Hannu - Hintergarten

by Anthony Strutt

published: 7 / 6 / 2009

Label: Kesh Recordings
Format: CD

Atmospheric and haunting post-rock on second album from Finnish-based musician, Hannu

Review

'Hintergarten' is the ninth release of Kesh Recordings, Simon Scott's label Simon Scott was the drummer in the Charlottes from Cambridge. After that he joined Slowdive playing drums on their first two albums, 'Just for a Day'(1991) and 'Souvlaki' (1993), before taking a long break from music. I first interviewed him in the late 90s when he formed Inner Sleeve, which produced two singles and an album for Fierce Panda. After this I interviewed him again in 2004 shortly after he had formed Televise, a band who signed to the Club AC30 label after its owners saw them at a Pennyblackmusic showcase at The Spitz in London. Televise still just about exists, but it is now just a solo project for Simon, who has also started other projects as well and releases material under his own name as well as running Kesh Recordings. Hannu lives in Finland. By the time he was 11 he was in a grindcore band. 'Hintergarten' is his second album, the follow up to 2007's 'Worms in My Piano'. To be honest when I first heard this album I was shocked as I wasn't expecting anything this beautiful. Simon also played on the album and is also credited with adding vocals too. Maybe I was sleeping, however, during its duration as I heard no vocals on it at all. Seriously though, I was awake and it's a joy from start to finish but I still heard no vocals. It opens with 'Pop', which is very cinematic and sweet with big beats that are calming. There is sense though that something spooky is going to happen just around the corner in a horror film style way, which suits me down to the ground. 'Lauttasaari' is fresh in sound, atmosphere-based and absolutely charming, a song to get lost inside of. 'Theme for Grant' is more groove-based and is Eastern in sound. 'Valtameri' is light and very minimalistic. Almost child-like in sound, it has some of the magic of Bjork. 'Kimallus' is a soundscape of total beauty, and has a sense of Christmas time to it. 'Maniac Moshers' is light with soft acoustic guitar and the sound of soft running water, which always sounds good on record to my ears. It is very relaxing and again absolutely charming. 'Kaipaus' is lush, cinematic with a Spaghetti Western feel to it. 'Tassunjalkia' is eerie in sound with decent beats, while 'Hintergarten' is atmosphere based and very cinematic. 'Unenviela' has gentle guitar with smooth beats that are gentle on the soul. 'Valssi' is elegant and Eastern in feel and has a touch of darkness. It is a lovely way to to end this album, which is Simon Scott's favourite release on the label to date.