At The Hollow - What I Hold Most Dear

Finnish trio At The Hollow know how to make some moody post-rock. On that you can rely.What do you get when you cross a guitarist, a percussionist, and a contra-bassist in Helsinki? At The Hollow, of course (where did you come up with that other answer?). And the Finnish trio's latest album, What I Hold Most Dear, is some impressive stuff.

Now while the trio's music isn't particularly heavy, they do often get a bit raucous in their post-rock musings, with guitarist/vocalist Kalle Koo's earnest voice drifting above the din like the orisons of the forlorn rising to heaven. But what really sets this music apart from other similar acts is the synergistic effect of Juho Martikainen's pensive, bowed contrabass and Risto Järvelin's masterfully delicate percussion. Together these elements blend into a deceptively soothing flow that juxtaposes the gloomy lyrical content of this album.

The Bottom Line: In the hands of lesser musicians, What I Hold Most Dear could devolve into a mess of angst, lost amongst the emo bands that crowd the soundscape these days. But At The Hollow has a deft touch that belies a greater musical appreciation.

- Genghis is going to miss the cold weather...