but the guitar part in the good closing number ("Säästä Mun Pää") is splendid and full of passion.

Both bonus tracks are only valid thanks to the instrumental sections. Three stars.

If you like some Tullian sounds, this effort might well suit your taste. From the wild opener "Latho" to the melodic "Miks' Ette Vastaa Vanhat Puut" your faithfully is charmed. Fine fluting and melodic vocals (although not understandable for my ear but it doesn't matter) are the attractions of this mellow song.

This album is almost all of symphony and beauty. Sweet compositions, delicate keyboards are the union for "Tuho".

The mix of music featured can be rather disturbing: from wild and rocking during "Gryf" to tranquil and peaceful music à la "Fruupp" indeed (as some of my fellow colleagues did mention during their reviews) during most parts.

I quite like this album, not taking it as a masterpiece into account; because there is a flaw like the popish " Tyhja On Taulu"

Within instants, the band can revert to a much more complex, almost Crimsonian sound. Such is the very good " Nyt Maalaan Elamaa". Wild guitar, delicious flute, severe bass and gorgeous keys. Do you need anything else???

Some folkish sounds are also available while the long " Vuorellaistuja" is being played. Again, vocals are quite moving (even if I don't grab a word). And what to say about these magical and very much "Genesis" oriented musical parts! Great moments of music for sure.

Even if the wah wah guitar feature sounds a bit old fashioned, it is always a pleasure to listen to such a good piece of guitar work. And what to tell about the expressive flute part? This song is for sure the absolute highlight from this release.

Four stars for this beautiful and melodic work.