Viima - 2 Studio Albums (2006-2009)

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Viima - 2 Studio Albums (2006-2009)

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Ajatuksia Maailman Laidalta (2006). Viima started in 1999 in Turku as Lost Spectacles, led by three members of the later Psych/Folk band Kosmos, singer Päivi Kylmänen, keyboardist/drummer Kimmo Lähteenmäki and guitarist/flutist Mikko Uusi-Oukari. Viima play some sort of Symphonic-Folk Rock with minor psychedelic influences and bands like Carol Of Harvest, Rebekka and White Willow are the first reasonable comparisons. The overall atmosphere is mellow and calm despite the constant use of electric guitars. Viima rather head for balanced, careful-played Progressive Rock with elaborate melodies and dreamy instrumental sections than delivering something too complicated and excessive. The keyboard work of Lähteenmäki is a strong point and dominates the album, featuring moog synths, mellotron, harpsichord, church organ and piano, thus adding to the album a heavy vintage flavor. The guitar work is mostly melodic with evident Camel influences. Camel appear to be a great influence for the band also in the flute parts. However the acoustic passages have a melancholic tune, typical of Scandinavian bands, while female vocalist Päivi Kylmänen has a steady and clear voice. Do not expect to hear some fascinating musicianship by Viima. The members of the band are clever enough to focus on their strongest advantages, which are the delicate harmonies, the folk atmospheres and the vintage prog aesthetics.
Kahden Kuun Sirpit (2009). Apparently a more folk-oriented act on their debut album, a more or less total change of crew have also resulted in a different approach on this follow-up. Vintage sounding progressive rock is the main result; dominated by symphonic elements but also borrowing a fair few elements from folk, classical and jazz. In overall sound Camel often comes to mind - that is the parts of their production with a jazz and folk tinge rather than the ones with a more mainstream oriented sound - and in the most majestic moments there's also a fair likeness to Genesis. The closing epic, which also covers about half the length of this production, is the one with less obvious influences to it though. Organ and mellotrons aplenty see to it that the sound is distinctly vintage though; and the overall scope of the composition is tangibly more symphonic than the rest of this excursion. In short - those who appreciate symphonic prog as it was made in the 70's better put this one one their shortlist of stuff to check out.

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Viima - 2 Studio Albums (2006-2009)

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Viima - 2 Studio Albums (2006-2009)

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