Fri 26 Dec – Jouluräyhä
After the holidays, nothing like a gig to spice life up following this dull, cheesy and ever-so-repetitive season that we're still in. One of the cheapest ticket prices I ever experienced in Finland allied to a quite popular rock band playing at (what I still personally consider) the best venue in Finland didn't convince as many people as I'd expect though. They named this event "Periteinen jouluräyhä" but not even the rather original name bought it's way into people's pockets. Whatever! Seriously their loss, since a very entertaining night took place.
Before the first band went on stage, the usual procedure with doors opening on time followed by an hour of drinking and socializing. But it could have just been two instead, really...
I'm writing this because the first band,
Wiidakko, despite trying hard didn't convince most people. Again another virtually unknown band opening for a bigger name. I can understand why a band such as these guys from Lahti were picked because despite being light-years away from
Maj Karma's league, the sort of music they performed (I'd say some quite soft kind of rock) fit into the overall musical package that was to be experienced that night. Personally it was quite a bore for me, this band seems to have more eye to dressing sense than ear to musical quality. Okay, I won't be saying they're the worst band I've ever seen live since that wouldn't be the most honest thing to say, but while their intrsumental part was acceptable, the vocal part ruined whatever they were playing. The vocalist seemed to me like someone casted out of Idols and placed into a rock band to do nothing more than waste people's time. Again, I'm not saying the vocalist hasn't vocal skills, it just didn't seem to fit into the music and definitly wasn't my cup of tea either at all.
Once their set was over, time for some real music at last! I'll be honest as it is my ever lasting tradition, I didn't expect Maj Karma to impress me as much as they did. I've known them for some years now, mostly the stuff released from albums such as the ones released under their actual name, not really the ones from the times they had a longer name. Gladly their gig consisted mostly of songs from indeed their last couple of albums (and by the way, if anyone for a change dares to comment my reviews, why has it been two years now, soon three, withouth another originals album being released? My guess is because vocalist, Herra Ylppö, has rather focused on his other project,
Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset?
They opened their set with the first track out of Ukkonen, Sid ja Nancy. By then the venue had a fairly considerable ammount of human mass. I obviously don't recall the setlist by order and if some songs I will list were actually played or if it's just me, but until I know better this is what will stand. Highlight songs played yesterday (this review has been written on the day after the gig as always, but I've been too lazy/sore to pass them straight away to the computer) were definitly Ukkonen (much better live and it's one of those songs that seems made to never get worn off with time), the bombastic and ultimate crowd hit Attentaatti, "the first energetic and later simply beautifully melodic" Rukous (don't have words to describe the bass line on this song...), the unique Kyynel and the beyond obvious sad, sorrowful yet undeniably wonderful "ballads" Sondakylä and Kokki, Varas, Vaimo ja Rakastaja. Other songs that I'm rather sure they played were: from the pre-Sodankylä material: Romanssi, Ovisilmä and Buster Keaton; from Sodankylä: (the only I'm rather sure about) Pohjola and from Ukkonen: Rocktähti Sekoaa. About the band's attitude: I think the folks were on great shape and played their alternative rock seriously bordering on metal (don't care if you happen to disagree) very professionaly and well delivered. And I do mean all, from the tireless J. Savolainen, the bouncy and very energetic K. Kurittu, the more quiet and "close faced" yet with lots of attitude Häiriö to the singular, restless, loud mouthed and sometimes very theatrical (in a good way) Herra Ylppö. Seriously he his someone who gives right away the impression that being the frontman in a band is the most natural thing he was born to do. Charismatic, yet also introverted and how to put this down...he is someone who interiorizes his songs very well and delivers them to the crowd in an equal fashion. You can really tell the guy sings from the heart.
But back to the gig in itself, it was one of those were time seemed to pass too fast for one's taste. They closed in big, with the also highlight-song Luovuttanut Enkeli. But you just don't do that to people, closing with a song that tells straight up to your face that you'll be begging for more surely! Right after the band thanked the crowd and did the usual goodbye thing,
Frank Sinatra's legendary "Singing in the rain" could be enjoyed loud and clear around the venue. I find it quite ironic though that such song was played and that coincidentially the sun decided to shine exactly the day after the gig took place for the first time this month in Helsinki. These sort of things really leave me to wonder...
Hopefully will be seeing Maj Karma in the near future again, it's one of those restrict bands that can't just be seen once in a lifetime. After the gig was over, I finally for once still had the enough ammount of money to "attack" a merchandise point. And so I did. I was looking mostly to buy their "Sodankylä" album but their merch people are not carrying CD's with them, unfortunetly. I still tried a cool hoodie with the band's logo but clothes weren't really what I was looking for so I passsed on that.
All in all, I really had a musical blast with Maj Karma yesterday and recommend it to all other people - even if you just happen to like a song or two from them - you'll find yourself liking a whole lot more after experiencing this skilled and entertaining band live. Below you can find some pictures (I know, it doesn't get any better...) I've taken. I also was supposed to link a couple of videos I've shot, but I've had a hard time uploading them on this crappy laptop I'm using now, so I suppose they won't be up around so soon...I'll make notice that this entry has been updated with such videos in the future still, whenever that happens.
Pics:
Wiidakko in the dark.
One of Wiidakko's guitarists.
K. Kurittu having a blast.
J. Savolainen behind the drum kit.
Herra Ylppö was particulary mental that night
Side-profile shot of Herra Ylppö
Maj Karma on action.
Herra Ylppö does sing from the heart.
Perhaps the best shot I could get from Häiriö that evening.
More Herra Ylppö.
Bass and lights.
A vocal moment.
The show was then over.
Maj Karma
