Review: Architecture in Helsinki

Review: Architecture in Helsinki

Architecture in Helsinki 'Places Like This': Aidin Vaziri | If this Australian band's name isn't enough to make you turn the page, there are plenty of other reasons: glockenspiels, beards and musical power tools, to name a few. Recently slimmed down to just six members, Architecture in Helsinki is kind of like the Arcade Fire on Prozac. Kitschy rock operas and funky jam bands are the major inspirations on "Places Like This," an album that frequently finds singer Cameron Bird yelping like a moron while the rest of the musicians seemingly get acquainted with their respective instruments for the first time. You can't knock its rampant creative spirit (or generous use of wah-wah pedals), but truly affecting moments like "Heart It Races" are almost as rare as kangaroos in Finland.