Here's an update on some new releases coming out next year from Finland's Verdura Records:
Mohel 7"
Almost finished, some mastering to be done. Should be out early 2005. Free improv jazz mayhem.
Sergio - Swords CD
Two promising EPs (both on Trash Can) and superb concerts have made Sergio a household name among the small circle of domestic indie music followers and certainly some high hopes have been put on their debut full lenght. And oh dear, oh dear, how gladly we can assure that this is as good as you might expect. Hailing since 1996, the band hasn't exactly rushed with recording an album, and it shows. "Swords" is very much a complete work. And even though there are those understandable comparisons to bands like Interpol or Fugazi, the fellows definitely have a distinguishable delivery of their own, such a strong mixture of wistful melodies and intense, ferocious playing is a rare gem.
Kirlian Crossing - s/t CD
Top quality -and heck, even catchy!- avant pop by Ilai Rämä (Siniaalto/Echo Is Your Love) and Teemu Sinkko. Beautiful and sensitive compositions with intriguingly unusual and obscure arrangements, like your traditional pop outlook messed up really bad, in a kind way though. Jaw dropping.