KUKIN KAAPPIAAN SELASSAAN KANTAA

Kukin Kaappiaan Selässään Kantaa (the fancy title means "Everyone carries his own cupboard in his back") is the first album of KUUSUMUN PROFEETTA, which was a direct continuation of MOON FOG PROPHET founded in 1994. The line-up did not change when the Pori-based quintet started performing in Finnish instead of English, and the band members themselves made it clear in a prog magazine interview that it's only depending on the used language which one of the monikers is used. But admittedly there also was a notable stylistic change. After recording in 1999 the progressive magnum opus Taunting Tin Bells Through the Mammal Void (released in 2002), the band felt like they had reached the end of one particular path. "Shifting to Finnish language and acoustically oriented expression wasn't a result of any firm decision but rather a naturally found new path", the bassist Mikko Elo declared.

If MFP was often compared to Peter Hammill /VdGG for the intensity, this delicate album of folky psychedelia may be best associated with the early 70's late cult artist PEKKA STRENG. One critic wrote (my translation is rough): "On top of the soft rhythms, acoustic guitars and sparkling electric piano, Mika Rättö lays out his unbelievable lyrics and melodies approaching naivety. The combo plays reducedly around one feeling, from which the vocalist's awesome lyrical world raises up powerfully." So, as you surely have figured out by now, the full enjoyment of this album would require the understanding of Finnish language -- as one could say about Pekka Streng as well.

Several songs such as the opening track (= "At the turn of the century") have a charmingly light-jazz acoustic sound reminiscent of PENTANGLE with the electric piano addition. Mika Rättö's at times falsetto-approaching and intimate singing style reminds me of ROBERT WYATT. The third track (= "Candles light up early") beautifully concentrates on acoustic guitar and moody vocals. Even the instrumental piece 'Aamuyön tunteina (= "On the wee small hours") is loaded with mood. On 'Kysymysten sali' (= "The hall of questions") Rättö is reading a philisophically inspired narrative on top of a relatively uptempo and jazz-flavoured bright playing that reminds me of Pekka Streng's song 'Puutarhassa'.

'Kukkana niityllä (= "As a flower on a meadow") has a nearly hypnotic, sweet and relaxed beat, and the vocals are deliberatley naiive in high register. 'Askeleita rannalla (= "Footsteps on a shore") is another instrumental. Electric guitar weaves bluesy melodies over the slow and hazy psychedelic backing. Pink Floyd might have recorded this for their More soundtrack. The next song's title means "Princess Pink", and it's equally hazy up to Rättö's meditative singing. The final song 'Akvaario' (= "Aquarium") is perhaps my favourite because of its calm melancholy that keeps lingering on one's mind. The moving lyrics deal with being an outsider.

It was years since my last listening of this album which charmed me already on the first listening long ago, and I didn't remember how much I really like this. Definitely not for everyone's taste, and a great deal will be lost if you don't speak Finnish.