The rasmus – Everything Is Better With Dragons

In an intimate venue, to a decent crowd, The Rasmus finished their tour of Russia and Europe.

The Main Room of Nottingham Rock City last night played host to the band mostly known in the UK for ‘In the Shadows’, their 2003 hit from the album ‘Dead Letter’ for the forth time. A mixed crowd waited patiently from half six when the doors opened until half eight for the band to appear, drinking and enjoying the music.

The Dirty Youth, the support act, warmed the crowd up, attempting to organise a sing-along with the crowd, most of whom had never seen them before. I think they will have gained a few fans at last nights show though. The songs were good, annoyingly catchy, and the musicians talented. They made the effort to sign things and talk to people at the merch desk after the gig.

And I had to resist the urge to steal the guitarists hat.

The Rasmus were welcomed vociferously by an enthusiastic crowd. While the room was not packed the floor was full. Giving a great performance, a mix of new songs – ‘I’m a mess’, and older hits – ‘Falling’ etc, the band really entertained. At one point Lauri grabbed a guitar, climbed on a stack of amps and performed from there. The audience sang every song with the band as they celebrated a successful tour.

Part way through the band were interrupted by ‘Scandinavian hunks’ with a letter which Lauri (vocals) read – it was to a young lady in the audience from her boyfriend – a proposal. The lass in question was called on to the stage and asked for her answer. The band sang in Finnish a song Lauri considered perfect for the occasion. Luckily the woman said yes.

The gig continued with some gentler songs as Lauri joined Pauli on guitars and sang as they all took seats at the front of the stage. The night continued and was over far too soon. Towards the end I found it a little difficult to hear what was being sung, although whether that was Lauri’s voice or the volume of the crowd was hard to tell.

The shouts of the crowd for ‘more, more’ after the band left, and the cheers and clapping when they returned for their encore could leave nobody in doubt as to the band’s popularity.

I had a great night, the music was excellent and the venue good. Even from the back of the room there was a great view of the stage and the band.

And now I’m going to collapse on the train home and try to get some sleep.

Bye,

Rose

I don’t often review anything but books, but I felt like reviewing this album. There may be more album reviews in future. Specifically I am reviewing this album because I’m going to see The Rasmus in concert in December, and since I’m going to review the concert I may as well review the album the tour is supporting.

The Rasmus – Lauri Ylonon (Vocals), Eero Heinonen (bass) , Aki Hakala (drums), and Pauli Rantasalmi (guitar), released this, their eighth album in June of this year. Produced in Finland and released on Warner records, this self-titled album shows the influence of Ylonen ‘s solo work. It has more of an electro-pop feel to it than previous albums from The Rasmus. However it also shows a continuation in tone from 2008’s ‘Black Roses’. It is possible to see an evolution in the sound if The Rasmus from their energetic early albums ‘Peep’ and ‘Playboys’, to the more ‘rock’ ‘Dead Letters’ through to the present day. The more mature sound still has a rock edge to it but also returns, a little, to their earlier more ‘pop’ or ‘electronic’ sound.

As usual the subject matter lyrically is that of love lost and found, again a common theme in their albums since 2004’s ‘Dead Letters’. Tackled with their usual poetic lyricism the songs do not feel hackneyed. I particularly like ‘I’m a mess’. I thought the video for ‘Stranger’ the best. Although I still can’t work out why Lauri’s while wandering around a city dressed as a king.

All in all, I enjoyed The Rasmus’s self-titled offering. It’s a bit different, but not such a departure from their earlier albums to make the difference jarring.

5/5