Tonight @ Emo's: Architecture in Helsinki

It was while trekking around Australia earlier this year that we first heard mention of a rambunctious band from Melbourne called Architecture in Helsinki. We all but forgot about this after returning to the states, and it was only one day while browsing the new releases at Waterloo Records that we happened upon AIH's second LP, In Case We Die. Needless to say, we love these guys.

AIH is is more of a performance troupe than a band. Beyond the core eight boys and girls, they bring in a slew of musicians and singers to contribute on just about every track of their two albums, the other being 2003's Fingers Crossed. Their sound is a whimsical mix of folk, twee pop, neo-psych, and your high-school orchestra; oftentimes they sound like a bunch of band geeks who stumbled into a studio full of gear and decided to experiment. Not surprisingly, they're often compared to Canadian indie darlings The Arcade Fire or Stars.

The list of musical instruments played on their records is astonishingly extensive: so much so that the album jackets include a handy reference guide as to what instruments are used for which songs. From this we can appreciate that our favorite track off In Case We Die, the punchy yet delicate "Wishbone", features the following:

Roland SH-101, Korg Mono/Poly, Yamaha TX812, Roland Juno 106, Solina String Ensemble, Roland TR-808, Steel Drums, melodica, Vibra-Grand Vibraphone, Xylophone, Tuba, Flute, Bass Recorder, Trombone, Nylon String Guitar, 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Steel String Acoustic Guitar, Viloa, Bassoon, Theremin, Sitar, Musical Saw, Double Bass, Harmonica, Saxophone, Syntom, and - attesting to the band's avant-garde leanings - Hand and Power Tools.

From all accounts, these kids put on a great live show. Check them out for yourself tonight at Emo's, inside. Tickets are sold out at Waterloo, but you should have luck at the door.

Architecture in Helsinki
Wednesday, June 22
Emo's, Inside
Doors at 8, Show at 10