IN MURMURATION

I was about to pass on reviewing this crazy and amazing album by Von Hertzen Brothers but wow, lucky I read a review 2 days ago that said to give it a few tries - to give it some time - it will deliver. I said NO! It just didn't seem to stand up to the last sublime album Red Alert in the Blue Forest. Perhaps i was still stuck somewhere in the forest. Where was the proggyness, where were the subtle undertones, where were the melodies, the secrets, the essence of what we expect from Von Hertzen Brothers and where was the next level they would take me to?

Was I mistaken! Yes, and very much so!

This album is truly a testament to the kind of masterpiece Von Hertzen Brothers have shown time and time again they are more than capable of crafting together. A dynamic rock anthem album with wild progressive overtones!

1. Relapse - Dirty, fast, back to the early mid and late punky 80s mixed with mid 90s chugger- but wait it's like Motorhead there for a second. Perhaps Ace of Spades. But wonderful VHB take it all on - a release from it all - we fly into a gorgeous escape. This is the day a lucky monk escapes from the monastery. As a bass player i have to give total respect to this journey. Add to it they kidnapped the guy who played Sax on Red Alert in the Blue Forest and fired him out of the cannon. This is pure fantasy rock, punk, 90s, 80s, new wave, Krautrock, headbanging insanity. Jail House Hertzen !

2. A Good Life - We get a small moment to relax but not for too long. The inner reflection of VHB - classic lyrically poetic with a rock ballad style - but not the mushy kind. The keyboard synth is magnificent - the production superb - the wonderful thing about this band is the meaning behind the perfectly placed lyrics. As many reviewers have mentioned to date, this is a risk reward album, you get out of it what you put in. This takes time to explore; and then some more.

3. Starlings - OK here we go back the the VHB song Jerusalem era, the War is Over album - but ... wooahh ! Way more about real future or the here and NOW. We were just playing with war back then. Dangerous times we are living in and we may not get through this - but somehow we will. The continuing theme and use of nature to echo the world we live in, the uniqueness of animals and of the beauty and wonders of life. This track is perfection. Not only did i imagine starlings flying around in formation - I became one of them and flew.

4. Ascension Day - By now on most normal albums there has been some kind of relief or calming down. Not on this one. First 4 songs are a "banger" as they say these days :) This one is an anthem song! Not sure who it is meant for, but I am in ! I may be a little older than VHB but i can clearly say - we need an anthem song right now - back in the early 80s it was all about those kind of songs. Queen really knew how to do them, and bands such as Oasis. The Beatles had done some in years gone by but the 60s and 70s really didn't have everyone together like the 80s did in the musical media sense of the word. I love it that although VHB are in far away Finland they produce world togetherness, lyrically and musically. In a time when we are all divided by those who wish us to be divided - this is very refreshing.

5. Beneath the Silver Stars - Finally - there is some escape from the intensity - strings and melody and the wonderful VHB harmonies- its time for introspection. Once again, we are back to nature, the stars, the sky, the flying in our dreams. Love and what the future could bring - we are still hopeful. In the late 60s we were still thinking of the moon and astronauts. How space is still like the ocean - we are growing - can we escape ..... ELO are on their final tour right now - somehow i think they would be in awe of this beautiful song. "Hoping that the Earth won't turn too soon"

6. Tightrope Walker - Suddenly, London is Calling and we are walking a very high up tightrope - maybe Tom Waits was growling some song in some smoky folk club in Soho while the Who had got back together and all the while David Bowie and the Clash had made a crazy song together. Some hints of Kingston Wall in this one for sure - Sami the KW drummer having a lot of fun so far on this album. Still upbeat and energetic - the song started out just being a little tipsy, but dramatically got a little more intoxicated - then totally plastered drunk - very dangerous for a tightrope walker - incredible! Then the Beatles arrived and saved the day with their mystery tour. Great track!

7. The Change - At last - we have some rest for a small moment, speed and musically wise, but lyrically, its quite a lot more complex. A few signals to Sargent Pepper but something more I cant quite explain off the bat. This kind of a musically coming out ! In the fashion of the band having felt perhaps being constrained - by what is expected, what is accepted, enjoyed. Then towards the end of this there is a child like acknowledgement and I imagined Freddy Mercury singing in a huge arena high fiving a giant Walrus !

8. Separation - From the childhood memories - life and relationships love and loss - sweet engagement - how we struggle to connect with each other. Self indulgence is (or can be) music's triumph.

9. Snowstorm - We are suddenly back on track ! The drums and beat coming in kinda slow n heavy with a nice guitar riff. We need to get back to where we were at the beginning of this album. Not sure if we ever will. Things may just go stagnant! Let's churn through this one and off we go! Once again VHB deal with life and death, relationships, time going by, the world, our communal experiences. Half way through this song takes us into what VHB are all about. Seriously, an amazing Pink Floyd/Deep Purple/King Crimson moment kind of experience, for me any way, you can insert your bands in there as you will.

10. Wait For Me - One of the most wonderful parts of VHB last album (Red Alert in the Blue Forest) was the track All of a Sudden You're Gone. I didn't think they could out sing that one - but here it is. My favorite of this exceptional album. "Don't sail away just yet" Let us not forget each other. Time is fleeting - if one of us should perish - let us wait for the other, lest we be alone - perhaps I will go first - and if I do what will you do? I imagine we will all go to the small star in the sky somewhere at sometime. Enjoy every day and your time with family and reach out to your old friends. Even if you have none or no-one, you do with this personal and sweet album.

Best take away from this album. Energy, energy, energy! What was so creative about this album, from a progressive point of view, was that they kept it a secret! It really does take a lot of time to get under the sheets, so to speak. I also have to give Sami Kuoppamäki (Kingston Wall drummer) a hell of a lot of kudos. Sami is very much loved for his incredible drumming, sometimes overpowering the rest of the band, not his fault of course. Finally VHB got a reign him in, total perfection you guys! The overall production, as usual is out of this world. Not sure who they have in Finland who can produce as immaculately as this, but other bands need to take heed. From an initial 6 out of 10 - its a NOW a 9 out of 10 right now guys. Well done !

Don't forget to read the official VHB blog on why they made this album and how they wanted to get back to the music, the fans and the hands in the air! Fantastic !

Edit! Watch out for Tightrope Walker :)