holy shit, i'm alive?

hi all. yep, it's true. i'm still here. been a while, no? anyhoo, i think i'll give you something nice now since you've all been sooooooooooooo patient (i think?)

so... this is a big one. as you may know, i am a big fan of all things finnish, especially droney folky musicy stuff. this here is a 3 cd collection of tracks from the mysterious and smokey artist Uton. three cds are a lot to cover here, so imma gonna let mr. brad rose do the talking about this one.

"Where to begin with a 3 CD set of one of my favorite artists around... that's not easy. Last Visible Dog's massive "Whispers From the Woods" set is an essential, monolithic look at one of the most underappreciated artists in the sprawling Finnish scene. This release compiles many of Uton's (aka Jani Hirvonen) essential, but out-of-print, releases along with some bonus unreleasted material. It's a huge set, but for those who haven't yet experienced the forest spirit that is Uton, this is the best possible place to start.

The best disc here is the first, just because it finally gives Uton's essential "T?m?n Sanan J?lkeen" CD-R (originally released on Hirvonen's own, now defunct, Haamumaa imprint) the proper reissue it deserves. This densely textured album is the aural emergence of the first primeval woods centuries ago. This music has an old soul and Uton's use of dark electronics in conjunction with acoustic instrumentation is nothing short of spectacular. This is a wholly satisfying release, combining all the elements that makes the Finnish underground so great.

Also of note is the long out-of-print CD-R on the Jewelled Antler label, "Ay Um Au Lam." This seven-song release was Uton's most impressive foray into minimal droneworks. Hirvonen never overwhelms you with the electronic tones on "Ay Um Au Lam." He knows when to hold back and let the listener's imagination fill in any gaps or cracks that he leaves out. It's an underrated skill, but is used to perfection on this album. "Ay Um Au Lam" is the logical precursor to what is my favorite Uton release to date, "The August Light." Where that release had rich, organic threads weaving through it, like it was the modern music of the magic woods, "Ay Um Au Lam" is more primitive. It's the primordial soup that all life emerged from. In this simple state, this is pure beauty.

The other releases on "Whispers >From the Woods" expand on these various themes and offer a deep insight to Uton's modus operandi. The more noisy and abrasive "Mik? Kasvaa Maan Sis?ll?" (from the noise label Hammasratas in 2003) has an almost childlike feel to it, like a baby learning to finally walk. And there's the underrated 3" from 267 Lattajjaa, "Buddhamania," that is like the same moments from "Mik?," but from the perspective of a concerned, yet proud, parent. It's full of anticipation and fear. This is simply an awesome collection by a wonderfully talented artist.

Uton should be mentioned in the same breath as all the better known acts from Finland. Sure, popularity or recognition means squat these days, but in the end, more people need to hear these excellent compositions. Jani Hirvonen knows what he's doing and does it very, very well. "Whispers From the Woods" is essential for fans of Uton and those who have yet to discover his brilliance. 9/10 -- Brad Rose (25 July, 2005)" - from the Foxy Digitalis page.

huge release for sure, get this while it's hot.

Uton - Whispers From The Woods

cd 1:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dxgwmyiruqh

cd 2:
http://www.mediafire.com/?toomeyyzmmm

cd 3:
http://www.mediafire.com/?m0m3ndkuzgn

finland might have more snow than i do right now...

ok folks, more finnish free-folk for you today!

here we've got an album by that ever-so enchanting chanteuse Kuupuu entitled "Kulta Sulka." this album is a little more ADD than some of her counterparts, sounding at times closer to the weirdness of Anaksimandros or Kemialliset Ystavat than the more homely sounds of Lau Nau. there's also hints of american acts like Grouper or Fursaxa in her sound, but it's still very strictly Finnish. loads of reverb drenched vocals and delay pedals being put to full use here, but this is not a noise album. it's very pretty in an odd sort of way, and striking how memorable these songs are (even though i don't understand a word of what she is singing when she is singing...)

it snowed about 10 inches here last night. fucking nuts.

warm up with this, folks.

