‘Punk ei oo mikään vaihe nuoruuden, Mä tiukin sanoin kiistän kyllä sen, Se mulle on yhtä kuin elämä’ (Uskon Punkkareihin) / ‘Punk is not a phase of youth, I strongly deny that, It is the same as life for me’ (I Believe In Punks)

This is a reissue of the long sold-out debut album from Tiikeri, Punk Rock Pamaus!!!  It was first self-released in Europe by the band, who hail from Turku in Finland, back in 2023, and has since been followed up by a trio of equally well received EPs.  The band’s core inspiration is very much drawn from late 1970s’ punk, which they then laced through with more contemporary pop punk influences.

And while all of that is stylistically true, the essence of Tiikeri lies much more in the sheer energy and joy that permeates every aspect of what they do.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I suspect that some of the more whimsical elements of Tiikeri’s aesthetic might well grate in the wrong hands.  But those possible hang ups rather melt away in the face of the band’s enthusiasm and sincerity.  Punk Rock Pamaus!!! is a very personal celebration of punk and what it has brought to the individual lives of the band members, both in terms music and, just as importantly, values.

At first listen, the music itself can strike as straightforward.  Yet, this belies the band’s unerring ear for a hook and capturing a melody that you simply won’t be able to shake.  Not to mention their absolute mastery of a well-placed layered harmony and a well-judged ‘woah’.  The dexterity of their song writing whips each of these elements into a jauntily raucous ride as they sweep from the rollicking Atria Ja HK (Ei Oo OK) to the more plaintively melodic Uskon Punkkareihin.  This is a record made with the express intention of putting smiles on faces and it is an invitation that is hard to resist.