Search - Varttina :: Ilmatar

Ilmatar
Varttina
Ilmatar
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

Continuing the artistic revival they experienced with Vihma, Finland's Värttinä add plenty of space and new textures to their musical mix with Ilmatar. Unlike the constant, breakneck-speed music and singing that ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Varttina
Title: Ilmatar
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Bmg Japan
Release Date: 5/24/2000
Album Type: Import
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop
Styles: Europe, Scandinavia
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Continuing the artistic revival they experienced with Vihma, Finland's Värttinä add plenty of space and new textures to their musical mix with Ilmatar. Unlike the constant, breakneck-speed music and singing that had been their trademark, there are plenty of slower songs here, and a great deal of room to breathe, thanks to producer Hughes de Courson (Malicorne, Manu Dibango). The voices still have the wild, sometimes shrill harmonies, but with more room to maneuver, and it's easier to hear the often delicate interplay between them. While Värttinä might play fewer notes, they make powerful musical statements that are sometimes sinister, sometimes gorgeous in this album-length tale of the Finnish sun goddess, which completes the mythological trilogy they began with Kokko. Värttinä are deservedly the brand name in Finnish folk-rock. --Chris Nickson

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CD Reviews

Powerful and primal!
Brianna Neal | USA | 12/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"For this album, the Finnish group Varttina delves deep into the darker side of their culture and mythology, producing music that is haunting, startling, redolent with mood and reminiscent of ancient shamanic epics. The focus here is on the stark, dissonant harmonies of the four female singers--Susan Aho, Mari Kaasinen, Kirsi Kahkonen and Riikka Vayrynen. There is less of an emphasis on modern electronic backups than in the group's previous releases, and when present, the tone of the accompaniments is more primal than pop. All in all, "Ilmatar" is striking and compelling, a truly exciting musical statement by an already remarkable group. If you enjoy the music of "Ilmatar", try also the album "Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares" by the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir, which features a similar vocal sound and some equally unique and interesting compositions. You may also like the many other recordings of neo-traditional Nordic music released, like "Ilmatar", by the NorthSide label."
Driving and unremitting and glorious enjoyment
Jim Allan | Toronto, ON Canada | 03/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recreates the sounds of their earlier CD's, but somehow one or two steps higher.Every track amazes: driving and changing rhythms and harmonies, lyrical changes of melodies and sudden insertions of new melodies, background accompaniment often of a perfect minimalist sort, but sometimes rising as a counter voice.The furry clarity of the sounds of the Finnish language come across with perfection, and you don't have to know a word of Finnish to appreciate the music of the plays on alliteration and assoance and the speech rhythms that often deligthfully strain against and break through the apparent constraints of the melody.Instruments punctuate to perfection in delightful superfluity, because with the full sound and wonderous harmonies of the lead singers one can imagine all tracks being sung unaccompanied with as much gain as loss.These people are having so much energetic FUN with what they are doing: making the technical perfection seem easy, a given to be built on."
Great CD that doesn't get old
Jim Allan | 06/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first learned of Värttinä when I them perform Äijö on World Music TV late one night. Being the Finnish afficianado that I am, I immediately looked them up and ordered this CD. I was really thrilled with it. There's so much variety and enthusiasm put into the music. My favorite song is still Äijö, I just love the intensity of their live performance, which is on the enhanced CD. This is a really great find if you are interested in other cultures. Even if you aren't, your friends will be impressed by your worldliness if they see a CD like this in your collection."