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Architecture In Helsinki - Places Like This

Album Reviews

If you're in sore need of a feverish, jumbled bag of nonsensical fun, Architecture In Helsinki is the band for you.

If you're in sore need of a feverish, jumbled bag of nonsensical fun, Architecture In Helsinki is the band for you. 'Places Like This' is the friend you had at school who had eyes pointing in slightly different directions, but who you loved anyway. They're the kind of band who you imagine are just a bunch of mates who get together and can't stop creating music, even if every idea isn't quite finished or polished. People who live for the sheer buzz of making music. We like 'em lots.

Recent poptastic single 'Heart It Races' is a jolly duet set to cannibalistic beats, like a human sacrifice in the middle of the Notting Hill Carnival. Elsewhere, 'Hold Music' grooves along like the B-52s bopping along with Prince. In other words, 80s kooky pop with a distinctly funky flavour. 'Like It Or Not' is the BBC's cricket theme music as covered by Iggy Pop in a particularly upbeat mood, while 'Debbie' is the Scissor Sisters with a migraine. One thing is for total certainty from listening to 'Places Like This' - AIH are uncategorisable, in a joyful, couldn't-give-a-damn-isn't-everything-loony kind of way.

For a world that is slightly off-kilter, AIH make absolutely perfect sense. Rating: 7/10