BIO
How come some artists seem to find new life and innovative ways in
their work album after another? Take Nick Cave for example, embracing
his rock'’n ’roll animal with his Grinderman after years of haunting
piano ballads. Take Tom Waits, in his musical...
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BIO
How come some artists seem to find new life and innovative ways in
their work album after another? Take Nick Cave for example, embracing
his rock'’n ’roll animal with his Grinderman after years of haunting
piano ballads. Take Tom Waits, in his musical exploration deeper and
deeper to the mystic world of losers, low-life characters, rhythms and
sounds. Or Finland’s Ismo Alanko with his new band, a duo, Ismo Alanko
& Teho. Their debut album Blanco Spirituals stands as a proof of
its own.
The synergy of Alanko and the percussion instrument
wizard Samuli ”Teho” Majamäki is not just evident on stage but also on
the album. Blanco Spirituals seems to be all about contentual
excellence. Their co-operation in Alanko’s earlier project Ismo Alanko
Säätiö shows as confidence that makes the duo sound much bigger than
they physically are. These two gentlemen are likely to be stronger than
many bands greater in the number of members.
Alanko
has a remarkably individual touch in composing: what makes the tracks
on Blanco Spirituals sound new and unpredictable is the minimalism in
how they are presented. The most delightful thing about this album is
indeed the vast variety of styles that incredibly stems from no more
than two people; a ruminative piece is followed by a fast-paced track,
a beautiful weather is accompanied by a storm. These emotional scales
frame occasionally even couplet-like lyrics that speak to the listener
both in many ways.
Playing vibraphone, other
mallet-instruments and the most explosive parts of the drum kit, Teho
could easily eat whitestripes for breakfast. While this man plays,
reservations and doubts do not exist. And Ismo Alanko, although nearly
50 years old, still seems to draw from some mystic, scintillating
power. Together they form a band that one without a question wants to
listen more to, now and in the future.
Having been a
notable factor in the Finnish rock music scene since 1980, Ismo Alanko
is no less than a living legend in his home country. Alanko has managed
to sound fresh on all his albums without compromising his own personal
style which makes him one of the most respected artists in Finland
today.
MEMBERS
Ismo Alanko - vocals, guitar
Teho Majamäki - percussions
Domestic
