KOTIPELTO & LIIMATAINEN
Sometimes it’s hard to know who an album is aimed at, especially when it is an acoustic side project featuring only one new song. Anyone not already familiar with Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) and Jani Liimatainen (ex Sonata Arctica) will probably pass this over, even more so considering the amount of metal genres, if they misinterpret the title ‘Blackoustic’. Therefore, I can only surmise that this is for diehard fans of the aforementioned bands who may want to see this pair on one of their acoustic gigs. I personally like Stratovarius, adore Sonata Arctica and have no problems with acoustic artists or albums but even I am struggling to understand this release.
‘Blackoustic’ is essentially acoustic versions of Kotipelto songs (band and solo), a Sonata Arctica track and some covers thrown in. Firstly, none of the songs have been reinterpreted or worked on, they are just played straight without the light, shade and power of the originals which actually makes them less listenable (on CD at least). Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica are already both very melodic bands, so to take away the essence of the compositions doesn’t make sense to me. Secondly, again, if you are aware of him, you will know that Kotipelto can hit all the notes, but on ‘Blackoustic’ he doesn’t appear to have changed his delivery much to suit the songs acoustically; he might as well still have a full band behind him. Lastly, bearing in mind what I’ve already said above, there are some covers you should not attempt, however beautiful they might be. All of the ones here pale in comparison to the original songs for many reasons, but the real kicker is ‘Rainbow Eyes’. Play this version next to Rainbow’s original, and the staggering, emotional and majestic performance of Ronnie James Dio, and you’ll get precisely what I mean. I’m sure if you were to see Kotipelto and Liimatainen in a live setting, it would be an enjoyable and relaxing evening of music but, in the current economic climate, there really was no need to release this as a studio album.
‘Blackoustic’ is essentially acoustic versions of Kotipelto songs (band and solo), a Sonata Arctica track and some covers thrown in. Firstly, none of the songs have been reinterpreted or worked on, they are just played straight without the light, shade and power of the originals which actually makes them less listenable (on CD at least). Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica are already both very melodic bands, so to take away the essence of the compositions doesn’t make sense to me. Secondly, again, if you are aware of him, you will know that Kotipelto can hit all the notes, but on ‘Blackoustic’ he doesn’t appear to have changed his delivery much to suit the songs acoustically; he might as well still have a full band behind him. Lastly, bearing in mind what I’ve already said above, there are some covers you should not attempt, however beautiful they might be. All of the ones here pale in comparison to the original songs for many reasons, but the real kicker is ‘Rainbow Eyes’. Play this version next to Rainbow’s original, and the staggering, emotional and majestic performance of Ronnie James Dio, and you’ll get precisely what I mean. I’m sure if you were to see Kotipelto and Liimatainen in a live setting, it would be an enjoyable and relaxing evening of music but, in the current economic climate, there really was no need to release this as a studio album.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
earMUSIC
Album
BLACKOUSTIC
Review by Rick Tilley
RUNNING TIME:
55:36
RELEASE DATE:
19th Nov 2012
TRACK LISTING
1) Sleep Well; 2) Out in the Fields
3) Black Diamond; 4) My Selene
5) Behind Blue Eyes
6) Hunting High and Low
7) Where My Rainbow Ends
8) Speed of Light
9) Perfect Strangers
10) Coming Home
11) Serenity
12) Rainbow Eyes
13) Karjalan Kunnailla
3) Black Diamond; 4) My Selene
5) Behind Blue Eyes
6) Hunting High and Low
7) Where My Rainbow Ends
8) Speed of Light
9) Perfect Strangers
10) Coming Home
11) Serenity
12) Rainbow Eyes
13) Karjalan Kunnailla
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Finland
"...if you are aware of him, you will know that Kotipelto can hit all the notes, but on ‘Blackoustic’ he doesn’t appear to have changed his delivery much to suit the songs acoustically; he might as well still have a full band behind him."
