Vihma

Varttina | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000009NUW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,599 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #50 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > General

Editorial Reviews

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Varttina yet, December 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vihma (Audio CD)

My favorite CD from Varttina to date was Seleniko. Some of the tracks on that are just amazing, but there are a few that I always skip. I passed on some of the more recent CD's because I thought they were too pop-y. Vihma, however, if full of great tracks. When I listen to it, I listen to the whole CD. The more traditional character of Seleniko is back, but with beats and rhythms that also give it a modern feel. A must for Varttina fans!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite CD for over six months now!!!, April 14, 1999

By 

Mark Allen Davis (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vihma (Audio CD)

Don't listen to the Amazon reviewer; this is easily Varttina's best CD to date, and the modern touches are just a continuation of the progression begun in Kokko (and similar to the things that Hedningarna and Garmarna are doing). But don't take my word for it; this CD entered the European World Music Radio Charts at Number One back in November, reached Number One in the CMJ New World radio charts in the US, was voted one of the best three albums of 1998 in the Rock/Pop category of Adlib magazine in Japan and "Best World Music Album of 1998" by Music Magazine of Japan. The CD includes some fine singing from the Tuvan throat singers of the band Yat-Kha (on three tracks), and some of the tightest and most exciting music yet from this group. If you liked Kokko, you will like this! It's a firecracker of an albumn!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sound of Life, November 18, 2000

By 

Erika "what_larks" (Columbus, OH, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vihma (Audio CD)

Värttinä has created a complex albumn weaving many styles, traditions and cultures into a beautiful tapestry of emotions. The rhythms move your feet as well as your soul and the lyrics are refreshing and often quite witty. The throat singing that is featured in three of the tracks brings a surreal effect to CD that is echoed in many of the arrangements. Värttinä still utilizes many of the stylistic techniques found in their earlier CDs but still finds a fresh interpretation and energy to buoy Vihma to new heights.