ANTTI LOUHIVAARA

After releasing two digital albums containing pieces that were composed in a long time-line, Louhivaara made his CD debut with this one compiling compositions from both Sinputus (2020) and Karmiekonytisti (2023). All instruments --guitars, bass, keyboards, software, drums -- are played by Louhivaara who's also responsible of producing, recording and mixing. The result is very, very good from the technical point of view. He's among the most convincing one-man bands I know.

Many track titles have witty wordplays that I'm not trying to explain to non-Finnish speakers. With 14 tracks all more or less oriented to nearly ADHD-ishly playful writing style highlighting the complexity and technical ambition, listening to the entire CD through gets rather exhausting. I'm not exactly sure if the best pieces come in the beginning or is it just that my ears and mind are getting tired. 'Sinputus' (the longest one at 8:39) is pretty impressive, and also 'Lirpsutus' has nice dynamics. 'Kaiutus' is a little mellower in comparison, at least partly, and would't be a disgrace at all on Pekka Pohjola's albums of the 80's or 90's.

While I like the fast, Zappa-esque xylophone/vibes parts on 'Leidit Aivan Kiinassa', it's durig this very track (No. 4) that I already begin to feel tired and start to think that this music is a bit too much for the brain and far too little for the heart, if you know what I mean. The waltz-like elements on 'Valssaan ja Poraan' are fairly amusing. 'Kujerrus' contains also a sax-sound in its diverse arrangement. Nevertheless, the further I listen to the CD, the more I start questioning whether I honestly, wholeheartedly enjoy this music. New sonic details keep coming -- for example Eastern influences on percussion in the final piece 'Allihuuppa' -- but the overall approach stays very much the same, ie. very restless, without moments for a rest and in benefit for the emotional dynamics of the whole. There are no truly memorable melodies either. This is why I'm rating this CD in the middle ground.