TARINOITA VOIMASTA

Three of these band members were involved in a contemporaneous prog folk group named VIIMA whose debut came a year after this one, which translates to "Stories about Power". Vocalist Paivi Kylmanen only lasted one album there but has been a mainstay in KOSMOS, so perhaps she favors their more pastoral vibe, though I am only familiar with VIIMA's debut which was more of a TULL meets CAMEL while taking Finnish language lessons in Turku affair.

Apart from one track, "Tarinoita Voimasta" is uniformly mellow, which is one of many compliments I can pay it and perhaps the only criticism I can level against it. When they do break out in "Salaisuis" it's a bit overdone but I admit I don't hate the riff. For the rest, the sweet "Luuttomat" was reprised on VIIMA's first in a similar format and, while I think I prefer the KOSMOS arrangement, I do miss the sax in the breaks. "Oisin" is a bit less bright than most here, with a melody similar to "Decades" by JOY DIVISION, you were expecting what? The quasi instrumental "Seerini" is another highlight, with only Paivi's vocalese offering an indication of any humans across a wide tract of Nordic landscape. Really, all the tunes between the prelude and postlude have much to recommend them in the way of TENHI but more happy with its lot and a whole lot steadier. I do get the feeling their subject matter is not intraworlds apart.

After a reviewing diversion to Brittany, I am happy to be back in Finland, especially its longer days replete with joy and, as always, reflection.