Puutarhatrilogia by Regina
LABEL: Friendly Fire Recordings

According to the band’s website, “Regina is Iisa Pykäri, vocals, Mikko Pykäri, bass, guitar and programming, Mikko Rissanen, drums.” They hail from Helsinki, the capitol of Finland, and this is their third LP.

Flutework, congo drums, Indian, and Latin American influences give this album a tropical feel. With track names like “Terveiset päiväntasaajalta” (Greeting from the Equator) and “Tango merellä” (Tango at Sea) this should come as no surprise.

“Iisa’s voice sounds lite and childlike, with a bit of a women’s edge peering out here and there.”

Regina has concocted a fine blend of 80’s pop and 70’s disco combining synths with Bee Gees-like rhythms to create an album that takes you by the hand and begs you to dance along. The guitar work on “Sain levyt joita et halua kuunnella” reminds me of a “Last Dance“ by The Cure, and something about “Totuus minusta”'s urgency reminds me of “One Way or Another” by Blonde, except, the punk rock swagger is replaced with jungle and disco rhythms.

“Vapaus” (Freedom) is probably my least favorite song on the album. However, the songs tend to get better as the album progresses, and the tracks flow together quite well for a pop album.

Lisa’s voice sounds lite and childlike, with a bit of a women’s edge peering out here and there. At first, it reminded me of Macy Gray, at other times, a JPOP starlet or a Latina crooner. The way she calls out for Pauli on “Olen häviöllä, Pauli,” in that “I’m pining away for you” manner makes me wish I was Pauli.

All of the lyrics are sung in Finnish. Since my Finnish knowledge is limited to one tongue twister, I can only catch a glimpse of what the album is truly about through unreliable internet translators. As far I can tell though, the lyrics echo the tropical theme. Indeed, this album serves as a window for escaping the tediousness of everyday life. 


REVIEWED BY LUCY LU.
LUCY’S FAVE TRACKS: “Totuus minusta” • “Sain levyt joita et halua kuunnella” • “Sinun tässä salissa”




“Saanko Jäädä Yöksi?” (right-click to save)




Preview & purchase album from Other Music