PSYKEDEELISIÄ JOUTSENLAULUJA

A sweet sound drifting from the chilly north woods

Scarlet Thread is surely one of the most exciting current bands on the Finnish scene. The origins of the band begin in 1995 when leader Jani Timoniemi began to record demos with session players under the name Scarlet Thread. The line-ups have changed often over the years and Jani is the only member on this particular album that still exists in the group today. The others departed soon after this release which might make you think this album is shaky, but just the opposite is true. This is one hell of a debut. According to one of their webpage bios the band is about mixing styles of music: rock, jazz, and folk, with the understanding that emotion should always trump complexity in the songs they compose.

This all instrumental album is warm and inviting, fascinating, and quite difficult to describe. While others mention groups like Tull, Renaissance, Kansas, and Anglagard in their descriptions, none of these groups would to me have conveyed the correct musical image. Scarlet Thread of this album I would describe as a bit of an updated psych flavored jam-band with a north woods feel, their sound instantly conjuring images like the album cover. The woodlands, nature, ogres and sprites, and the smell of damp leaves as you walk through the forest on a cold morning: all depicted superbly with folksy violin and peaceful flutes aplenty. These two instruments are heavily featured here, lead instruments if you will, along with Timoniemi on both acoustic/electric guitar and bass, and the drummer. A bit of Hammond and Moog are supplied by guests. They occasionally remind me of Kebnekaise, Grateful Dead, Camel, "Battle of Evermore" Zep, and Mostly Autumn but those reference points are as lacking as the first ones I mentioned. Scarlet Thread must be heard. This is a band that has become an instant favorite of mine for the reason they allude to in their bio: they expertly weave the guitars/violin/flute into a wispy smoke of melodies and emotional landscapes that entrance me. It's an extremely pleasant 35 minutes that I recommend highly to fans of friendly acid-folk and lighter psych jam-band campfire stompin' music. They have an organic sound with a distinct Finnish vibe that I equate with freedom and a sense of home and hearth. They're probably going to hate me for this rather flaky review but my heart was in the right place-I love it! 7/10

Scarlet Thread were basically formed in 1995 in Oulu, Finland by guitarist Jani Timoniemi, who spent the first few years recording with the help of session musicians.The first appearance of ther group would be a fact through the '' Tuonen tytär: A Tribute to Finnish Progressive'' compilation album, however the line-up changes continued to occur.Towards a first album Timoniemi collaborated with violin player Eini Pesälä, flute player Anni Pesälä and drummer Panu Koskela and in 2003 Scarlet Thread debuted on Mellow Records with the album ''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja''.The album features also Timoniemi's long-time bassist Jukka Jokikokko as well as Timo Kuukasjaarvi on organ and Mika Pohjola on moog synths.

The album is completely instrumental Progressive Rock, what is really weird though is the limited time length, as ''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja'' runs not over the 35-min. mark.This is not necessarilly bad, as Scarlet Thread chose to play a guitar-based Psych/Prog Rock with violin and flute drives here and there and an extended running time would possibly make the album sounds a bit boring.As it is, the band's first work is well-crafted and pleasant with Timoniemi's guitars leading the way with good solos, psychedelic grooves and even some ROBERT FRIPP-like extreme exercises.But the nice bits of violins and flutes add the album a nice rural feeling and a lovely, folky mood.With some decent interplays and melodies by the Pesälä backing duo ''''Psykedeelisiä joutsenlauluja'' obtains a great Scandinavian atmosphere, changing from ethereal to more powerful.The middle tracks with the presence of organ and synths are definitely the more rich-sounding with a complete and professional sound and some great inspiration.

Not the most diverse of Prog related works out there, but Scarlet Thread's first release is a satisfying album of guitar-based Progressive Rock, containing influences from Classical and Folk Music as well as some great guitar workouts that need to be spread wider.Recommended.