This CD features lots of the names you have already know and love – Paavoharju, Islaja, Keilalliset Ystavat, Sogun Kunitoki, Es, Kiila, Riso and Tu-Resistori. For the most part there are two or three tracks per band, most of the tracks have been previously released, making this a better introduction for those unfamiliar with the Finnish scene than a must-have for those already in the know. There are a few unreleased tracks scattered here and there, though.
Islaja shines as always with haunting vocals and her unique clawhammer guitar style, while Shogun Kunitoki turn in an organ-driven song that reminds me a bit of DJ Shadow’s “organ donor” minus the hip-hop beats. Es’ organic glitch music is particularly moody, then Kiila turns in a track of very beautiful and heavy pagan-forest-folk. The albums hardest when Risto are at the helm, turning in relatively straight-up garage rock – sung in Finnish of course. This doesn’t fit that well on the CD and disrupts the mood quite a bit, but it does set the listener up for the lo-fi synth-pop of TV-Resistori which is also a departure from the more ambient, organic and experimental sounds of the earlier bands on the album.
Summer And Smiles Of Finland is, all in all, a fascinating introduction to the vital Finnish underground music scene. Unfortunately you may have a hell of a time getting your hands on a copy – it looks like it’s just a promotional tool only. If you are able to score a copy it is very recommended for fans of psyche-folk and experimental music. Photos of all the beautiful Finnish hipsters – yeah, ok, so I have a crush on Islaja – will make you wish you lived there too. If you find this stuff compelling you’ll be thrilled to learn that there’s a ton of cool stuff that has been coming out of Finland – just check out the Aquarius Records website for gushing reviews of all the latest releases they have available.
