KIKI PAU

After a five-year hiatus Helsinki based outfit KIKI PAU have a new splendid album ready to race. The main title points to woodland sprites which are deriving from diverse Finnish mythologies. Hence I would not be surprised if this album was developed somewhere in the nowhere, which means the endless nordic woods. Or at least will be inspired by diverse expeditions over there. Taking place in summer, some birds' twittering will give you a clue in between. The band is generally twin guitar driven, and since the start in 2007 the line up hasn't changed. A favourable move anyhow, concerning this album they have added a keyboarder, though not as a regular member, it seems. You'll experience an increasing flow, right up from a mellow psych folk drenched entree to a rather heavy and expressive finish.

Just let me say that KIKI PAU have everything done correctly, for example vocals are in English. Sorry, if I will cause negative feelings here and now. When it comes to rock music I don't like native Finnish singing, simple as that. With the title track couple they eventually are turning towards space and kraut rock with an obvious motoric and looping execution. Also some really meaningful synths are striking. The second part shows them hurrying up to a real rock band, even with headbanging qualities if you will. The extended Seeds finally replicates the album's flow in one go, supported by some nice violin attendance. Man! This foursome has provided an atmospheric new piece, no question. While hearing great sensitivity overall, meanwhile I really love this one.

— First review of this album —

This Finnish band must have been added quite lately, I didn't have any idea of their inclusion into PA when I borrowed this CD from library. I first got curious after reading - exactly a month ago - a gig article from our largest newspaper where they were called as mannequins of the evolution of the Finnish prog. "Having started with half-baked indie rock the band re-established themselves with their 2013 album Pines, in which are combined the flavour of old Finnish prog, mistily swinging psychedelic stickiness and self-assured playfulness." (Sorry for not finding proper English words for 'kuulaus' and 'jumitus'!)

Well, just as can be figured out from the article, on this second album they haven't yet found their [prog] style. Frankly this music mostly sounds like indie rock indeed. Perhaps 'half-baked' in the sense that no compositions nor the arrangements are very sophisticated, but the certain honest nature is also its strength. I'm not much into that type of rock so I'm not very qualified in naming references. Vocals are a bit like in bands such as Crowded House or Coldplay but with more street credibility. There are two guitarists and no keyboards. Most songs are in rather fast tempo, some are more playful than others. Not very much of psychedelic flavour either; I think the early U2 can be estimated as equally psychedelic. Actually this music occasionally reminds me somehow of early U2 (which I like).

The absence of prog doesn't mean this wasn't fairly good rock music. Most of modern non-prog middle-of-the-road rock leaves me totally intact and uninterested, but I mildly enjoy some tracks here - not listened to with prog ears but with more easy-going earthly ears. Apart from the 10-minute closer 'Moon Palace', not much of anything sticks into my memory, but on the other hand it can be considered as a good sign too: it feels OK to play the album for the second round immediately.

The most stand-out track 'Moon Palace' is interesting, calm, slow and atmospheric. The sparse vocals have some Lou Reed feel here and there. I believe that may be a conscious attempt. Hopefully I get the chance to hear the aforementioned latest album, since already here they show some promises.