MERI JA AVARUUS

This group presents here many facets, and one of the main is prog-folk. That doesn't mean that this work is bland, predictable and/or too soft. By the contrary. Harmonies, path and structures are almost always surprising. And as on 4th and 6th tracks both instruments and vocalist gets more agressive. They also use elements from jazz, rock, chamber music and even some jazzy blues. Another feature that collaborates for there singularity are the vocals, sometimes narrated, many times truly emotive, and sometimes slightly dissonant. Very rich, and for that I give my first score - 4.9.

The drummer is also astonishing - 4.6

Be prepared to here a huge amount of violin, on all the tracks. Fortunately with an incredible diversity: fingered, as on the beginning of 2nd track. As a chamber instrument on some tracks. With irish tunes, as on the 7th song. There's even a track that is performed only by him - the 3rd.

Now I'll tell about the introduction. I love when the group finds an outstanding tune and decides to start it on piano solo. When they begin the album this way, they really capture my heart. And Vimma performs it so gentle, soft but also with intriguing double tempos, that it stands as one of the highlights of this disc.

I don't give them 5 stars or a note close to that because of two errors (for my taste and audition): the decision to give such great space to the violin most of the time is the best decision; but sometimes its tunes aren't so amazing. Other thing: some instruments make great contributions, but have too little space on the album. Examples: guitar, piano and clarinet.

A strong 4.4 stars.