Album Review: Hello Tomorrow by Empire Stage Building – A Finnish Pop-Rock Gem You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into Hello Tomorrow, the 2012 debut album from Finland’s own Empire Stage Building (ESB for short). If you’re a fan of punchy rock riffs with just enough pop sparkle to keep things interesting, this one’s gonna tickle your eardrums. Released under So Music Finland and produced by Sampsa Astala—yeah, that guy who knows his way around a mixing board—it’s got all the hallmarks of a scrappy yet polished project. And hey, it’s Finnish, which automatically makes it cooler than 90% of what was coming out of other countries at the time.
Let’s break it down real quick. The genres here are listed as Rock and Pop, but don’t let that fool ya; this ain’t your dad’s classic rock or some overproduced bubblegum nonsense. Nope, ESB brings the goods with their signature Pop Rock vibe—a sound that feels like hanging out in a Helsinki café while daydreaming about road trips across Lapland. Tracks range from introspective ballads to straight-up bangers, so there’s something for everyone… unless you hate fun, in which case, why are you even reading this?
Now, onto the good stuff—the songs themselves. With eleven tracks on offer, picking favorites is tough, but two stand out like neon signs in a snowstorm: "How Much Pain" and "Mi Figlio Melodisio."
First up, “How Much Pain.” This track kicks off the album like a caffeinated squirrel leaping into action. Heikki Tuomisto’s lead vocals hit hard right away, backed by Mika Mäkelä’s thunderous drumming and Tapani Miettinen’s guitar work that sounds like it could cut glass if you turned it up loud enough. What sticks with me? That chorus. It’s catchy as hell, man. Like, I’ve caught myself humming it while waiting in line at the grocery store. Not ideal when you’re trying to look cool buying frozen pizza, but hey, sacrifices must be made.
Then there’s “Mi Figlio Melodisio,” which translates roughly to “My Melodic Son” (Google Translate says hi). Now, this one’s wild. It starts off slow and moody, almost like someone contemplating life choices after too many cups of coffee. But then BAM—Tapani Miettinen takes over on lead vocals, and suddenly you’re transported to an alternate universe where harmonicas rule supreme. Seriously, props to Miettinen for making the harmonica cool again. Who knew?
The rest of the album doesn’t disappoint either. “Don’t Waste Time” feels like a pep talk set to music, while “Heart of Stone” delivers exactly the kind of emotional gut-punch you’d expect from its title. Oh, and can we talk about Marko Grönholm’s lap steel guitar solos sprinkled throughout? Dude’s clearly been practicing in secret caves somewhere.
As for the credits, they read like a family reunion of talented Finns. Everyone pulls their weight, from Kalevi Reinikainen’s keyboard wizardry to Tomi Palander’s sharp design and photography skills. Even GT-Tuotanto Oy gets a shoutout for keeping the chaos organized. Respect.
So, would I recommend Hello Tomorrow? Absolutely. It’s not perfect—no album ever is—but it’s packed with personality and heart. Listening to it feels like meeting an old friend for the first time: familiar yet fresh, comforting yet exciting.
And honestly, isn’t that what great music should do? Make you feel connected, even if you’re sitting alone in your room wearing mismatched socks. Or maybe that’s just me.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof of humanity’s artistic worth, toss them a copy of Hello Tomorrow. They might leave us alone out of sheer confusion—or admiration. Either way, win-win.
