Vihma

Amazon.com
Värttinä's latest outing finds them in the schizophrenic position that many quirky pop bands face. Half the tunes here sport rhythm tracks clearly aimed at getting a bit of mainstream radio airplay--a dance club remix of the title song is even included. At the same time, the band's traditional side has never been stronger--"Uskottu ei Uupuvani" and "Mieleni Alenevi" feature the band's trademark Finno-Ugric harmonies with minimal accompaniment, and have a chilling emotional power. Since the band rose to fame on the quirky quality of their traditional music, the hip-hop influenced beats--which often sound as if they were tacked on to the arrangements at the last moment--seem ill-advised. --j. poet

Tracks:

Vihma
Tielle Heitetty
Emotion
Paivan Nousu Nostajani
Laulutytto
Uskottu Ei Uupuvani
Maa Ei Kerro
Kylan Kavija
Mieleni Alenevi
Neitonen
Aamu
Kauan Kulkenut
Vihmax (Vihma Remix)

Amazon.com

Värttinä's latest outing finds them in the schizophrenic position that many quirky pop bands face. Half the tunes here sport rhythm tracks clearly aimed at getting a bit of mainstream radio airplay--a dance club remix of the title song is even included. At the same time, the band's traditional side has never been stronger--"Uskottu ei Uupuvani" and "Mieleni Alenevi" feature the band's trademark Finno-Ugric harmonies with minimal accompaniment, and have a chilling emotional power. Since the band rose to fame on the quirky quality of their traditional music, the hip-hop influenced beats--which often sound as if they were tacked on to the arrangements at the last moment--seem ill-advised. --j. poet

Customer Reviews:

Varttina Just Plain ROCKS!!!.......2004-09-23

Now, there are those who boldly suggest that Vasen is THE premier Scandinavien Folk Band. I don't happen to think so. Hedningarna had its day. Tra was the only CD worth its salt that ever came from them, but after the ladies left, NOTHING. HOWEVER, when it comes to Varttina, they have consistantly, cosistantly, CONSISTANTLY, turned out some of the best Scandianvien music I have ever heard. The Vihma CD is simply Varttina's best of the best. Don't get me wrong, Kokko is good, too. Ilmatar is equally as good. However, Vihma is a cut above the rest and comes highly reccomended. Vasen? Hedningarna? Varttina is THE premier voice coming from the Land of the North.

Varttina takes a darker turn ..........2003-12-31

The word "Vihma" seems to denote a fierce, cold wind and is a name aptly chosen. Following in the pattern of other Nordic "neo-folk" groups like Garmarna and Hedningarna, Varttina's sound in this album takes on an edgier, heavier tone. The music tends toward the minor and the dissonant, punctuated prominently by percussion, while loneliness, disenfranchisement and despair figure prominently in the Finnish lyrics. Vocalist Sari Kaasinen is gone from the lineup and Susan Aho is now a featured singer. Most of the selections were written by singer Sirpa Reiman and multi-instrumentalists Kari Reiman and Janne Lappalainen. Track #9, "Mieleni Alenevi, is especially interesting, featuring the dissonant harmonies of the female singers against a background of whistling Tuvan throat-singing by Albert Kuvezin and Aldyn-ool Sevek (who perform in several other numbers as well). While "Vihma" has a markedly different sound from Varttina's earlier work, the change suits them and I applaud them for stretching their wings and flying into the wind. Previous releases by Varttina include the lighter-hearted "Kokko", "Aitara" and "Seleniko". A subsequent release, crafted in a dark vein similar to that of "Vihma", is "Ilmatar". For more music by contemporary Nordic artists drawing inspiration from the past, try any of the three "Nordic Roots" collections from the NorthSide label, or the compilation "Wizard Women of the North".

Let your spirit dance freely..........2003-09-14

...and purchase this CD! Varttina is one of the best things to ever come out of Finland! The style of music on this CD is amazing, mixing traditional rhythms and language, modern equiptment and mixing....it truly is beautiful! Familiar yet exotic, whichever your pleasure, Vihma is a must in any music collection!

like an earthquake.......2002-01-31

As I first listened "Seleniko" and "Oi Dai", I wasn't prepared to this unbelievable shift in Värttinä's style. It's very hard to explain how the band preserved his original, enchanting touch, together such a wonderful change in both rythm and instrumentation. I liked the past performances, but I'm very glad to listen this new - and different - one. There are a use of electronical music of great effect, although acoustical music isn't at all without its praise, and the throat-singer guest plays a very impressive part. Värttinä's voices are at their best, as always, and every track sounds with a "dreaming effect" I couldn't find elsewhere. Even if I find, as usual, some favourite tracks, I have to remark that the whole album is very praiseworthy: as stated by other reviewers, this is a very must-have for every fan of this wonderful band.

Very very very good...........2001-07-31

I can only agree with the NIN comparisons. This is one of the few world music records that works well with the new sounds. btw. the newer sounds are only on some of the songs. This is a good beginner cd for people who wants to start listening to world music. Stand out tracks : "Vihma", "Emoton", "Uskottu ei Uupuvani" ( with throat singers from the great band Yat-Kha ), "Maa Ei Kerro" and "Kylän Kävijä".

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