Instantaneous
communication doesn’t necessarily guarantee that knowledge about something
comes the moment it reaches the world. The Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi album
was released last August in Finland. I encountered it in February as a result
of it being one of the 12 finalists in 2013’s Nordic Music Prize. It didn't
win. First Aid Kit did.
Alongside
fellow Finnish finalist Pää kii – whose album is terrific non-clichéd and
contemporary melodic punk – it was an unknown quantity. Hearing a snatch of one
Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi track was enough to make it instantly necessary to
find it what it was.
Kerkko
Koskinen Kollektiivi is an odd album, not like or part of anything else going
on right now. Springing off from show tunes, schlager, jazz, spy soundtracks
and the drama of Russian pop, it’s out there on its own. It’s also brilliant.
As it’s all
in Finnish, working out what’s being sung about is difficult. But that doesn’t
really matter as it’s all so impactful and atmospheric. A clue to that
atmosphere comes from the song Laura Palmer, a nod to Twin Peaks and David
Lynch. Overall, the mood is dark, suggestive of sinister goings on. It could
soundtrack someone spiralling towards their downfall.
Musically,
the orchestration, prominent piano and rich brass add to the spectacle. Vocals
are forward and declamatory. All this would be striking enough, but the sense
of melody makes it linger even more. It must have touched a chord in Finland as
it topped the album charts. Yet Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi didn’t win the
Nordic Music Prize and was probably never going to. Good on Finland for
choosing and putting forward such a magnificent and truly left-field record.
Kerkko
Koskinen is resolutely a local flavour. He was a mover in Ultra Bra, has also
written film soundtracks and a Eurovision entry. For his Kollektiivi he
assembled the female trio Manna, Paula Vesala (of PMMP) and Vuokko Hovatta (who
was in Ultra Bra too). Like Koskinen,
all are known quantities and successful in Finland, making the Kollektiivi a
sort of super group. All, to one degree or another, have acted and/or been involved
in film.
It’d be sad
if Kerkko Koskinen Kollektiivi remained for Finland only. This is a wonderful,
joyous album and – as happened in February – once heard, demands instant
investigation.
Also only on Kieron Tyler worlds of music:
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- Fonal Records / Shogun Kunitoki
- Helmi Levyt - Finland’s Voice Of Love And Madness
- Hubro Records – A Welcome To Norway’s Bold: Interview With Andreas Meland
- Frida Hyvönen - To The Soul, And What Came Before
- Imandra Lake: Seesamseesam
- Joensuu 1685 And Brad Laner On Splendour Records
- Mari Kalkun
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- Papir - III: Interview With Denmark’s Non-Hierarchical Instrumentalists
- Röövel Ööbik: Young Godz Have Fun
- Seksound – Estonia’s Enigmatic Label And Tartu Popi Ja Roki Instituut
- Jessica Sligter – Interview: From Fear And The Framing To The Ultimate Embodiment Of Human Communication
- Susanne Sundfør: A Night At Salle Pleyel
- Susanne Sundfør: Spot Festival 2010 And The Brothel
- Susanne Sundfør: The Silicone Veil