Hear Me Now

The last album of my Finnish favourite band, as well as their only English one. This could've been a very good album without all those boring ballads...

#1 Wonder Why 9

Unbelievable lyrics, just like it says in the Aika standard. "I lost all I had and made you feel sad / I lost all your love and that's why I feel bad"...

#2 Hear Me Now 10

From the single review: "I can remember hearing this for the first time at the old Hallintorakennus gym (rest in peace). From the very first seconds I was hooked and spent the night trying to find the song on the net. I couldn't because it hadn't been released yet. There's something intrinsically magical in this simple piece. How I wish their album had been better... However, I fear the qualities of this track alone won't suffice to gain a 10, in comparison to a certain other one with an even greater song, good remixes and a terrific B-side... Sorry." I still remember so well how Maria complained about the lyrics. Somehow the idea of a girl crying to make her lover stay was strongly against her principles...

#3 Glittering Lights 10

My second favourite, very danceable disco.

#4 Love Is the Answer 6½

My first thought about this was, how a dull ballad like this has ended up as track 4? Still I'm waiting for the answer. And I'm pretty sure it's not love.

#5 Rock Me Baby 9

Somewhat different from the unfortunate past ESC winner with almost the same title. Probably my fourth favourite. Not special but has good chords and isn't dull.

#6 Sunday Undercover 7

Somehow all songs about Sundays seem to be bad. Just like this one. The verse is like a depressed version of Scooch's For Sure. The chorus saves a lot but not enough.

#7 Baby Believe 8½

My favourite ballad on the album (if you don't count tracks 1 and 2 as ballads) and one I'd have left after cleaning out the worse ones.

#8 Give It All 9½

Last of the good ones, the most energetic track. Initially the chords sounded strange to me, well they still do but I've learnt to like them. Apparently my third favourite.

#9 Honesty And Loyalty 8½

Pompous intro leads to quite an intermediate ballad... Oh, it's this one. This is the other one I'd have left onto the album.

#10 Little By Little

"I think there's no better word to describe this song that "okay". This certainly is no single material..."

#11 Here in the Sunlight 6

Hoooh-rooohr...