Customer Reviews

Ilmatar

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Sometimes, the best musical discoveries are made almost by accident. After hearing another Finnish group (Troka) perform on A Prarie Home Companion, I went in search of more information on the Web and came across an item about Värttinä performing at Rock In Rio--and bringing down the house. A brief sample or two later, and I bought the CD--now I'm hooked. Värttinä specializes in taking traditional Finnish folk songs and interpreting them in modern arrangements. Yes, it's all sung in Finnish (English translations are provided), but you don't need to know the language to appreciate the tight harmonies of the four women who front this band, and the supreme musicianship of the all-male ensemble which backs them. (Who knew that accordions, fiddles, kanteles--a Finnish harp--and other traditional instruments could sound so modern?) At the heart of Värttinä is a paradox; joyful, life-affirming, get-up-and-dance music (especially on "Laiska" and "Linnunmielli") juxtaposed with lyrics that range from melancholy ("Itkin," "Liiqua") to disturbing ("Kappee," "Aijo"). Some will hear simillarities to the Bulgarian Women's Choir in this music, especially on the acapella "Kappee," but as far as I'm concerned, there is nothing quite like Värttinä. I look forward to hearing more from them, and learning more about Scandanavian music as a whole. If you are looking for something completely different, give Ilmatar a listen--you won't be disappointed.

For this album, the Finnish group Varttina delves deep into the darker side of their culture and mythology, producing music that is haunting, startling, redolent with mood and reminiscent of ancient shamanic epics. The focus here is on the stark, dissonant harmonies of the four female singers--Susan Aho, Mari Kaasinen, Kirsi Kahkonen and Riikka Vayrynen. There is less of an emphasis on modern electronic backups than in the group's previous releases, and when present, the tone of the accompaniments is more primal than pop. All in all, "Ilmatar" is striking and compelling, a truly exciting musical statement by an already remarkable group. If you enjoy the music of "Ilmatar", try also the album "Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares" by the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir, which features a similar vocal sound and some equally unique and interesting compositions. You may also like the many other recordings of neo-traditional Nordic music released, like "Ilmatar", by the NorthSide label.

This recreates the sounds of their earlier CD's, but somehow one or two steps higher.

Every track amazes: driving and changing rhythms and harmonies, lyrical changes of melodies and sudden insertions of new melodies, background accompaniment often of a perfect minimalist sort, but sometimes rising as a counter voice.

The furry clarity of the sounds of the Finnish language come across with perfection, and you don't have to know a word of Finnish to appreciate the music of the plays on alliteration and assoance and the speech rhythms that often deligthfully strain against and break through the apparent constraints of the melody.

Instruments punctuate to perfection in delightful superfluity, because with the full sound and wonderous harmonies of the lead singers one can imagine all tracks being sung unaccompanied with as much gain as loss.

These people are having so much energetic FUN with what they are doing: making the technical perfection seem easy, a given to be built on.

I first learned of Värttinä when I them perform Äijö on World Music TV late one night. Being the Finnish afficianado that I am, I immediately looked them up and ordered this CD. I was really thrilled with it. There's so much variety and enthusiasm put into the music. My favorite song is still Äijö, I just love the intensity of their live performance, which is on the enhanced CD. This is a really great find if you are interested in other cultures. Even if you aren't, your friends will be impressed by your worldliness if they see a CD like this in your collection.

US listeners first heard Varttina widely in 1990, this CD heralds a maturation in their vision to our (listener's) great benefit. A tremendous release featuring the ancient Runic songs paired with a dazzling and dizzying almost pagan musical accompaniment. The combination of dark lyricism with absolutely stunning musicianship make this a release to be reckoned with. The consolidation of the music business on the heels of "Ilmatar's" release did not bode well initially for non European ears hearing it but Stateside listeners will be able to more easily get this release on Northside at the beginning of 2001.

The sound of Varttina you could hear on the first albums is back. After two albums which were on the road to scandinavian pop (not bad at all), this "Iltamar" is going the way back....for the best. Modern sounds are not forgotten but they are not anymore the sounds which do make the essence of the songs. There are on this last album purely fantastic songs with fantastic voices : "Liigua" "Aijo" and "Meri" are absolute jewels. Hearing and hearing them again makes you discover everytime something new in them.

I don't remember where I first heard the phrase "a sonic experience" used to describe Ilmatar, but I have just acquired this magnificent disc and I can honestly say that it is an apt descriptor. The songs are some of the best I think Varttina has ever done! A definite winner!

For this album, the Finnish group Varttina delves deep into the darker side of their culture and mythology, producing music that is haunting, startling, redolent with mood and reminiscent of ancient shamanic epics. The focus here is on the stark, dissonant harmonies of the four female singers--Susan Aho, Mari Kaasinen, Kirsi Kahkonen and Riikka Vayrynen. There is less of an emphasis on modern electronic backups than in the group's previous releases, and when present, the tone of the accompaniments is more primal than pop. All in all, "Ilmatar" is striking and compelling, a truly exciting musical statement by an already remarkable group. If you enjoy the music of "Ilmatar", try also the album "Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares" by the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir, which features a similar vocal sound and some equally unique and interesting compositions. You may also like the many other recordings of neo-traditional Nordic music released, like "Ilmatar", by the NorthSide label.

This is that sound everyone was wondering about from Lordof the Rings. Deep and ancient songs that harken us back to our past.
EXCELLENT