PORI

After going more to the prog and krautrock direction in two previous albums Circle made also concept album. Album name is the name of their hometown and all the songs are based on the places in the Pori or historical events of it. In this album all the members are same as previous "Fraten"-album. I think this album got much more attention and good reviews when it came as the previous ones.

It would have been possibly that many Circle fans were really suprised when hearing albums first song "Perustamisasiakirja 8.3.1558" (=town´s founding document 8.3.1558). This instrumental song is made by just acoustic instruments and it just sounds contemporary classical music with its atonality. But no, in the second "Vesitorni/kaupunginsairaala (=water tower/ town´s hospital) the direction goes back to the typical nineties electronic Circle. This 5/4 rhythm cheerful piece is with Zopalkis "Valerian" one of my favourite nineties Circle songs. In the end guitar paints really beautiful sounds. The next "Back To Pori" is also albums highlights. Straight and tight guitar starts straight after previous song and continues very intensive feeling. There are again "Meronian"-language singing. When album was released, Mika Taanila directed great video to this song. "Suurpalo" (=the great fire) is little drone piece with some noises. "Kartano"(=manor) is very mystic piece with beautiful singing, have to mention also great female voice in it. In the end of song keyboards and guitars started to play very chaotic sounds. "Promenaadikeskus" (=promenadecenter) has quite same structure as previous song, but it puts together two different rhythms succesfully. This song is maybe little bit too long when there isn´t happening much in the end of song. The next "Kruunu Päähä Pori Kuningas" is very relaxed and has a great quiet period in the middle of it where you can hear beautiful triangle sounds and birdsinging. This song is also maybe little bit too long.

"Seisomakatsomo"(=standing auditorium) is also made by only acoustic instruments and its really beautiful and mystic, one of the albums highlights. Next "Karhun Kansaa 1" (=the bear´s folk 1) is the most oppressive song in this album and reminds much "Zopalki"-album. "Porin Jazzjuhlat -65" (=the Pori Jazz Festival -65) is very funky piece with saxophone. In the end of the song there comes acoustic guitar and interesting sound effects. This year came the first vinyl version of the album and there are also added studio outtake "Yyteri" (=name of the beach near Pori where for example Rolling Stones played in the sixties). This uptempo song is really great, reminding Zopalki songs. Hard to understand why it wasn´t on album in the first place.

I think this album is with "Hissi"-album the greatest Circle nineties albums. But because I like more the 2000 period, when Mika Rättö & Janne Westerlund joined the band, I give only four stars to it although this may deserve five.