Architecture in Helsinki Album: “In Case We Die”

'In Case We Die' is the second full length album from Architecture in Helsinki, an underground favorite that critics don't like to admit they like. Not that I blame the critics; half the songs sound like the theme song for a children's cartoon. 'It'5', for instance, gives you the mental image of a bunch of ten year olds doing cartwheels in a playground. After the bubblegum-sounding verses, when the band screams shrilly in unison 'IT'S 5!' sounds like this is when they do the obligatory shot of the full cast smiling toward the camera. Many tracks have lightspeed vocals over fluffy piano melodies, and the lead vocalist sounds like a voice actor for Sesame Street. This *will* annoy a lot of listeners, but those it doesn't annoy should be able to enjoy the screwy playfulness of the whole affair, so long as they can open their mind to the possibility of enjoying such frivelous sounding music. There are also tracks such as 'In Case We Die (Parts 1-4)' that sound sort of like 80's bubblegum pop if those bands knew how to play instruments and were ten times more creative in capturing and embracing the youthfulness of the music they tried to play. I'm not saying you'll like this album, but if you could ever like an album that sounds like this, you'll love it.

Another great offering from the Aussie kids. Once you hear it a few more times you realize that the music is more complex than it sounds. Great fun!

I bought this today out of shear desperation for something new to listen to. I have never previously heard, or heard about AIH until I was thumbin' through the CD's at my local record shop. The artwork really caught my eye because it looks like indie - and I've been craving indie lately. For those of you asking yourself, WTF???, I usually use a little more intelligence when picking out new music, but this time, the artwork spoke to me... :P

At any rate, I wasnt let down. This is another VERY creative indie release with a very diverse arrangment that includes tubas, trumpets, violas, cowbells, marimbas and so-forth, in addition to the standard issue guitars, drums, bass, piano, keys. There are some really catchy tunes (just love "Maybe You Can Owe Me"!!!). There are many songs with changing tempos, which tells me they're not always chained to a click track. One of the female singers reminds me of Bow Wow Wow...has that sort of punky "HEY!, get outa my face!" charisma.

LOL! I have to agree with Chad about some of the songs sounding like they're made for children TV shows. But it's very fun to listen to! You can't have a frown on your face listening to AIH, it's just impossible.

Recommended for anyone. Check it out, I dare you!

Architecture In Helsinki are the future of pop music. Once thrown into the unhelpful "twee pop" category, these eight multi-instrumentalists have really hit their stride on "In Case We Die." In fact, I think it's the best pop album released thus far in 2005.

AIH throw in everything AND the kitchen sink to produce this music. By turns funky, introspective, hook-laden, shout-ridden, acoustic, and just plain wacky, "In Case We Die" manages to make perfect sense. "Do the Whirlwind" is perhaps the first song to captures one's imagination - a mostly straightforward Tom Tom Club-ish dance track in terms of its rather simple but infectious melody and beat. "Mostly" applies to every song on this album; few tracks can prevent themselves from veering in at least a couple of opposing directions. "Tiny Paintings" starts with a sweet, almost pathetic, tuba-and-percussion duet, slowly adding layers of vocals and instruments so that its cry of "Why? why? why?" becomes an affecting anthem by the end. "Frenchy I'm Faking" is a stuttering pop gem with tight horns and a simple sing-along chorus of "pa pa pa"s that you just have to join in with.

Architecture in Helsinki are following their muse wherever it takes them, regardless of the consequences, and clearly enjoying every minute of it. I enjoyed practically every minute as well, once I let go of my preconceptions. They're also a blast to see live, with a sound guy who gets amazing results from having so many instruments on stage.

This band is from Melbourne. They are like the Australian Arcade Fire. I wrote about them last year and mentioned that they were good. They are a little like Polyphonic Spree with a few less members. Some songs are more punk rock and wild. All the songs are equally great. This is a band that is going somewhere.