Plain Ride: Skeleton Kites

Skeleton Kites is the fifth album from Finnish folk/blues/doom act Plain Ride, whose seemingly never ending love for American roots music has taken them through four previous releases of breezy, folky tones aimed more at aging Woodstock hippies that your normal Finnish metal fan. This one's a bit darker, with stark, doom laden flavors popping up in between the more casual, bluesy folk elements. "Suuri vesi" is sung in Finnish by Janne Westerlund, who has a very harsh vocal style that might be a tad grating to some, but he sounds more at home in his native language spewing out his gravelly Captain Beefheart styled vocalizations over some inspired acoustic guitar arrangements. I like the more kicked up "Yesterdays Fire", which sounds like a jam between Neil Young & Crazy Horse and Bob Dylan, featuring some heavy guitar riffs, organ, and well as the laid back acoustic guitar layers. "Empress" also mixes some heavier electric guitar dirges amidst the folk melodies, and there are some sizzling lead guitar solos on the rootsy "The Seige". Though those into acoustic folk & blues might certainly find plenty to enjoy here, all of our metal friends will have a hard time finding much of interest on Skeleton Kites, and truth be told, the vocals will be a love 'em or hate 'em affair for many.

Track Listing

1. St Jenny
2. Lt Greely
3. Suuri vesi
4. Yesterdays Fire
5. Skeleton Kites
6. Empress
7. The Siege

Added: April 27th 2014
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1914
Language: english

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