Red Light Stop Sign

This has been a very good day. I attended an inspiring course and had an exceptionally good lunch, not to say that I'm (hopefully) breaking my 1½ years long tennis hiatus. So the timing should be pretty optimal for doing this review.

#1 Heart-Shaped Ice 10

Perfect lead-in for the album, beginning softly and building up to the second part of the chorus. The melody is quite complex, which is complemented by a rather straightforward structure. Clearly my favourite. Surprisingly enough, one of the two (!) tracks without a modulation.

#2 Red Light Stop Sign 10

The title track, then, is much less demanding and grabs along upon first listening already. The lyrics lack some coherence, which in a way serves to accentuate the sense of lightness, compared to the darker moods in many of the other tracks. The chords in the chorus are somewhat unconventional, especially towards the end.

#3 Jovian Skylight 10

Another more demanding listening experience right at the beginning of the album. A power ballad with a simple arrangement that keeps growing all the way through. Even though the overall style is different, the break part bears resemblance to Waiting for Life.

#4 Ainoain 10

There's an ambivalent atmosphere of both hope and despair, which the lyrics decide in favour of the former. A powerful song with calm parts in between.

#5 Way to Cow! 9½

Motown-influenced swing with a classical ESC style chorus. The story is either absurd or inane - or both. There are some slightly strange chord transitions in the chorus.

#6 Look Out! 10

Just like in #4, the parts have a lot of variation in style, the fast-paced verses are complemented by beatless choruses. There's a slight touch of rock as well.

#7 My Song 10

Very calm and peaceful, yet filled with sorrow and determination. Changes the key several times in a subtle way.

#8 Dead But Happy 9½

Not very original but works quite well, despite the confusing arrangement that makes the parts hard to distinguish. The arrangement is the most advanced.

#9 Slagroom (God bedring) 9

Puzzling title. Would be even more so, if I didn't know Dutch and Danish and be able to translate it to Whipped Cream (Get Well). Doesn't really make sense? Begins harmlessly enough with a piano intro but soon the pianist goes insane and the whole orchestra follows him. Refreshingly throws off the balance.

#10 Rauhan lahjaksi sain 9½

Then back to basics with some bells leading us to what turns out to be a full-fledged Christmas song. The lyrics are rather naïve, which kinda suits the theme.

#11 Standing Heart 9½

Traditional-sounding song containing an extensive story with more words than comfortably fit on the page. The two interloping parts create an interesting structure.

#12 From Those Who Have Lost Everything to Those Who Have Not Lost Enough 10

This must be the first time a title has had to be split onto two lines. Strangely, the verses sound more powerful the the choruses. Musically this could be a mixture of all the other tracks. Again, there are lots of words, forming a rather confusing story.

#13 Sluk telefon! 9½

Already the third title with an exclamation mark. Also the second to contain Danish. An almost too loyal tribute to 80's' Scandi-pop.

#14 Double August 8½

Atmospheric ending to the album.