Rusty Treasures
Self-Released, 2018
8/10
The Finnish rockers Eldanka know their way around an instrumental song you won’t soon forget, and here there’s a dozen tracks that showcase the dynamic interaction between Mika Jämsä (lead guitar), Rasmus Tammik (rhythm, surf, acoustic guitars), Mauri Haapamäki (bass), and Janne Torvikoski (drums).
“SUP Rider” opens the listen with a bit of playfulness as thumping drums and warm guitars help make for a soothing yet exciting, cinematic opener, and “Paranta Beach” follows with Jämsä on trumpet and Mauri Haapamäki’s tenor horn on the cultured, bright climate.
In the middle, “Treasure”, which is influenced by game music, brings marching band style drumming to the spirited guitar work, while “SF Surf” places Jämsä on flugelhorn in the speedy, West Coast surf rock meets Eastern and Balkan folk music.
Close to the end, “Jopo-The First Ride” enlists Minnamaria Jämsä on piccolo flute, Mika Jämsä on trumpet and has Mauri Haapamäki handling trombone for the Tex-Mex influenced album highlight, and “Springfields” exits the listen with nods to Christmas in the dreamy, memorable finish.
An excellent blend of folk-rock, surf-rock, alt-rock and prog ideas, the 4 members of Eldanka are superb musicians, and this very interesting vocal-less listen is perfect for fans of instrumental, guitar driven sounds.
Travels well with: Apocalypse- The Castle; Going Up North- Waiting For The Sun