22-Pistepirkko
Drops & kicks
Bone Voyage
Originally from Utajärvi and now based in Helsinki, Finland, 22-Pistepirkko (22-spotted ladybug) has been around for almost a quarter of a century. Far from sounding like a record made by some old guys just going through the motions, "Drops & kicks" shows off an adventurous spirit captured ably by producer Kalle Gustafsson (best known as the bassist for The Soundtrack of Our Lives). Shifting with ease from epics with big choruses (opener "Mr. Twister") to sleepy acoustic ballads ("X-(wo)men") to fuzzed-out garage stomps ("Space riding"), the Finns continue with the eclecticism that's been a career hallmark. Asko Keränen and Espe Haverinen provide a suitable instrumental backdrop for the quirky, high-pitched vocals of P.K. Keränen. Sounding unique most of the time, Keränen does bring to mind Supergrass vocalist Gaz Coombes on the rave-up "Not so good at school". "Rat king" wouldn't be out of place on a Sparklehorse record, with its crunchy guitars and animal imagery. And don't miss the Suede-esque "Soul free" and the tempo-shifting "Sister May", with TSOOL's Ebbot Lundberg on backing vocals.
- Matthew W. Smith