By David O’Neill
Since ‘War Is Over’ in 2018, the Finnish progsters have always been on my review list, whether as a live gig or an album. The latest offering continues on the environmental pathway outlined in ‘Red Alert In The Blue Forest’. Press releases from the band have outlined why they chose the title based on the incredible patterns in the murmurations of starlings and how they are in continuous synchrony in doing so despite there often being very large numbers in the flocks.
Opening up with the rapidfire ‘In Relapse’, you can hear the swinging to and fro across the musical instrumental skyscape akin to starlings movements, a great breathless start to the ten track album. The keyboard intro to ‘A Good Life’ quickly gives way to Mikko’s unique vocal style in the verses. Once again the brothers come up with a lyrical challenge to the powers that be and status quo.
Staccato gunfire drumming and keyboards open up the almost souk-like rhythm to the single ‘Starlings’, which again swings, swoops and leaps across the musical soundscape accompanied by Mikkos’ vocals. There was a chance to get the hit of the summer with ‘Ascension Day’, a real feelgood end of winter/start of summer vibe. It’s a real upbeat smile raising song and could well end up being a singalong track in the live set, especially if people see the video that accompanies it.
‘Beneath The Silver Stars’ is another reflective piece of lyric writing that opens with a string piece that reminds me of The Verve’s ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ and maybe that is why I really like the track, for its inclusion of orchestral components as it swoops and soars to its crescendo. ‘Tightrope Walker is sung by Kie and reflects his previous vocal performances with what appears to be a tongue in cheek catchy upbeat track.
‘The Change’ starts off with a solo guitar before the huge opening verse the lyrics appear to be criticizing someone who negatively influenced events until the person being manipulated wakes up. There is another huge saxophone solo in the track. ‘Separation’ is a short track over a piano that has a very autumnal and painful emotive feel to it.
If you’re going to go into autumn for a season then a track called ‘Snowstorm’ just has to follow it. Opening with a solid drum beat over piano and distorted guitar which gets louder as the backing vocals come in prior to the opening verse describing a snowscene in which the protagonist is lost in. The vocals and music increase in pitch until Mikko’s vocals dominate the song prior to the breakdown into the crescendo. Its another VHB track that raises the description and emotions as all good music should.
The final track, ‘Wait For Me’ continues the emotional expression of the band who appear to be on a reflective pathway as their age increases (it comes to us all) and important people leave their lives. A simple piano section opens into a clean acoustic guitar section and the increasing use of violin and cello. It is another superbly composed track that tugs at your heartstrings similarly to All of a sudden you’re gone from the last album.
Once again the brothers have compiled another album of excellent tunes that reflect the highs and lows of the reality of life. Superb.
- ‘In Murmuration‘ was released today (Friday 25 October).
The Von Hertzen Brothers will appearing at WinterStorm in Troon on Thursday 28 November and Planet Rockstock on Saturday 30 November. They also will headine the Buckley Tivoli on Friday 29 November and The Garage in Camden on Monday 2 December.
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