I love to drink. I am not an alcoholic (or am I?) but I do enjoy a tasty beverage now and then. There’s never a bad time for good friends and a good game of the drink. So, naturally I should love a band like Korpiklaani with their anthems of inebriation, however this band requires a love or hate relationship with the listener. It’s a sound that is an acquired taste and though I can’t really get into this bands music, the message of fun and good spirits is clear.
Korpiklaani have been around for sometime now and they do what they love. Play the jig (metal style) and drink until you can’t see straight. Taking the same path as humpa deathstars Finntroll and folk speeders Obtest, Korpiklaani are a reliable entity sure to put a smile on your face at some point through their discography. Karkelo (or party) is another fine example of what obviously would make for a killer live show, just not sure if I can drive around and listen to this days on end.
Opener “Vodka” is pretty fun stuff though. I can imagine myself having a few and dancing the jig to this bad boy. Lyrically, the chants of “VODKA!” and the catchy chorus of hangovers and glassy eyes will seem cheesy yet make everything seem OK at the same time. Along with “Bring Us Pints of Beer” these are the only two English lyric songs on the album. For the rest of the album you’ll have to brush up on your Finnish.
Most of the faster songs sound the same but Korpiklaani break for some slower moments (“Mettanpeiton” “Valtiaalle”, “Uniaika”) which help break the record up so it doesn’t sound repetitive. The band definitely can write catchy melodies and hold interest.
Karkelo is happy, upbeat metal, with accordion and violin, the same as the rest of their records. If you’re looking for a pub atmosphere and a good time, by all means pick this up. Take the band and Karkelo for what it is. Don’t take it too seriously. Have a few pints and enjoy.
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These guys have been on a total buzzkill since they signed to NB
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 08:16Yeah it sure isn’t album of the year. LOL! It’s like a bad joke really. Thats why you can only listen to them while drinking. It’s like watching a b horror movie just to laugh with buddies.
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 10:08its like the first few album were a huge party- and now they are hung over- too many slow somber songs on last 2 albums
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 10:44I dunno Shane, it sure looks like you’re having a good time with this album.
http://img528.yfrog.com/i/stiffykorpiklaani.jpg/
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 11:25I just find it funny that most reviewers start their reviews with “this band has a sound that you either love or hate”, and then basically the review is so middle of the road it’s ridiculous.
It seems to me these kind of bands are ripe for the category of, “they don’t really suck, but it isn’t essential listening either”.
For me personally, I think this is a fun kind of sound, but I don’t really think I could listen to it all the time.
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 12:55^ Well, you are right. The review sure seems middle of the road for me stating it’s a love/hate record. I just don’t like to trash a band because I don’t like the sound. They are talented. Just depends on what your looking for.
on Oct 8th, 2009 at 14:38