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Huminoita - “All is Two” a review

2/21/2016

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PictureHuminoita "All is Two"
I have an album playing as I write this post that is excellent and that you might like to know about.

“All is Two” is the latest release from Finnish band “Huminoita”. You’ll be forgiven if you have never heard of the band because until a week or so ago, neither had I.

For me, that awareness issue got addressed when Huminoita’s manager (from its record label "Luova") got in touch with me via my website and offered me the opportunity to download some material for free. I mentioned this landmark event in a previous post so you can read about it here if you wish (that will save me repeating myself).

I initially downloaded All is Two but have since received a CD (which is more convenient for me to listen to), and it has been played pretty much continuously since it arrived. And it’s because I have enjoyed it so much that you are reading this article.   

The 39.5 minute album has six tracks:
  1. The Sheriff
  2. Hymn 23
  3. Goliath
  4. The Pilgrim
  5. King of Hearts
  6. Hymn 24

​The band is hard to categorise because All is Two is a fusion of psychedelic, spacey and progressive rock mixed with stoner metal, a dash of Jazz and then overlaid with occasional wailing - there is probably a better description than that, vocal harmonising perhaps, but you get my drift.

As an aside, for a band that wants its music to have a more global appeal, not singing probably makes more sense than singing in Finnish. The album tracks can be titled in English or any other language to suit to the market the CD is available in.

Back to the sound - think Pink Floyd mixed with Samsara Blues Experiment, with some occasional Hendrix vibes and a dash of Jethro Tull (because there’s a flute) – and that’s just on "The Pilgrim".

There is no singing, all the tracks are instrumental and the music has to do the storytelling. All is Two is not a collection of singles, it is best listened to in one go, without interruptions and when you can concentrate - because if you do, the listening experience is positively Floydian in its impact (and you will think about Pink Floyd when you hear the saxophone on "The Sheriff"and "The Pilgrim"). 

All is two is like a musical journey that you’ll find yourself drawn into and then immersed in; it is intense and the listening experience almost emotional. There are highs and lows, feelings of light and dark, changes in tempo, bursts of energy and some storm like crescendos – it’s almost more classical in composition than traditional rock.   

​For me the stand out tunes are "Goliath", "The Pilgrim" and "King of Hearts" because these multi movement pieces have everything, and the chugging stoner metal bass sound appeals to me.

These tracks are the middle of the album and whether it was intended or not, the pace starts slow, builds serious momentum and then calms back down (think - foreplay 1 & 2, sex 3, 4 & 5, post coital glow 6).  
 
I mentioned earlier that I had been sent a CD, which is my preference in terms of media. I like to have something physical, and I particularly like to have the packaging. I attach some photos of the open cd sleeve because the presentation of Huminoita around the circles is pretty psychedelic.

Overall, All is Two is a cracking album, I recommend it and, if you are a buddy of mine, I’ll even lend you my copy (Hughesy, you’re first). 

Separately I also have Huminoita’s eponymously titled first release. It is another good listen, interestingly this one has some singing – in Finnish. My favourite track on this album is “Kolmas silm+ñ” because it introduces an element that isn’t on All is Two – namely some death metal type growling.

If you want to listen to Huminoita, the band has a presence on Bandcamp – here’s a link: https://huminoita.bandcamp.com/

You can also find material on Youtube.

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