Lörbä Läbä Lörläbä by Ääriasento: A Wild Ride Through Finnish Weirdness
Alright, let me just say this straight up—Lörbä Läbä Lörläbä is one of those albums that makes you question everything. Like, what even is this? Released in 1997 by the Finnish band Ääriasento (on Melske Records), it’s labeled as Non-Music and Jazz, but honestly, calling it "jazz" feels like stretching the definition to its breaking point. This album doesn’t fit neatly into any box, and I think that’s exactly why it sticks with you.
Let’s talk about two tracks that hit me right in the feels—or maybe the funny bone. First off, there’s “Voinsyöjien Äänenavauslaulu”. The title alone sounds like someone mashed their keyboard while eating a sandwich, but dang if this track doesn’t grab your attention. It starts out all mysterious and brooding, like something bad’s gonna happen, but then BAM—it flips into this chaotic mix of yelps, clanging noises, and what might be an accordion having a nervous breakdown. You can’t help but laugh at how absurdly over-the-top it gets. But weirdly enough, it also feels kind of... triumphant? Like, yeah, life is messy and ridiculous, but hey, so are we.
Then there’s “Pastorin Nenä”, which translates to “The Pastor’s Nose.” I mean, come on—that’s already gold. This song feels like walking into a bizarre dream where everyone’s drunk on lingonberry juice and trying to hold a church service. There’s this wonky brass section that wobbles around like a tipsy moose, and the vocals sound like they were recorded through a potato. Yet somehow, it works. It’s goofy as hell, but it’s got heart too. Every time I hear it, I imagine some tiny Finnish village where the pastor moonlights as a jazz musician because why not?
What really stands out about Lörbä Läbä Lörläbä is how unapologetically itself it is. Nothing here feels forced or calculated; it’s like Ääriasento just said, “Screw it, let’s make whatever we want,” and ran wild with it. And honestly? That’s refreshing. In a world full of polished pop hits and cookie-cutter playlists, this album reminds you that music can be messy, unpredictable, and completely bonkers—and still be amazing.
But here’s the thing—I don’t know if I’d recommend this to everyone. If you’re looking for something chill to play during dinner, nah, this ain’t it. But if you’re in the mood for an auditory adventure that’ll leave you scratching your head and grinning like an idiot, give it a shot. Oh, and fair warning: listening to this album might make you crave pork chops and mashed potatoes. No clue why, but trust me, it happens.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof of our creativity, I’m handing them this album. Either they’ll beam us aboard for being geniuses, or they’ll leave thinking humans are totally nuts. Either way, mission accomplished.
