Great album! Really! After the first listening I'd normally be a bit worried as I liked almost every song instantly (because of longevity), but it has never been a problem with Korpiklaani so I'm not worried.
I'd say it is refreshing album too; I will be quite surprised if some reviewer again says bluntly "Sister-album of nn". As Drinkandenjoy said the folk-tunes are not so audible as before, but I dont think that is a bad thing; especially when Korpiklaani releases so often new albums. It is great to sometimes have a more metal album which is seasoned with folk and not the other way around.
As said before there are hardly any song that dont catch me; usually there are as *much*
as 1-3. I apologize when I miss something or mix the songs, but I have to write these from memory which is not good. Also I apologize for not having the musical vocabilary so I cannot describe these any better atm. Anyway, after 3 complete listenings of the album here it goes. The quick-and-dirty review that I'll probably regret for doing:
1. Vodka. I've been praising this already. One of the best ever. Perfect song in the album, but can be hard to play in the gigs, as the volume levels has to be exactly balanced with Jonne and Cane to work as well as Happy Little Boozer. -So you may have to play that song still sometimes, sorry
2. Erämaan Ärjyt. I really love how this song begins! And continues. And the lyrics...
-This HAS to be Juha's text. Marvellous. I just cant keep myself from grinning insanely when listening this.
3. Isku Pitkästä Ilosta. A great one again in any band's album, but in this album it is overwhelmed by its neighbors. No, there really is no need to skip it, but still i'm waiting a bit for the next one or I'm exhausted from the last one if you know what I mean.
4. Mettänpeiton valtiaalle. Now this is so great song! Beautiful, touching, whatever. -A male Finn like me cannot say any more praises in that direction or... well... Maybe someone understands
. No, jokes aside; This song gives me the same kind of feelings as the IMO epic "Vesilahden Veräjillä". -Maybe my wife will now shout for this song in the gigs now on and not VV?
5. Juodaan Viinaa. Excellent Cover song. Must be included in every Party-pack!
6. Uniaika. This song took 2-3 times of listening before it opened to me; but now I love it. Quite different (maybe not-so-familiar composer to us?
. It is wrongly said that this is absolutely a needed song in this album (what it still is), *BUT* it is also a great song. One of those that will grow the more you listen it. Also Jonne's vocals are especially stunning here!
7. Kultanainen. This one is also quite different, but still great. Also needed a few times listening, but after that it has been playing in my head. I really need to see the lyrics here. This has a potential to become THE song of the album.
8. Bring us Pints of Beer. Hah! Once again a very cathcing song! Reminds me of something other band, but I cant figure it out yet. I have a good warm feeling when this song is playing. Chorus is so catching.
9. Huppiaan Aarre. After 8 songs of continuos astonishment I have some problems with this song. Maybe it needs even more time or maybe it is clouded with because I liked the previous ones so much? There are good parts in it already with this amount of listening, but also parts that does not sound good to me. Lets see again when I get the real album and could of more plays.
10. Vesaisten Sota. I'd feel that this is "normal" song. Great to listen, and like Track 3, it would be one of the top songs in any other band's album, but here the others are just too good that this would rise up.
11. Sulasilmä. A bit like previous one. After praising so much on the others, the bit more neutral attitude towrds these songs could sound like I would not like these, but that is incorrect. -Some others are just too good.
12. Kohmelo. After the magnificent ending song "Korven Kuningas" in the previous album, the expectations were so high with this. Too high. Ok. this is totally different. I do like the yoik and the "easy ending" but the main problem is that it doesnt sound Kohmelo (Hangover) to me. -I dont have so easy feelings when experiencing this sensation... -Well, maybe then it is correct as it feels incorrect?
But lets wait and see when I have the mood for this song; even Korven Kuningas needed a special moment.
Summa summarum: It is hard and fruitless to compare a great album with another great album, frankly it is irrelevant to me, but in case someone is expecting it I'd say that this could be the best Korpiklaani-album so far.