Music from the noise

Cupcaking by Bureau of Broken Sounds -- that's me!

I started working on this album in April I think. Only I didn't know then that it was going to be a full album. I had recently bought a refill called Forest for my Reason music-making software, that contains beautiful nature field recordings and inspiring sounds. It felt so easy to just pick a patch and make a complete song structure in 10 minutes, so I decided I'd compose a track for each of the 25 patches. Well obviously I only got to ten until the allure of putting together an album got too strong, but I'm very happy with how fast I was able to pull this off. 45 minutes of finished material in about three months!

Because the inspiration came largely from nature sounds, I wanted to make music that would explore our connection/disconnection/re-connection to nature. An urban person, myself included, often forgets that every being on this planet is interconnected.. we ultimately all share the same fate, and everything we do sends ripples further than we can see. We wrap ourselves in bricks and metal to shut out nature, and panic if a single bee gets inside the walls. How would we survive, if it was on nature's terms? It's a bit scary that we are largely disconnected from the rhythm of Mother Earth, but I have hope that when pus comes to shove, we will be able to adjust and reconnect.

I better stop here before I get too philosophical. Oh, if you choose to buy the album from bandcamp, there are two bonus tracks included as a thanks for support! And to finish off with style, here's a music video I did for the closing track, which I hope you enjoy. The video and pics are from my hometown, basking in late summer's glory. Happy cupcaking to everyone!

Edit: One last thing: you can like my music project on facebook to keep up with my latest works and goings on! http://www.facebook.com/brknsounds

Good old friend is a natural opening track, that immediately gives the listener a clear picture of what's coming. Player and singer talent is obvious from the first beats, and only gets more evident as the album progresses. Personally I love most the use of classic keyboards, like rhodes, wurlitzers etc. Liberal use of brass instruments also adds to the overall funkyness! Leave me is again a playful and wonderfully relaxed piece of feelgood funk, and works well after the bit more soulful track before it, Re C.P.

The fourth track, Superficial world, is again more on the serious side, but of course still retains the groove. Also, it features a bass guitar solo! (and a bunch of other solos, as if to hammer in a point..) Waht a night (sic) gives a more passionate performance and the chorus is reminiscent of a rock song with the overdrive guitars. Still, no fear of getting sidetracked from the funky origins, and the next track, Sunshine, takes us right back to the "safe zone". Nevermind the ripping guitar solo!

Now for the closing track, Osmose. Sounds like the band decided to pour their experimental ideas to the last song. I'm not saying it's something far out, but I think it definitely stands the most apart from the other tracks.

This time, exceptionally, I have the favourites clear. Good old friend and Sunshine come across as the most polished, smoothest and most positive, so the game is over before it started. If I had to pick a third to make this a top 3, I'd have to go with Leave me. Positive vibes win for me, because that's what I was looking for. Maybe you're into the more mellow tracks? Let me know in the comments below!

This time it's more electropop for you, as I shall introduce you to the Finnish Helsinki-based duo called Viola. They describe themselves as "Two guys influenced by beautiful heartfelt music, ass-shaking beats, sub-par humor and hidden messages." I will also be taking a slightly different approach in this post as opposed to the album-oriented review I've done before. You know how the Internet changed the way we make and listen to music? Well, a couple of years ago Viola decided they'd release everything they've ever done under a Creative commons -license, and have since popped out a new song every month, more or less steadily.

A music blogger Flint, who writes a fluffier music blog than I do, whipped up a convenient Viola beginner's guide - a playlist of Viola songs that give a good insight into what the band is about. If you're looking to get hit with their best shot, that playlist is an excellent starting point. (scroll the page down a bit and the player is right smack in the middle) You can also find the latest Viola tracks on the same page, right hand side.

Now that I've got you hooked up with the latest and greatest, let's get traditional and talk about my personal favorite. It's on to Jamendo to the album Wonderabilia (2007)

There's just so much groove and pop and melancholia and witty lyrics going on here, it's hard to believe it can all be crammed into one album. I especially enjoy the use of mellotron sounds. Also, there's a working dynamic of mellow and deliberate songs versus pulse-pumping, hip-shaking upbeat ones. Overall I find myself coming back to this album over and over, because it's just such a pleasure to listen.

Unreal life is a strong opener, that sets the scene beautifully. Ordinary teenage sensation comes in third, with a more upbeat take. The gated pad groove of Imaginary times should get your head bobbing, if nothing else will! I'm really trying here to only relate to you the highlights of the album, but to tell you the truth I want to say something about each track. If I had to pick the top three stand-outs they'd be... Unreal life, Always the first steps and Outsider code. That's just off the top of my head, and is open to debate. In fact, why don't you tell me about your favorites in the comments below!