Although Signs of Life garnered some international interest, Poets of the Fall were still pretty limited to being recognized within the confines of Northern Europe. This would all change with their second album Carnival of Rust, and more specifically with the music video for the title track.
More of the Different
Just from its opening song Fire it's quite evident that the band is still an independent rock group with its poetic lyrics and driven guitars, although this time the gain has been turned up a lot, giving a far more hard rock edge to begin their album with. The wailing, complimentary lead ties in with the humorous vocals, poking fun at the music industry Establishment. Added effects from the slick production finish off the introduction to a more relaxed and fun album, and it really does feel that POTF are really reveling in their favorite element.
Sorry 'Go Round continues to poke more fun at the celebrity culture, probably coming from the perspective of position the band suddenly found themselves in after Signs of Life. Certainly one of the highlights from the entire album is in this song, when Marko Saaresto puts a screaming, AC/DC high-pitched emphasis into the words 'rock 'n' roll star', backed with a quick lead. It also shows off the drumwork and how dynamic the band can be, especially when it hits the time-changed bridge section. But it's not until the third song on the track listing that POTF really show themselves off.
Cinematic Rock Does Exist
The single Carnival of the Rust shows a grown and much more mature POTF, as although it contains the staple innovative music and sweeping choruses, it weaves in and out of acoustic and electric guitar, with amazing mixing and passionate, thoughtful lyrics. In all, although it sounds a little bit sad, its not without the odd glimmer of hope and so the overall feeling of the song is that it's 'classic' POTF.
The video for the song compliments it so well that it was laden with awards: Muvvi's People's Choice Award in 2007, YLE Audience Choice Award for Best Finnish Music Video of All Time to name a couple of them. Later on in 2009 it was released in HD, letting the colors and tones show off in full sway, and it made appearances on Kerrang! and MTV.
An Album of Thirds
Locking Up The Sun comes up next on the track list, and is an enjoyable rock song, with some slight cheddar to the lyrics, but it's good enough to bob your head to and lifts the listener up again after Carnival of Rust. Gravity also follows suit in this way, before it follows up with the second part of the album, which is calmer than the first by which the guitars are less forceful and the vocals are a little bit more prominent. Acoustic and light electrics are the order of the day here, with King of Fools, the excellent Roses, Desire and the haunting All the Way/4U paving the ground for more hard rock.
Although Delicious is a great rock song by itself, with catchy lyrics and a great wall of sound, it doesn't hold a candle to re-mixed Maybe Tomorrow Is A Better Day. Two minutes in, this track is as surprising as Russia invading Georgia, with its crunching guitar riff and production that's as slick as a greased pig.
Daybreak
The album finishes up nicely with the reminiscent Dawn, overall creating an album that absolutely screams to be noticed outside of Finland. POTF tour like crazy things within Europe, and it was only after this album that they had a gig in the US. Time will tell if their music will mature further, because with this album and Signs of Life, it would be a crying shame if they were looked over any more.
James Clapham - After winning his Creative Writing Diploma, James Clapham moved to Slovakia. He currently works as an English teacher there, and is also ...
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