Rasmus formed
way back in 1996, and have had five albums prior to "Dead
Letters" as well as already enjoying a stream of successes
in their native Finland, from number ones to Finnish grammy
awards.
Lead singer Lauri
says his lyrics are always personal and that every word
has a meaning. Latest
album, and debut to the UK, "Dead Letters" is no
acception, with each song resembling a potential letter to
someone. This could be an apology, a confession, a proclamation
of affection, or a cry for help. No emotion is left untouched,
and you cannot fault him for expression of feelings, perhaps
this is what comes from bleak landscapes and winters that
seem like a lifetime. His innovative approach creates no
surprise that he is one of the most appreciated composers
in Finland today. The band behind Lauri is Pauli on
Guitars, Aki on drums, and Eero on bass, not to be outdone,
they all contribute
to the feel of the album, and their powerful, personality
fuelled sounds cannot be faulted. Right from the opener "First
Day of My Life, "an instantly distinct track, it is
unmistakable that the whole album shows a band collected,
which can only be expected of members who have been playing
together since the tender age of sixteen, and who were friends
prior to this.
The Rasmus attempt, and succeed with
every idea going, "In
my life" is a powerful and pounding tune, and the band
also uses melancholy well, still managing to get some personal
anger out in the process, as heard on "Time to burn."
"Tell me why do I feel this
way, all my life I been standing on the borderline."
"Not Like the Other Girls" even
brings a poetic element into the picture. If any track
stands out, it is
none more than this one, it's melodic sounds, and classic
guitar solo to rival the old classics, intensely creates
a feeling not dissimilar to having just seen the gig of a
lifetime.
"
Funeral Song" is more of a brooding and dark ballad,
but not hard hitting doom and gloom as the title suggests.
A track which brings to mind the image of swaying lighters,
and mobile phones held in the air, complete with vocals and
strings to bowl you over. Past European hit "FFF Falling," creates
a stir, with its story of a downward spiral in life.
However "If You Ever" and "Whatever" is
a crash down to earth with a bang, hardly leaving you on
the high note of previous tracks. Not that the songs are
not well-crafted, they resemble a case of who put that there?
The closing track could have favoured a more stand out track
to finish.
The Rasmus debut single "In My Shadows" is
out now, and the bands are about to embark upon a UK tour,
for
more information check out www.therasmus.com
Katherine Tomlinson
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