Vapaa – ”Hum Hum Hum”
(Last Visible Dog CD 2007)
Vapaa – ”Hum Hum Hum”
(Last Visible Dog CD 2007)
From Aural Innovations #39 (May 2008)
Vapaa is a Finnish free-form improvisational group and they have previously
released several CD-R’s on 267-Lattajjaa, Outo etc. Hum Hum Hum is their
first CD release, and features only the core members Tiitus Petäjäniemi,
J. Koho, Joel Kivelä and Keijo Virtanen. The band members also perform
and record as Keijo and The Free Players. For live gigs, they often ask other
people to join them.
Hum Hum Hum was recorded in 2006 in Jyväskylä, and the album includes
five tracks of instrumental, experimental and quite psychedelic and atmospheric
music. There are elements of drone, free-folk, jazz and noise in there as well,
but the overall feel is quite ambient. The first track “Sarastaa”
has soft and hypnotic synth drone, floating guitar and monotonic bass. The long
“Varjoista” has peaceful, effected guitar, small-scale rhythm and
trippy synth sounds. Later on the drums get a bit more intense and the music
goes more into the experimental zone but the track still stays pretty laid-back
with delays etc. I like this! “Naky alas” is a great, drone-like
sonic collage. The bit weirder “Ajan odotus” has vague beats and
clatter as well as lightly chaotic synth and guitar noises but is still quite
minimal. The last track “Tuhannet vuodet” is a more laid-back affair
with some free-folk elements and synthesizers. Another pretty nice track. All
in all, Hum Hum Hum is a very enjoyable, adventurous, but still quite accessible
album for those into improvisational ambient music.
You can find more information from the band’s MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/vapaa
Check out the record label web site at: http://www.lastvisibledog.com
Reviewed by Santtu Laakso