Kuupuu - Kulta Sulka
http://www.mediafire.com/?zznneitoxjt

three finnish ladies making a lot of racket

Hertta Lussu Assa are a trio of three wild ladies from the ice cold lands of the Finns. the trio consists of Kuupuu (!), Islaja (!!) and Lau Nau (!!!). this album has a wide range of sounds, from noisy and weird to crystaline and beautiful. there seems to be an excess of electronics on this album as compared to the folkier sounds that these ladies usually stray towards, but this is no harsh noise or glitch affair, there's just a lot of electronics that go with that folk. each of the ladies brings their unique sound to the table, and they each compliment each other really really well. this is one of my favorite of the free-folk stuff to come from Finnland ever. well worth your download.

Hertta Lussu Assa - Bink Sweat Album
http://www.mediafire.com/?j2mn22qonxm

the finns aren't known for their free jazz...

maybe they should be?

rauhan orkesteri are a free jazz combo (featuring a tolvi brother or so...) that spit and sputter through four tracks of sparse and spluttry reeds. really interesting, and never boring. this is a good listen. it's short and it's a fresh take on a genre that isn't seen too much from the folkers of there region. they had an lp on Qbico too. yeah.

sorry for the little update. i'm on a weird computer (the keys stick. i hate that.) and just don't feel like typing a lot.

Rauhan Orkesteri - Felix 3"cd-r
http://www.mediafire.com/?nmwyomgnlzm

i'm moving to finland.

duh.


Lau Nau


Islaja


Kuupuu



Hertta Lussa Assa


(note: i mean this not in a lecherous way. maybe just a little...)

finland doesn't freeze all hearts

Lau Nau... oh boy, what a sound. sparkling and crisp, rich with humming drones and vibrating voices, this is some of the most lovely folk music you could ever want. at times sparse, other times overflowing with sound, this ice princess will make you swoon over her tiny voice and delicate folk sensibilities. it makes me wish i could speak finnish, really.

this album, "Kuutartha," is chock full of lovely songs that are unlike some of her fellow finnish free-folkers because she relies much less on noise and random instrumentation and sticks to a more "traditional" approach. that's not to say these are traditional folk songs at all, you just don't find a wall of electronics and reverbed voices populating every song like you would with, say, Kuupuu or Islaja.

oh, and she's also played with such groups as Kiila, Avarus, Anaksimandros, Paivansade, Rauhan Orkestari, is married to one of the Tolvi brothers, and is one of the members of the awesome trio Herta Lussa Assa (with Kuupuu and Islaja, a dream trio if you ask me!)

totally great finnish free-folk that will warm your heart on cold days.

Lau Nau - Kuutartha
http://www.mediafire.com/?2zdm2kyzgha

circle around the forest people

there are a lot of bands out there that do the krautrock thing today, but really none of them recapture the spirit of the early 70's as well as the band Circle does. Hailing from finland (yay!), these gents really really channel Can and Harvester well, especially on this album ("Forest"). more recently they have been falling into the "NWOFHM" territory, mixing a little Judas Priest with their Can worship. Live, they are not to be missed (the one time i saw them my head was hurting by the time they took the stage so i really wasn't enjoying anymore, but knew they were insanely good. the other bands on the show were Urdog, Dead Meadow, and Sword Heaven.)

since they are channeling Can and Harvester remember one thing: repetition is key. this album can be a little tedious, but it pays off and is a very good listen.

for fans of the afore mentioned Can, Harvester, Finland, the more peaceful moments of Acid Mothers Temple, No Neck Blues Band, and many other free rock bands.

they have like 50 albums out. they gotta be doing something right, right?

Circle - Forest
http://www.mediafire.com/?tuq0injlkjl

finland, oh how i love thee...

and all the fucking weird folk music you sprout. it must be something about desolate winter landscapes that makes people want to record such personal and beautifully strange sounds.

Islaja is one of my favorite artists coming from the current crop of finnish free-folkers. being one of the more prominent voices from the scene, male or female, she crafts an otherworldly brand of folk that sounds as if fursaxa were backed by an orchestra playing children's instruments. this album, "Palaa Aurinkoon," is much more of a serious affair, unlike her cd "Meritie" which is much more light-hearted and fun seeming. this is dark, wistful, and lonesome music, much like the wintery lands she hails from. truly, this snow angel is capable of something most musicians wish to achieve: true catharsis and emotional range. her heart is in all of these songs, and it makes me want to cry a little bit.

absolutely stunning and crystalline in it's beauty, this album is the perfect soundtrack for a bitter cold cloudless winter's day. wonderful.

Islaja - Palaa Aurinkoon
http://www.mediafire.com/?z3mhyxn0q4m