TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI

I would like to start my first review with this album. And what i'd like to say is that this is the best finnish rock album ever! I really can't find anything negative about the sweet 54 minutes and 50 seconds this album can offer to us. This also (As many of us already know) one of the first rock albums recorded in Finland. I think that only Blues Section recorded before Tasavallan presidentti, being also released around the same time as Hard 'n' Horny by another finnish rock band Wigwam.

Album starts with an Introduction. A simple song, about 50 seconds long featuring Flute, acoustic guitar and organ. The song quickly melds to the first "Real song" You'll be back for more. Excellent song with a killer riff that is simple yet flashy and stylish at the same time. Obsolete Machine is heavily blues influenced track with nice fluting by Juhani Aaltonen. Whos' free has some really stong singin by Frank Robson. Next tune is one of the high points of the album and one of the greatest songs by Tasavallan Presidentti called I Love you Teddy Bear. Really emotional Ballad with a beatiful flute intro. Crazy Thing NR1 is really worthy the name! Strange little song indeed... Drinking is ano of the highlights also. Story about a guy who would like to "Walk naked in to that bar and kick the doorman in the face". Crazy Thing NR2 is pretty much in the same as the NR1. Drivin' through starts with groovy bass riff and is all together, really good upbeat song (Not in a "Happy" upbeat way!). Ancient Mariner is an inch progier piece than the previous songs. Surreal instrumentation and "story telling" manner speak instead of singing. But then it comes! Wutu Banale! One of the four absolutely golden masterpieces on this LP along with You'll be Back for more, I Love you Teddy Bear and Drinking. Very special and atomospheric instrumental composed by the bassisti Måsse Groundeström. Woman of the world is good but nothing too special. Roll over yourself is a true Rock n roll song with great piano bashing. Last song is Thinking back, very, very beatiful piano song with birdsa singin in the background, composed by the band guitarist Jukka Tolonen.

One thing about the album is the members. Jukka Tolonen (Guitar) was 17, Vesa Aaltonen (Drummer) 19, Måsse Groundeström (Bass) 20, Frank Robson (Lyrics and keyboards) 23 and Juhani Aaltonen (Flute and Sax) 34! Such wonderful music by such young artists (Well except Juhani Aaltonen of course!)

All together Tasavallan Presidentti is "Quarter to perfect" LP by the the best finnish rock band ever.

PS: Since this is my first review, i wanted it to be long. Don't be scared, i won't review every song on my forthcoming reviews!