#eero heionen

[tampon-on-the-sidewalk]

Songs You Should Know From The Rasmus

An iconic band is representing Finland in Eurovision this year! However, most people who have known about The Rasmus prior to Jezebel usually think of their biggest hit, In The Shadows. I want to shed light on the songs that have gone unheard, and show how amazing these guys are. I will attempt to narrow it down to two per album. Under the cut because long! This will be in chronological order and hopefully show their evolution as a band.

Song- Album- Year

1. Fool- Peep- 1996  I chose this one because it’s the closest in lyrics to their current sound! Their first album I like to call the genre Skunk-ska punk. It’s also one of the few songs in the debut that you can understand his English! The singing is so fast in the others that you really can’t tell what Lauri is saying. An important note- Aki is not the drummer in this album, but rather Janne Heiskanen. Founding Guitarist Pauli Rantalsami can be heard here. 2. Small- Peep- 1996 This one moreso sets the tone for the entire Album, and their sound for the next few albums. Definitely more of a funky sound.  3. Sophia- Playboys- 1997 When I think oldschool rasmus, this is the first song that comes to mind! The brass, the composition of the song, the fast-paced lyrics and over-all fun feel of the song despite the lyrics. This album has a lot of guest performers, from the instruments to backing vocals, which I think is pretty astounding.  4. Blue- Playboys- 1997  I wanted to put this one in as well, because there’s something about the way the older songs are composed that really tell a story. If you have the time, I recommend this whole album in that regard.  5.  Help me Sing-Hell of a Tester- 1998 This album is the last time we hear the brass in a Rasmus song. Lauri’s vocals are starting to come in a bit stronger, and his pronunciation is improving. I really like this one musically. 6. City of the Dead- Hell of a Tester- 1998 As you could expect from an album titled ‘Hell of a tester’, there are a lot of experimental tracks on this. This is where their sound starts to sound like Dead Letters/Hide From the Sun. 

7.  One & Only-Into- 2001. This album was VERY difficult to pick just two songs from, because they’re all so great and diverse. This is when the band really starts to take form. I feel like Lauri’s vocals are the strongest in this album(at least, until 2008) and this is the debut album of current drummer Aki Hakala. Most of the songs in this have a cinematic feel. 8. Bullet- Into- 2001 Despite not being a single, I feel like this song is also a very recognizable Rasmus song. You can start to hear a bit of Dead Letters take shape.  9. Time to Burn- Dead Letters- 2003 I’m partial to this one because it was actually the first Rasmus song I’ve ever heard! The somewhat depressing lyrics, the energy of the whole piece, the chorus is just. Perfection.  10.  In My Life- Dead Letters- 2003  Content warning for sun glare in the video The song was definitely an anthem to me as a little gay boy growing up. A very uplifting, empowering song. The ending of the song is one of my favourites. 11. Dancer In the Dark(bonus track)- Hide From the Sun- 2005 The Rasmus has always been great at the opening instrumentals of their songs, and this is no exception. The chorus really tugs at my heart. This album in general has probably the darkest lyrics of their entire discography. You can really feel the pain in some of these. 12. Dead Promises- Hide From the Sun- 2005 An intense song that just keeps building as it goes. Also has the lyric that inspired the album title!   13. Lost and Lonely- Black Roses- 2008 I was torn between which one to showcase the musicality of this album(this or Ghost of Love). The composition of both songs is somewhat similar, but it’s so beautiful. I chose this one as the ending instrumental is so pretty. It should be known that Desmond Child(who helped write Jezebel) also worked on this album alongside the band. 14. Dangerous Kind- Black Roses- 2008 Probably the most upbeat(next to Your Forgiveness) song of the album. The thing about this album, is all the songs almost feel like one song strung along.  15. Sky- The Rasmus- 2012 For a self-titled album, this couldn’t be more different than what they were known for which is why it’s so amazing. The vulnerability in all of the songs really speaks to me but this one in particular? For starters, the lyrics are about a man on death row coming to terms with everything before he’s executed. The fact that Lauri could write a song like this is just astounding. Easily my favourite The Rasmus song of all time. 16.   Empire- Dark Matters- 2017. I’m going to be brutally honest, this album as a whole was a huge letdown to me. None of the songs were particularly memorable, the instrumental hooks in the beginning that they’re so well known for are nowhere to be found(at least not to the caliber they’re known for), and I feel like Lauri’s vocals aren’t strong at all. However, this song definitely packs a punch and is very personal for both he and Eero(EDIT, it was Pauli), who were going through marital issues at the time. This album is the last one to feature guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi.  17. Bones Honorable mention. This song reminds me specifically of a different band, but I can’t think of who it is. Maybe Reflexion? It’s very powerful yet subtle where it counts. This is not in an album yet! Thanks for reading, and happy listening!

[akiraylonen]

Menos de dos horas para el video official!! The Rasmus! Lauri Ylönen Pauli Rastansalmi eEro Heionen Aki Hakala Yo! <3

[davebrockie]

i didn't expect eero to be such a good singer.