Dead Letters
The Rasmus were already massive rock stars in their native Finland, as well as various other parts of Europe, by the timeDead Letterswas finally released in the U.S. in March 2004. Really, one can't help but wonder what took them so long to get here. Boasting hook-heavy guitars and anthemic lyrics, most of the tracks onDead Letterssound tailor-made for radios and stadiums, from hit single "In the Shadows" to the urgent "In My Life," which has an epic, fists-in-the-air chorus worthy of laterBon Jovi. Still, those expecting rock in the vein of theDarknesswill be disappointed by the overpolished earnestness ofDead Letters--the Rasmus's sound is more akin to a gothINXSthan any spandex-clad rock gods. A lot of that could well be down to the production, which is at times too clean and sanitized; several of these tracks would benefit from being just a bit rougher around the edges. Still, those who findH.I.Mtoo heavy orEvanescencetoo wet will probably find something to love in the Rasmus. --Robert Burrow