Neapolitan

Recommender: MicShazam
Label: Fonal
Artist: Islaja (Merja Kokkonen)
Title: Ulual Yyy
Genre: (Acoustic) Experimental music
Year: 2007

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
I thought it was a Frownland pick.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
It set the tone of the album.

3. What did you think of the next track?
It was like experimental Jazz.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
I don't mind her vocals.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
Somewhat.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
It stayed about the same.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
En puhu suomea.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
They were OK.

9. What did you think of the production?
meh

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
I never heard of her till now.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
No, not really.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I didn't listen to it more than once. It has the possibility of improving its likability with repeat listening.

13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
N/A

14. And the one(s) you liked least?
N/A

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
It's the third album.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Maybe not.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Neutral to slightly positive.

18. Did the album end well?
It ended like hot summer's day with the sound of birds chirping away along with the sounds of other critters. The ending was even more low key than the beginning.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Not really. It is experimental endeavor, and meddling in it would only change the character of the album.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I think it was consistent.

Rating: ★★★✯ (3 1/2)

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