THE RASMUS – “Dead Letters” (20-year classic)

THE RASMUS
“Dead Letters”
CD (Motor/Universal)

What we have here is melancholic Pop/Rock for beginners. Although sometimes a little gloomy, the light always stays on, so there is no need to be afraid! “Dead Letters” is the fifth album of the Finns, and currently they succeed with it the breakthrough in Germany, not least thanks to a firmly biting earworm of the first single “In the Shadows”. Also the remaining tracks of the record remain in the knitting pattern of an uncompromisingly clean production, and in this respect it is only consistent not to make breaks where you can stay knee-deep in catchiness. Now and then provided with powerful guitars, singer Lauri knows how to bring his “undeliverable letters”, symbolized in the lyrics, to the audience, not without a languor factor. A tip: “Not Like the Other Girls”, a hymn-like piece, suitable either for a lonely look into the distance or for waltzing with your sweetheart.

Meike Spanner

(The review was first published in the Orkus! issue September 2003)

Listen to “Dead Letters” on Spotify: