LAIKA & THE COSMONAUTS
Local Warming (Yep Rock)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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The first studio album in seven years from Finland's Laika and the Cosmonauts reminds us of why we fell in love with them in the first place. They have loads and loads of "cool factor" in every instrumental, with not a single song approached from a predictable angle, few moments going by without something giving you a few goosebumps. Whether it's the Matti Pitsinki's carnival-in-space keyboards, Mikko Lankinen's guitar tone (so rich it has to be unhealthy), or the unstoppable, anything-goes battery of Janne Haavisto (drums) and Tom Nyman (bass), someone's making a sound just for you in there somewhere. On 2000's Absurdistan (which was actually recorded in 1997) the band stepped into some new worlds beyond their usual surf-and-exotica territory. This time around they've kept a jazzy undercurrent on several tracks, but the emphasis is on the exotic, and the end result is a wonderfully melodic, richly-toned album that is right up there with their best albums. It sure is nice to know they're still out there, and still in fighting shape. We need 'em. There are quite a few good instro bands, but nobody else sounds like Laika and the Cosmonauts. Practically a genre unto themselves.

© 2004 - DJ Johnson