The Bablers 'Like the First Time' album review: Finnish pop supergroup's cult album finally gets a global release
- photogroupie
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
The musical phrase 'Big in Japan' takes on a whole different meaning for Finnish popsters, The Bablers. The band have been making music since the 70s and have been hailed as “the Finnish Supergroup of Pop” for a good reason: Each band member – songwriter/vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Arto Tamminen, Janne Haavisto (drums, vocals), Pekka Gröhn (bass, keyboards, vocals), and Hannu Pikkarainen (guitar, vocals) - holds at least one Finnish Grammy for their musical work outside the band.
The album 'Like The First Time' became a cult classic and has long been out of print and only available in Finland and Japan. The wait is finally over and 'Like the First Time' has finally got a fancy new remix and rearranged tracks. Originally issued only in Japan in 1998 by EMI, the hit single “You Are The One For Me” received massive airplay on Japanese radio. Songs from the album were featured in TV ads, and “You Are The One For Me” is still a Japanese karaoke favourite today.
Listening to the album is not only a throwback to the 90s indie wave and Britpop era, but the psychedelic footprints of the 60s when pop was in its infancy.
Arto Tamminen's vocals are reminiscent of John Lennon, so it's no surprise that the lilting pop melodies are hugely influenced by The Beatles. 'You Are The One For Me' upholds the band's commitment to upholding songwriting traditions. 'Together Forever' has a dreamy like quality, with the band's characteristic subtle harmonies that channel not only the Fab Four, but bands like The Searchers. 'Thinking of You' and 'Could It Be You' have more pop bite and heavier drumming, which would be more congruent with the 90s, but still retain the 60s heart in terms of melody.
The arrangements are effortlessly textured with the instruments underscoring the songs' sentiment. Mr King illustrates this and finds a balance between harmony and the undulating percussion of the track.
It might have been a long time coming, but the wider release of 'Like the First Time' gives this nostalgic album a chance to shine. Who knows you, might even find your next karaoke song.