MALADY

Malady from Finland released its first LP on the SVART label in 2015, presenting to the public its analogue sounding retro-prog with influences of early Camel, Meddle-era Pink Floyd and probably seventies Finnish groups like Haikara and Wigwam. By recording the album the authentic way the band reaches a sound that does actually sound like the real thing - an album recorded in the early seventies - but it als greatly diminishes the mixing possibilities. The album does offer a lot for fans of the retro subgenre; great melodic guitars, soft psychedelic rock landscapes, warm organs and some nice echoey fuzz guitars. The singing in the Finnish language adds to the obscurity feel, though the vocals aren't a particular highlight on this release. The album has some great musical themes, chord progressions and solo's, but it all feels like it is (live) performed rather hastily; a mistake that almost every starting band would make back in the seventies. My guess is that this album will charm a lot of people despite its flaws, but I myself would recommend listening to their more mature 2018 follow-up record 'Toinen Toista' first. I wouldn't be at all surprised at all if this band will one day release a great retro-prog album like Jordso's Nattfiolen (2019), so fans of this genre should keep a close eye on this band.

This is the debut of a new band out of Finland called MALADY released in 2015. A five piece and three of them at least are multi-instrumentalists. We get vocals on four tracks as he sings in the Finnish language and I like his voice. The two short tracks do not have singing on them. Man this makes me regret the decision to hold off doing my Psychedelic list until this Summer. I was going to start this new year but decided I want to review some of the music I already have including stuff that's on the way. The music here has a strong psychedelic vibe but we get folky pieces and those retro symphonic ones and for the most part it's quite pastoral and JORDSJO isn't a bad reference at all as this Finnish band uses the old school analog equipment. This is warm and soft but not without it's breakouts.

We get two guests adding flute and another, actually the producer adding mellotron on the short closer. Love the guitar sound and style, in fact I was reminded of LANDBERK at times. Heck I was reminded of Sweden a lot with this one(haha. And I feel that this is a mature release for the debut as they really keep their enthusiasm in check with little in the way of showing off like many young bands like to do. Very disciplined in my opinion. But man this is all about the mood and atmosphere that they bring to the table and I want more. Just love that retro sound when it's done right.

Highlights include the 8 1/2 minute opener with that returning guitar melody throughout that brings LANDBERK to mind. Themes are repeated here and it's surprisingly dark with that opening bass line as sounds echo. Relaxed vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. It does kick in with the guitar and organ providing the amperage. The other song I really like is "Aarnivalkea" and at 10 1/2 minutes it's the longest. Just love that opening sound as the organ floats in while fragile vocals arrive. Bass then guitar before a minute. It's louder 2 minutes in with the organ and drums leading the way. Vocals and mellotron lead then a minute later it brightens thanks to the guitar mostly. Vocals are back and more determined 4 minutes in. The section that follows is energetic and "up" then another calm before 9 minutes.

The third track "Pieniin Saariin" is 8 minutes in length and the vocals bring another band to mind but I can't think of the name. Vocals go from mellow to more passionate like the music. "Unessakavelija" is my final top four. The two shorter songs just aren't nearly as good as the four long ones in my opinion. This one is 7 1/2 minutes long with some piano and even a Canterbury vibe with that organ later on.

Again this one is all about the mood and sound and the seventies never sounded so good. These guys do it right. A very solid 4 stars.