HUUTOJA HILJAISESTA HUONEESTA

I find it sad that this highly personal Finnish band hasn't gained reviews here. Naturally the change of language from English (MOON FOG PROPHET) to Finnish makes it less exportable than the earlier phace of technically the same band, but neither have my countrymen expressed any interest even though the band have achieved some kind of a cult status in Finland... But even more so have CIRCLE and ABSOLUUTTINEN NOLLAPISTE, and sadly they share the fate of minimal PA attention.

This is KP's fifth studio album, the title meaning "Shouts from a Silent Room". Whereas the preceding one, Lyhtykuja (2008), was rather cold and almost hostile in atmosphere, this is -- at least for me -- a return to the form. To the warmer, more intimate and song-oriented style, depite the fact that the former [post-rock] band of the new additional guitarist Harri Sippola, MAGYAR POSSE, is quite the oppoite. The sound is gentle, thoughtful and slightly hazy, but not at all feeble or dull. Mika Rättö is a unique vocalist who can distract some listeners with an extreme approach, whether in the style of PETER HAMMILL or an ageing chanson artist using a lot of vibrato. One can sense a little of both here, but his always emotionally strong expression avoids the extremities on this album.

The songs operate mostly in an autumnal mood. The opener lifts a melancholic "Toast to life", and that reflects the mature feel of the whole album. "A giant without a master" is a very impressive and progressive-tasting song. On the closing song 'Pavut' ("Beans") guests Aki Peltonen's accordeon. Perhaps only for listeners appreciating intimate, low-key elegance there are no weak tracks, but there are also more dynamic moments to prevent the album from being too harmless and mild.

There's depth and delicacy comparable to some later output of PETER HAMMILL (albums such as Everyone You Hold, 1997). I want to remind especially all my Finnish readers of this fine band: if you're not yet familiar with them, this album is a very good place to start.