TUVALU

The third long player of the band is in my opinion justifiably titled solitarily with their name, as I consider it concluding wonderfully the development of their own sound and style. The record is just full of some really powerful moments awaiting the ears of a willing listener:

Solemn pillars of sound in the opening indie rock anthem, building up a cathedral of pathos; Rolling melody verses waving the shores of turbulent musical sea named "Parahin Nicola"; Distant calls whispering behind delicate electronic layers of sound in a void impossible to name; Charmingly neurotic chord progressions weaving beautiful melodies upon rhythmic complexities of "Pimeys on ystävä", which draw together the interesting aspects familiar from both post-Thrak era King Crimson and rhythm section of Rush; Tension building and release reaching religious heights of "Tulvien jälkeen"; Diverse treatments of iconic melodic patterns creating smoothly flowing celestial "Fantasmagoria"; Aggressive outburst of rhythmic and melodic innovations in realm of "Valkoinen sumu nousee"; Finally a massive curtain closing the royal cosmic thesis.

The diverse musical elements mingle together here even stronger than in earlier albums. Symbolist cosmic fantasy themes give room this time for more abstract philosophical personal dialogue. The feeling of the record is slightly more warmer and calmer than in the two earlier albums, but contains also the familiar aggressive elements being part of the group's style. In both melodic and emotional level this stuff is also comparable in my opinion to Anekdoten's "From Within" and "Ricochet" albums, though there are no Mellotrons here. This association is borne probably due melancholic and grandiose styles both relating slightly indie rock sound. It is interesting how these powerful visions can be drawn from this kind of sound also; Those qualities most certainly do not seem to depend on only elitist approach. Certainly here is life and power enough to blow my mind, and decide this record has to be the best pick from the current albums of this cute group.