Another perfect example of just how diverse the Svart Records roster is would be this latest release from Finnish singer/songwriter/musician Mikko Joensuu, titled Amen 3. The third part of a trilogy, Amen 3 chirps, blips, bubbles, and bleeps with all the futuristic & electronic majesty of vintage Tangerine Dream or Mike Oldfield, the sequencers, synths, and loops undulating and floating over programmed drums and Joensuu's dreamy pop vocal passages. Containing just six tracks, most of them of epic proportions, Amen 3 will take some patience on the part of the listener, especially the 19-minute "The Worst in Me", a somber, depressing journey into bleak space that probably could have been trimmed by half its length for maximum effectiveness. "House of Fire" however contains plenty of groove and neat Tangerine Dream/Hawkwind styled synths & loops, and "Perfect Patterns" has a haunting, ethereal quality that is quite intriguing. Vocally, Joensuu might be a hit or miss for some, as his somber, slightly whiny tone can get grating at times, especially on the gloomy "Dream About a Miracle", but he fares better on the more pastoral closer "Pearly Gates" alongside some lush acoustic guitar and dreamy synth washes.
While Amen 3 won't be for everyone, there are certainly some good moments here, especially when Joensuu goes into the space rock or folky prog vein. Some of the tracks are also longer than they need to be, but overall this is an interesting album with plenty to recommend.
Track Listing
01-Birth
02-House Of Fire
03-The Worst In Me
04-Perfect Patterns
05-Dream About A Miracle
06-Pearly Gates
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