Yesterday also brought us a great Finnish album. Sound of Finland released the new Suomen Zorro album Muistan sinut Maria. This is a big deal for me, because I hold Suomen Zorro and their songwriter Petri Vähäsarja in very high regard. Muistan sinut Maria is a success and further proof of their talent. I was a little bit worried that the label might try to turn them into something far more common, far more radio friendly and far more boring. Thankfully this doesn’t seem to be the case (at least not to an extent that it would be any kind of an issue) and the world of Suomen Zorro is still a little bit weird and blissfully twisted albeit often delivered in beautiful harmony. Even though the album title gave it away, I was pleased to find out that the album also contains a big old favourite song Kuusi syliä. Still love that song and it’s good to have that song officially available.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1XPQNLC8A]

Suomen Zorro at Facebook

I never really got totally into Joensuu 1685. My loss I would assume, because a lot of folks whose taste I trust really loved them. I probably figure it all out in a few years and start shouting their name from the rooftops decade too late. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Moving on to 2016 and it’s time for Mikko Joensuu’s solo debut and first part of his Amen trilogy. Amen 1 is a magnificent album and now I’m definitely on board. The serene, fragile and hymnal beauty of this is remarkable. The title Amen 1 and songs revolving around spiritual issues might scare someone away, but you don’t really have to be a religious type to get lost in the everlasting wistful beauty of the songs. Gods like Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt have been namedropped on several reviews, but besides the North American folk tradition, there’s also something very Finnish in here as well. There’s a song or two that remind me of Topi Saha and I can easily hear him covering them in my head. In all fairness, I have no words to describe this. The first version just had the word “speechless” and song samples in it. I should have stuck with that. Amen 1 is a wonderful album and I’m so eager to hear where Amen 2 and Amen 3 will take me.

Mikko Joensuu Website

And continuing the subject with one of my favourite songs of the year.

Caleb McCoach – Love Yr Neighbor