OPEN EYE BAND

When long time musical friends from Järvenpää, Helsinki and Tampere met under creative stars in 2005, Open Eye Band was born. The basic setup, Pale Saarinen - accordion, Varre Vartiainen - guitar, Mikko Löytty - bass and Anssi Nykänen - drums started to work on a debut album immidiately and now it is here!

Open Eye Band’s live-emphasised music is multifaceted and prog-influenced with the energetic and husky accordion of Pale Saarinen rocking in a central role. Elements from world, jazz, pop and even heavy music colour this unprejudiced album. The mixture is stirred even further by some brilliant vocalists, such as Essi Wuorela (Rajaton), Hanna-Maria Helenius (Jippu), Johanna Aarnio ja Sami Saari. Guest musicians include for example Henri Sorvali (Moonsorrow, Finntroll), Marzi Nyman and Junnu Aaltonen.

The album opener “Thousands of Lakes” is a movie-like acappella by Hanna-Maria Heleniuksen and Johanna Aarnion that serves as an intro. The title track of the album continues rockin’ with Hanna-Maria’s powerful performance. There’s a real message also encrypted in the texts written by the singer herself.

“Magic Village” is the intro to the six part piece “STORIES”. It tells a story of a hundreds of years old fairytale village, that has kept quite of its secrets. One of the definite climaxes of the six part piece “Stories” is the song “So Long Ago” that was also released as a single. It’s a beatiful ballad, that Essi Wuorela makes a heartfelt interpretation of. “Hang On! / My Island, part two” are more on the rough side of the album, as the Hendrix-influenced wah-guitar, energetic drumming, the distorted accordion and the powerful vocal harmonies of Essi push the tune forward with a wall of sound. Teppo Nuorva’s story is in sync with the compositions feel, and the deep renditions of the vocal and instrumental performances. “The End Of The Party” is a mixture of Afrika and 60’s rock.

“Touches Like Fire” swings in a world music like Weather Report-groove and “Into The Life” offers a back to basics melodic vibe to rock out to. Sami Saari sings his heart out on the intimate love ballad “Sä Tiedät Ehkä Sen”, that has an ounce of Tom Waits mixed into it. The soulful text is written by Pauli Hanhiniemi. “Aku-Aku” offers a chance for the old dancing shoes to go wild, with the sampling and programming of Henri Sorvali and the keyboards of Arttu Takalo taking it even a step further.

“From My Heart To You” is an instrumental mind-melter with the tunes of “Sä Tiedät Ehkä Sen” arranged in a new way. “Stars” collects the strings together with its spiritual themes.

The songs on the album are all from the pen of Pale Saarinen, and were arranged together with the Open Eye Band. “Aku-Aku” by Upi Sorvali is the only tune that was composed outside the band itself. The version is dedicated to the late great finnish drummer legend, composer and pedagog.

“Screaming Baby” is a wild, vision-like, colourful, fun and extroverted musical package. A nordic and at the same time an international band production at its best.

Read further information on the singers of Screaming baby.