Cinema - Cinema (1984)

It's silly to do an introduction to an album / group you can't find any info on. Cinema was a duo which consisted of two unknowns, Risto "Rise" Horttanainen and Juhani Syrjälä. Their only album has a cover which would make you think this is cheesy mid-80's synth. Not exactly. There are synths here, but they're used in a rather conventional way and the music sticks to the basic pop/rock format.

It's the lyrics that make you raise an eyebrow or two. The opening track "Kuuhullu" (Moon Mad) really seems to have been written during a fit of moon madness, as it makes absolutely no sense. The rest of the songs are more comprehensible, but Syrjälä avoids all clichés in his lyrics and displays an original way of expressing what he wants to say. "Lue Matti lue" tells about a noble schoolboy who struggles the best he can with his homework, wanting to become something great when he grows up. His parents and teachers put a lot of pressure on him. "Diplomaatti X" is a peace-loving diplomat who's killed when a bomb explodes in the plane that carries him to another country.

I don't know if these two guys have worked with any other band. Cinema released one more single in 1986 - "Roope / Suurten lasten yö" - and then vanished.

"Cinema" was released on CD in 1994 by Suomen Markkinamittaus Oy (Finnish Market Measuring). An odd company to release a record, unless you happen to know that Horttanainen is the chief executive officer.

Risto Horttanainen - vocals
Juhani Syrjälä - synthesizer, guitar, piano

plus

Jorma Lehtola - electronic drums
Katri Aaltio - backing vocals
Paul Williams - bass on 1., 4., 6. and 7.
Juuso Nordlund - fretless bass on 3., 5., 8. and 10.
Upi Sorvali - yang-qin on 3., marimba on 5. and 9.
Salla Mertsalo - violin on 6. and 10.
Gus Isidore - guitar on 10.
T.T. Oksala - drum machine on 10.

Originally released on the Cityboy label.

Tracks:

1. Kuuhullu (Moon Mad)
2. Diplomaatti-X (Diplomat X)
3. Lue Matti lue (Read, Matti, Read)
4. Maaginen sydän (Magical Heart)
5. Casablancan yö (Night of Casablanca)
6. Burma
7. Kohti Burmaa (Towards Burma)
8. Videohäät (Video Wedding)
9. Huutoja sydämestä (Screams From the Heart)
10. Tunnelmapölyä (Mood Dust)
11. Toiseen maailmaan (Into Another World)


http://finnishrock.blogspot.com/2009/04/cinema-cinema-1984.html