Finnish mellow rockers POETS OF THE FALL managed to get it right from the start as their first studio offering, “Signs of Life,” not only debuted at number one on the Finnish charts, it also won an Emma Award and was certified platinum some mere months later. This was not just a fluke, or beginner’s luck, as over the years the band has garnered much more attention – especially with their second outing, “Carnival of Rust” (2006) – and many of their subsequent albums became either fan-favorites or bona fide classic (or both). “Signs of Life,” which came out on January 19th, 2005, on Insomniac Records, is definitely a classic of the Finnish rock scene and holds up pretty well twenty years after its release.
Boosted by the fact that their highly soulful ballad “Late Goodbye” was featured in the 2003 video game Max Payne II, POETS OF THE FALL quickly became a household name in their home country with international fame not too far behind. Second single, and album opener, “Lift,” helped them gain even more traction with its catchy riffs, a hooky chorus section, and free-flowing vocal melodies. The other ten tracks are equally energetic and heartfelt, ranging from rock anthems to much softer tunes and much else in between. All this diversity makes the album a feel-good sonic experience, which I do believe is the band’s best selling point. Much of the appeal of POETS OF THE FALL is undoubtedly Marko Saaresto, whose melodious and honey-sweet voice has enough power in it to soar above more powerful instrumental (as “Lift” or “Don’t Mess With Me” prove) and enough sensibility to effortlessly carry the album’s many beautiful moments. However, the vocals are just one part of the equation, the other being the poetic and melancholy lyrics. I mean, if a band like HIM could get away with such themes on the metal scene, it could also work for POETS OF THE FALL, right?
It is exactly this mix of well-crafted lyrics, emotional vocal deliveries, and a wistful ambiance that gives this band its edge, so to speak. The most impressive thing, however, is that they mastered this sound from the very beginning, reason why the album was so successful when it got released, and why it is still a pleasure to listen to some twenty years later. Moody songs like “Late Goodbye,” “Stay,” or “Someone Special” still hit the sweet spot with their candid lyrics and laid-back bass grooves, while more energetic tracks like “Overboard,” or “Shallow” balance the album’s sound design with their guitar riffs and catchy choruses. Then there are tunes like “3 AM” or “Illusions and Dreams” that perfectly mix the band’s moodiness and their dynamic songwriting as these jauntier compositions are fun to listen to and connect to them on an emotional level. However, it is closing track, “Sleep,” that showcases not just Marko Saaresto’s soothing voice but also the band’s unparalleled ability to create a deeply enveloping ambiance.
“Signs of Life” is one of those albums that truly showcase how less is indeed more, as there’s a minimalism at play here that makes the songs feel more impactful and immediate as the aren’t any unnecessary embellishments or big instrumental spotlights to clutter the sound. Every song has a raw, unadorned backbone that the Finns have dressed in moody sounds and touching vocals, but without ever feeling like there is something missing, like any one song could benefit from an upgrade or anything like that. Consequently, “Sleep,” or “Shallow” leave a lasting impression because they are so mellow and delicate, and “Seek You Out,” or “Everything Fades” work because of their fuller and poppier sound. Honestly, these songs are so poetic and genuine that any extra frills would have made them feel shallow and frivolous.
Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, POETS OF THE FALL have lived up to their name in a spectacular fashion not only on this album but throughout their storied discography. Despite writing about such common themes as love and relationships, their music rides high on its sincerity, which, in turn, makes the band stand out on the alternative rock scene. For a debut album, “Signs of Life” is really well put together with quite a diverse repertoire of moods and soundscapes underpinning the songs and bringing them to life in an exquisite manner. The music may be stripped down for the most part but it is just as lush as the introspective lyrics it complements, while the vocals take everything a few notches further. This album offered POETS OF THE FALL a great start to their career and set them on a path that not many have trodden with the same grace and elegance as them, so give it a spin today!
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Lift
2. Overboard
3. Late Goodbye
4. Don’t Mess with Me
5. 3 AM
6. Stay
7. Seek You Out
8. Shallow
9. Everything Fades
10. Someone Special
11. Illusion & Dream
12. Sleep
Lineup
- Marko Saaresto – lead vocals
- Olli Tukiainen – lead guitar
- Markus Kaarlonen – keyboards, production
Label
Insomniac Records
