Album & EP Reviews

Von Hertzen Brothers – In Murmuration

Von Hertzen Brothers – In Murmuration
Self-Released
Release Date: 25/10/2024
Running Time: 44:29
Review by Beth Morait
9/10

Finnish Art Rockers, Von Hertzen Brothers, have been around for a good while now, with this album being their 9th. And although the press release says they’re difficult to categorise by genre, I would say this album is firmly planted in Rock. Classic Rock at that. 

It’s got all the features you’d expect from a good, solid Rock album. Pacey rhythms, riffs and solos aplenty, anthemic bangers, and slower ballads (‘Beneath The Silver Stars’ is an excellent example of their ballad talents, and possibly my favourite track from the album). 

But the thing that really makes this album stand out is the vocal harmonies from the 3 founder members, brothers Mikko, Kie, and Jonne Von Hertzen. That genetic connection makes their voices blend so well that it’s difficult to hear any difference within their voices, making for some of the most spectacular harmonies you’ll find.

All in all, there’s a really cheerful feeling to this album, and the opening track, ‘The Relapse’ will have you instantly tapping your foot and nodding your head. But, this track does close with my musical arch nemesis – the fade… Why, gentlemen? That’s my only question. Please for the love of music, work out a way to finish the song rather than just fading it out. It drives me crazy!

Melody, and the values of a good melody, are a driving force behind this work. Every song has its roots in a strong melody, which is memorable, and informs the instrumentation that sits around it. ‘The Change’ is massively driven by melody, and reminds me of early days Beatles, if you got them to do musical theatre, but with a modern twist. 

The other thing the band have mastered is taking things to next level tender, in the tiny track ‘Separation.’ It’s 1minute 48 seconds of the most delicate piano and vocal, which is simply beautiful, and leads the album into the final two tracks, both of which seam deeper than the rest of the album. The final track, ‘Wait For Me’, makes brilliant use of piano and orchestral strings in the opening section, producing a haunting introduction to another really bloody good ballad. 

If you like good solid Rock, with strong melodies, and lovely harmonies, that will get you tapping your foot, and pulling out your cell phone torch to hold it aloft and sway it at all the right points, then you’d better check this album out, because I can guarantee you’ll like it.

It’s a strong contender for one of my favourite releases of the year. But I’ve docked the obligatory one mark for that damn fade out! Grrr.

TRACKLISTING:
01. The Relapse   
02. A Good Life   
03. Starlings   
04. Ascension Day   
05. Beneath the Silver Stars   
06. Tightrope Walker   
07. The Change   
08. Separation   
09. Snowstorm   
10. Wait for Me

LINE-UP:
Mikko Von Hertzen – Vocals, guitar
Kie Von Hertzen – Guitar, vocals
Jonne Von Hertzen – Bass, keys, vocals
Sami Kuoppamäki – Drums
Markus Pajakkala – Keys, Woodwind

LINKS: 

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