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Automatic Eye - Virgin Oil, Helsinki - May 7th 2010
What do teenagers listen to now? Tokio Hotel? Taylor Swift? Hannah Montana? I ask that because I really don’t know. They seem to be thrown to the wolves of 'grown-up' showbiz with its 'fast food' pop stars manufactured on American Idol and other TV-shows. Record companies and music producers turned out not to care about teens as a target audience, though young boys and girls under 20 are still the most faithful, grateful and active music fans. Plus, add to this the fact that teens are not allowed to the majority of music venues except for the clubs which arrange some special 'all-ages' days that is a great idea indeed.
The first time I saw Automatic Eye, a young Finnish pop-rock band, live was at an 'all-ages' gig, and the audience there was, of course, teenagers that made me feel either young or old – I’m not quite sure yet. What impressed me that time was the sincerity of emotions that came from the guys on the stage and resonated in Finnish teens creating that happy look at their faces. I would characterise this kind of music as healthy and constructive: the lyrics, tunes, arrangement, performance – everything factors into cheering up the listeners, helping them to feel and think positive. Besides, four handsome stylish boys on the stage can only contribute to these pleasant emotions.
Automatic Eye live in Helsinki was an even better experience. First the venue itself, Virgin Oil, appeared to be more impressive: there were two huge female sculptures on each side of the stage that introduced an element of somethingness into performance. The audience was more grown up, and I didn’t feel like Aunt Maggie. You know also, what always strikes me about Finnish audiences is that they remain emotionless-motionless at almost any music show be it a symphonic or heavy metal concert. It is very rare to see them going wild or moving at all. But this time Automatic Eye managed to make them shake and even jump. Catchy colourful songs, energetic punkish guitar parts and Pete’s and Heikki’s rock stage tricks did the magic, and the Finns woke up from their deep winter sleep.
Among the songs that they played there were hits like 'Away from Sunshine', 'Calling on Angels', 'Die, Honey, Die' from the debut album 'Don’t Let The Past Come Between You And Your Happiness' and from their latest album released in March 2010, 'Zen'. These songs and many others of Automatic Eye are purely hedonistic, full of zest, young spirit, dreams and hopes. I guess that is the secret of why you want to listen to them again and again: they are remedy from fears, worries, doubts, despair. In this review I was talking about this kind of music as one for teenagers because of the band’s style, age and genre. And I do believe Automatic Eye to be excellent music for teens. Although, I would recommend people of all ages to listen to the band and go to their gigs in order to get inspiration, good mood and to please your eyes and ears.
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