Album Review: En Tiedä Mitään Parempaa by Markku Hokkanen – A Finnish Pop Rock Gem You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s talk about En Tiedä Mitään Parempaa, the 2013 album from Finland’s own Markku Hokkanen. It’s one of those records that sneaks up on you—like when you’re scrolling through Spotify late at night and suddenly something grabs your ears like a warm hug or an old friend saying, “Hey, remember me?” That’s this album in a nutshell. With its blend of pop sensibilities and rock grit, it feels both nostalgic and fresh, kinda like finding an undiscovered mixtape from the early 2000s but with better production.
First off, the title track, En Tiedä Mitään Parempaa (which translates to “I Don’t Know Anything Better”), hits hard right outta the gate. The song kicks off with Rauno Paananen’s guitar work—crisp, melodic, and just edgy enough to keep things interesting. Then comes Markku’s voice, smooth yet raw, delivering lyrics that feel deeply personal without being pretentious. There’s a simplicity here that works wonders; it’s not trying too hard to impress you, which ironically makes it impossible to ignore. By the time Petri Koistinen’s backing vocals kick in, you’re already hooked. This track sticks because it doesn’t overstay its welcome—it’s catchy as hell, relatable af, and leaves you humming long after it ends.
Another standout is… well, honestly, there aren’t many other tracks listed for context, so we’ll roll with what we’ve got. But hey, if every track is half as good as the opener, you’re golden. What I love most about this record is how tight the band sounds together. Mikko Leinonen’s drumming lays down solid grooves while letting the melodies shine, and Rauno Paananen pulls double duty arranging and shredding on guitar. Oh yeah, shoutout to Jussi Ratilainen for nailing the cover art—it’s simple, clean, and totally fits the vibe of the music inside.
One thing worth mentioning? This isn’t some big-label extravaganza. Released under “Not On Label,” it’s clear this project was made out of pure passion rather than commercial ambition. And maybe that’s why it feels so authentic. Markku wrote the songs, produced the album, sang his heart out—you can tell he poured everything into this. No frills, no filler, just honest-to-goodness Finnish pop rock done right.
So would I recommend giving En Tiedä Mitään Parempaa a spin? Absolutely. Whether you’re into Finnish music or just looking for something different, this album has charm oozing out of every note. Sure, it might not reinvent the wheel, but sometimes all you need is a reminder that good music doesn’t have to try too hard to be great.
Random thought before I go: Did anyone else notice how much fun it is to say “Markku Hokkanen” five times fast? Try it. Seriously.
Rating: 8/10
Best enjoyed: Late-night drives, rainy days, or whenever you need a little dose of understated brilliance.
