What makes Things of Beauty by Loituma notable?

The album helped popularize Finnish folk music beyond national borders, particularly through the viral success of its track 'Ievan polkka', which became a cultural phenomenon online years later. Its distinctive sound and style contributed to a resurgence of interest in folk music worldwide during the late 1990s. Released in 1996, Things of Beauty marked Loituma's debut album, introducing their unique sound to the global folk music scene. At this point, the band had begun to garner attention in Finland for their innovative interpretations of traditional music, setting the stage for their later successes.

How many songs are on Things of Beauty?

Things of Beauty has 10 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Things of Beauty

Loituma · 1996

47 min · 10 tracks · folk music

An enchanting blend of traditional Finnish folk melodies and contemporary arrangements that evoke both nostalgia and vibrant energy.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Eriskummainen kantele — This track showcases Loituma's ability to blend traditional kantele sounds with modern instrumentation, creating a captivating introduction to their musical style.
→
Ievan polkka — Famously associated with Internet meme culture, this lively track encapsulates the band's playful spirit while highlighting the rhythmic intricacies of Finnish folk dance.
→
Valamon kirkonkellot — With hauntingly beautiful harmonies and lyrical depth, this song represents the spiritual side of Loituma's repertoire, showcasing their vocal prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional and contemporary folk elements effectively, showcasing distinctiveness and cultural reach.

What we noticed

The album opens with a traditional Finnish kantele piece, setting a folk-centric tone that persists throughout.
Vocals are often layered in harmonies, creating a rich texture that complements the instrumental arrangements.
Several tracks feature shifts in tempo and dynamics, moving from lively dance rhythms to more contemplative melodies.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Eriskummainen kantele 3:42
2 Kultaansa ikävöivä 4:24
3 Viimesen kerran 3:12
4 Minuet and Polska 7:47
5 Kun mun kultani tulisi 5:10
6 Valamon kirkonkellot 5:35
7 Ai, ai taas sattuu 3:44
8 Suo 6:49
9 Kolme kaunista 4:17
10 Ievan polkka 2:47

What to play next

Listen next

In the Moonlight

1999

Go back to

Loituma

1995

Full Loituma discography Artists like Loituma

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata