I’ve been mostly exhausted for a month, because the day job has been a bit of a nightmare. Therefore I haven’t even selected a new album of the month until now. But of course I knew it all along that it was going to be this debut album Ei ole helppoo by Gim Kordon. Heck, this thing pretty much kept my body running and mind somewhat sane during those 10-12 hour shifts. This isn’t entirely flawless, but damn it feels good to listen to this. In some way, I come from the same place as this album. This is influenced by the same music that reshaped my heart back in the 90s and early 00s. A bit of US indie, a bit of Australian indie and a whole lot of Finnish obviously. This is my youth squeezed into a box. Despite all this, it doesn’t feel like this is something old and borrowed. I do find Ei ole helppoo unique and original 2014 album. And damn how I love listening to it. The early singles Ei ole helppoo and Sä oot mun unelma, beibe still sound perfect to me. Other big favourites are the candy machine -flavoured Kaikki on hyvin and Sateessa which has my favourite chorus of the year. I can pinpoint that exact moment in my life.

Ei ole helppoo by Gim Kordon is a wonderful album. It was released by Soliti Music on 9th of may, 2014. You’ll find a few samples below. First Sä oot mun unelma, beibe and then the video of the title track Ei ole helppoo.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqx23QaUDbA]

Gim Kordon at Facebook

You might have noticed that there has been new Album of the Month on that sidebar for a week or so. I changed that photo when this beautiful album came out. Either life has been busy or I’ve been lazy, because it took me this long to write a couple words about it. Not that couple words is even enough. One should write an essay or a novel about the brilliance of this band and their new album. Ochre Room has been a big favourite mine since I saw them play at FOTM for the first time. I have to be grateful that I’m not really writing reviews these days. I would be running out of scale, because the debut was already magnificent and this thing is just getting better all the time.

In case you need a short introduction. Ochre Room is a Finnish americana / folk rock band from Tampere. Their second album Box, Bar & Diamond came out on Lumpeela julkaisut in the beginning of April, 2014. Central Europe and UK release will follow in May. Their beautifully arranged americana is pizza to my ears and I really love the way Lauri and Minttu sing together. These magnificent male-female harmonies are definitely a big part of their charm. Minttu also sings some lead vocals on the new album and does it exceptionally well. Box, Bar & Diamond is a wonderful album and I’m thrilled that it seems to be getting the attention it fully deserves. This is the opener of this gorgeous album, Other Side Of The Town.

Ochre Room – Other Side of the Town from Monadi-Filmi on Vimeo.

Ochre Room Website

There might not be much blog action in January, but at least I’m going to quickly select the Album of the Month before the month is over. After the extremely busy Christmas period at the factory and writing the end-of-the-year lists for this blog, I’m mostly just taking it easy for the time being. Goal for January is to just rest, watch Finnish hockey (JYP) and NFL playoffs, read books and listen to good music. And not really worry about updating the blog or anything like that. I try to get back to full force starting February 1st and make this 13th year of onechord.net the best one so far.

I admit that this is an awfully bad month to take a break from the blog. It’s mid-January and already four pretty amazing Finnish albums have been released. Koria Kitten Riot, The Wonderminers, Laura Moisio and Delay Trees have kickstarted this year in perfect fashion. I’m very much into all of them and anyone of them could well be the album of the month. That spot still goes to the album that I’ve listened to the most. Koria Kitten Riot is just getting better all the time and have released their finest album. I’ve also read a few reviews that have been a bit lukewarm, but I’m very much into Rich Men Poor Men Good Men and it has been a constant companion for the past month. Maybe I’m not entirely comfortable with some minor things on the arrangement side of a song or two, but these are really small things and a matter of personal preference. Nothing that could even remotely spoil the magic of this beautiful pop album. This is just the kind of music I love. I suppose it might seem just pleasant at first, but there’s enough details both on the lyrics and in the arrangements to draw your attention and keep you hooked for weeks.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-ExY-OinM]

Koria Kitten Riot Website