Geafar is the second album from Lahti's Haikara. Recently I wrote of the debut, and similarly I had no recollection of this album either, even though I've owned it in one form or fashion for close to 25 years. It starts off with a bang, a massive fuzz bass riff that leads to a somewhat trite song going on about a "revolution" of some sort - while peacefully sitting outside on the porch enjoying a drink. Gil Scott-Heron this is not. It would be Haikara's only attempt at English, and with lyrics like "we gotta change the world, we gotta change the people...", probably a good thing this was it. Huh? Change the people? With what - aliens? Also the chorus' sounds like an early 70s children's TV show. With fuzz bass and great instrumentation mind you. I suppose if one were to view it from a Stark Reality lens, it's excellent. This then leads to the second track, and back to proper incomprehensible Finnish. The easy to remember 'Kun Menet Tarpeeksi Kauas Tulevaisuuteen, Huomaat Olevasi Menneisyydessä' starts a varied three song sequence, that is engaging if not overly substantial. And we finally get to the near 15 minute title piece, the one track that does recall the debut - but even better. This is Haikara at their complex best. In the end, their two classic progressive rock albums are very different from each other, and yet they rate out about the same.
Ownership: LP: 2015 Svart. Picked this up from a friend a few years ago, after receiving a great offer for my former CD copy that I had owned since the late 90s. An excellent reissue that converts the original single sleeve to a gatefold, and adds liner notes, recording details, and vintage live photos. Also includes a lyrics sheet. Not sure which side of the insert makes the least sense, the one track in English or the ones in Finnish. You decide.
