Customer Reviews

Vihma

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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".

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".

Vihma is an outstanding album. Some tracks are so beautiful they make me happy to be alive. This is what music should be about. This album is a celebration of beauty... and inner energy--you can dance to it.

...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!

...or at least that's what the latest release by Värttinä sounds like. Hot industrial dance rhythms mix with the finest in Karelian chant-singing to make an eminently playable album.

The best thing about this album is the Finnish lyrics. Finnish, a Finno-Uralic language (i.e., related only to Hungarian and Estonian and totally alien from all other European languages), sounds vaguely Eastern as sung by the talented vocalists of Värttinä. Indeed, this album sounds more Uralic than Finnic, what with the Mongolian throat-singers thrown in for good measure.

If you like world music, buy this album. You will not be disappointed.