“Black Roses” reviews [Malaysia]

By Melody L. Goh
FIVE years ago, a young Finnish band played to a packed house at a small club in Kuala Lumpur. People didn’t really know who the band was, but its single In the Shadows really hit a chord with the crowd. Today, In the Shadows can still be heard regularly, and that says a lot about the popularity of the song. However, the band did not really enjoy the same popularity. The Rasmus, arguably one of “Finland’s best rock exports” is back with a new album called Black Roses. The band enlisted the help of top producer and hitmaker Desmond Child for this one and the result is a mixed bag of alternative rock with a distinct European accent. Some songs are catchy, but they’re not exactly in the same vein as In the Shadows. Highlights include Ten Black Roses, Dangerous Kind, Lost and Lonely, Run to You and Livin’ in a World Without You.

Reviewer: Jacobus Raj

HOW time flies. It seems like it was only yesterday that I first heard of The Rasmus and its wonderfully dark track, In the Shadows. A quick checking soon showed me that the song was from the Finnish band’s 2003 album Dead Letters. It may not have been its debut but that album served as a good introduction to me.

These boys, led by lead singer Lauri Ylonen, have actually been around for slightly more than a decade, releasing their first album way back in 1997 in their native Finland to some acclaim. The Rasmus first tackled its home country and the rest of continental Europe before bursting onto the English market.

Its latest album continues its gloomy theme with the title Black Roses. Once again, it adopts a slightly dark tone that blends well with its gritty guitars for a combination that could have descended into the harder, darker reaches of rock but settles into the realm of pop-rock instead.

Still, it’s an interesting listen with some gems like Living in a World without You, Ten Black Roses, The Fight and Live Forever. I had a blast checking this album out and would say it’s a nice, gentle rocker that should keep one entertained.

Share this article:

Tweet

Current&next releases

Latest news

© 2005-2008 The Rasmus Hellofasite | the Italian portal about The Rasmus | All rights reserved
This website is published under a Creative Commons Licence. It's strictly forbidden any unauthorized
reproduction partial or total of the layout and/or the contents.