MAAÄET

And that's exactly what Tenhi does in this album. This modern band plays a very depressing and beautiful type of folk with an atmosphere that only Scandinavians are capable of emulating. Delicate and beautifully mellow are two words I would use to describe Tenhi's Maaäet, an album with a story to tell with every note. From the first piano notes of Varpuspäivä you'll know that this won't be an album for celebrations nor triumph, so leave your hopes at the door and take your wistful mind with you because it's the only thing you'll need from now on.

The songs in Maaäet are more aimed at creating emotions on you rather that being lush and elegant so it ends up being more sincere and to the point. Having said that, Tenhi does have the necessary instrumentation to be elegant and lush like many other bands, but they decide to keep things simple and use them when the music demands it. Strings sound mournful, pianos sound delicate, flutes like an empty breeze and acoustic guitars played like if it was the last days on earth. The drums in here don't sound intrusive (a problem I have with drums in folk music) and they're only present when needed. The instrument that stands out on this album are the vocals. These are the vocals that one would think when listening to this neofolk music, deep, dark and melancholic. I know nothing of what they're are saying and there's no need to. Just listening to Ilmary sing and the emotions he portrays with his voice are all the things needed and it adds so much to the music that it wouldn't be as depressing or as dark without it.

This album is one of the most depressing recordings I've ever listened to. It's so gloomy, desolate, melancholic and pessimistic that it can bring you down for the whole day if you listen to this in the morning. Maaäet rarely raises it's voice, it prefers to keep things slow and calmed. This is recommended for fans of , well, depressing music, neofolk and even post-rock (the atmosphere Tenhi create are similar to that of post-rock bands in their most depressing moments, but with acoustic instrumentation). Great for late-night listening and not intended to be played very often, unless you're a gloomy person.

Share this TENHI review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to chamberry
• Report this review (#125811)
• Buy TENHI music online with PA partners
• Show all TENHI MP3/Stream
• Go to TENHI page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Maaäet page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for TENHI related discussions