Neufvoin: Robokop EP and Fake Musket EP

    One group, Neufvoin, and two EPs today, Robokop EP (2009) and Fake Musket EP (2010). Neufvoin is a Finnish indie rock group, more or less, formed in 2007, from Kuopio (central Finland on lake Kallavesi, the 10th largest lake out of 187,888 in Finland). Not much information on Neufvoin is out there, since they are up and coming with only these two releases to their name, some videos that are well done and professional looking; but, Neufvoin has five members and news/rumors exist of work being done on a debut album or third EP along side [quote] "Rubik people". I wonder if that means the band Rubik? That would be sweet. Critically, they have been well received in Finland, and their Record label, New Music Community keeps track of that pretty well, as you can see here.
    Musically, they sing in English, contain a little folk and a little pop influence, maybe a little post-punk or post-rock, or alternative because of their edgy guitar distortion at times, too--hard to say or pinpoint their genre. One song, "The Wooden Barrel Band" from Fake Musket EP reminds me of Mice Parade a bit and is their most folk influenced song. Overall, I think they have gone from more alternative to more post-punk from one EP to the next. But, their rhythmic drive is apparent, and solid drumming driving the pulse is the norm on most songs, with some great power chords (I mean they rock out, not that they just use power chords like a punk band) in places to really liven up and give electricity to their sound. New Music Community--or possibly self-described--uses the term variegated guitars, which I think is fitting. Melodically and harmonically, Neufvoin exhibits the quality I would expect from any non-American band, sorry guys we can mostly do better, but is not on the level of other notable Scandinavian bands, such as Sigur Rós or Rubik. Nevertheless, a good listen. And, they implement synthesizers well, which clearly front ends their melodic material.
    Check out some songs on New Music Community, here; some songs on their Facebook, here (EDIT: only "Polar Song"); the full Fake Musket EP on their MySpace, here (EDIT: Neufvoin is no more and has changed their name to NEØV, so they no longer have this album up for listening to) ; and probably my favorite track "Rat Race" from Robokop EP over on the right, under 'Monthly Sample Tracks', or here (EDIT: sorry out of luck, don't think this works anymore...working on finding places you can listen to Neufvoin). Enjoy!