The melodies range from the more folk-oriented to downright tragic, which is incidentally where Tenhi really excel. _Maaäet_ is a more sombre album than its predecessor _Vare_, which in my view helps _Maaäet_ surpass it and perhaps even beat Tenhi's first full-length, the superb _Kauan_. The sound has admittedly been tweaked, and there really is nothing to criticize about the mix -- which the band utilize to its full potential by really allowing each passage and melody to breathe.

On every album so far Tenhi have always included at least one truly outstanding, heartbreaking song, and _Maaäet_ is no exception. While not the album's only highlight by any means, "Sarastuskäivijä" and "Viimeiseen" simply have to be mentioned as superlative examples of the skill these Finns consistently exhibit. I could mention others just as easily though, and there is nothing quite like repeatedly listening to this album in the right environment and frame of mind to help you realize what a superb collection of songs this is. I do not expect a better album will come out in 2006 anywhere in the vicinity of Tenhi's musical style.