GLORYDAZE Music - Articles: Firenote

ARTIST: Firenote
ALBUM: Firenote
LABEL: IVK Music
SERIAL: IVK09-02 CD
YEAR: 2009
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: Ricky - vocals * Hammond - keyboards * Isko - guitar * Gene - bass * Mike - drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Firenote * 02 Danger * 03 Sara La Fountain * 04 Speed Freak * 05 My Love Will Never Die * 06 Don't Ever Fall In Love * 07 Love Me Or Let Me Live * 08 Mayday * 09 Suddenly * 10 Heartbreaker * 11 She Stole My Speedos

RATING:

WEBLINKS: www.myspace.com/firenote : www.firenote.com

Background
Finland and Sweden are proving to be nurseries for the melodic hard rock genres over the last two or three years. I keep rabbiting on about this fact as if I were a broken record. While the USA is besieged by Britney, Miley, Pink and every black rapper under the sun that thinks they have something worthwhile to say (they haven't.. but that story is for another day), Europe, in particular Scandinavia is purifying the musical airwaves with clean melodious rock that keeps this website in operation for a few more years at least.. we'll try and make it to 2012, but beyond that it's anyone's guess! The latest band off the Scandi production pipeline are Firenote. Do we assume then that the 'Fire' in Firenote is a tribute to fellow Finns Brother Firetribe. That's what I first thought when I heard about these guys, but I don't think so, as they've been around the Finnish scene a lot longer than BFT. Despite their recent elevation in the publicity stakes, Firenote are not a new band. They've been in operation since 2004, have released three demos in that time, and were picked up last year. Their track 'Danger' was released as a single. Released on the small label IVK Music, Firenote arrive with full pistons blazing, and all revved up and ready.. if the fantastic album cover is anything to go by.

The Songs
Many comparisons and reference points could be thrown at this band. Listeners will find their own, in my case, I would suggest that there is a bit of H.E.A.T, fellow Finns Free Spirit, Shy, the latter no doubt due to lead singer Ricky's high-pitched warbling similar to Tony Mills. Let's have a listen..

The album kicks off with the Dalton sounding 'Firenote', a good likeable start, but you first have to get past Ricky's high vocal parts, which are off-putting on the chorus. Thankfully he gets much better as the album moves on.

'Danger' has a very compressed sound, and if you like bands like Free Spirit and other Finnish wonder mints, then this track will appeal. The big choruses and pumping bass lines drives this one real hard.

One of the album highlights is 'Sara La Fountain', pick the eyes out of this one folks, the track can be heard below..

We return to the 80's for the hard riffing of 'Speed Freak', which has touches of Gotthard or Shakra in the mix, all due to the traces of organ you hear in the background. I wonder if the speed freak they refer to is the gorgeous brunette on the album cover? lol!

The delicate piano work on 'My Love Will Never Die' will touch a place with Robby Valentine fans. A ballad, it's full of emotion but the hard rock elements kick in at the right moment for maximum impact.

'Don't Ever Fall In Love' lands slap in the middle of Scandi AOR land, thick choruses, masses of keys and guitar fills.. aah just how we like it.

Another track with references to Talisman and Free Spirit is the head-turner 'Love Me Or Let Me Live'. It's the sort of sound that is defining classic Scandi bands these days, full and rich, and based off a recipe that obviously works.

'Mayday' uses some neo-classical styles throughout, not enough to turn it into a widdly diddly affair, the track very much still a vocal oriented rather than instrumental body of work.The keyboard solo to my ears has definitely been influenced by some of H.E.A.T's work from last year.

The opening keyboards to 'Suddenly' are gloriously rich and atmospheric, all turning into a full on Finnish feature. The only slight complaint from me is the way they stop the momentum with the piano parts during the pre-chorus. Apart from that, no qualms.

'Heartbreaker ' is an enjoyable romp, commercial beyond compare, all very Scandi with a layer of organs providing the underbelly. Very nice track!

What inspires a band to write a track with the title 'She Stole My Speedos'? It might have a degree of tackiness title-wise, however I needn't think Steel Panther should feel threatened. Musically, it's fast-paced, super melodic (especially the vocal choruses), and lyrically it's hilarious, plus it's a great addition to the album. More bands should do funny sends up like this. I wonder if we'll see a trend?

In Summary
The production on this CD sounds like a million-bucks, no problems there. Firenote could go on to impress many melodic rockers, their debut an impressive feat, and it's good to see the quality improving for 2009, as this year has been kinda slack in the AOR/melodic rock sub-genres overall, compared to last year. Some might question the vocals as being a weak point in an otherwise solid performance, then again, others will just accept that as being part of the band's flavour, Go on, take a punt, invest a few bucks in Firenote. You won't be disappointed!

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