The third disc of this fabulous box set is the most straightforward of the lot, thus enigmatic to some prog fans on how they could downshift this dramatically -- especially with the return of keyboard great Rein Rannap to the fold. Though the music was quite a shock for some, the straightforwardness brought in a new set of fans. Incorporating some punk into its style as well, the band survived the turbulent era. But from the banning of brother band Propeller, this version of by Ruja took a noticeably more national tone. Teaming with poet Ott Arder on many of the songs, the band pushed the limits of KGB tolerance. As we know, the KGB wasn't very happy with Estonians feeling Estonian...

We begin this rock journey with "Must Ronk," very much a rockabilly song. For those people who don't know Ruja and enjoyed the first two discs, you will be positively shocked at hearing this, thinking it's a joke. No joke, folks. But it is a fun song, makes you think of the TV show "Happy Days" at times. Following this is "Leiutaja Ja Laiutaja," is much like the earlier piece, with an "Elvis" feel about it. Though for a rockabilly bit it's quite adventurous! A fabulous piano solo by Rannap shows how smooth of a player he is, and during the guitar solo by Nõgisto, you can hear bassist Tiit Haagma running a mean bass line in the back.

Continue on this trend we have "Tule Metsa," which starts out incredibly funny. It's a good folk song, very Estonian in style. Almost makes you want to pick up a beer and sing along, I promise! It picks up a bit, mixing in a rock beat to it at the end. Still makes you want to drink though! Then we have "Kes Kellega Käib," which for those familiar to the "missing" Yes album (between Tormato and Drama) it conjures up some of the album's sounds. It's a pop-rock song, with a few fun and weird twists -- an almost reggae beat, if you can believe it. The keyboard solo is fun, very much like late '70s Wakeman.

Next is "Aafrika Mehed," which to some may be a bit offensive...with the chanting opening. No malice intended, as it was during the dark days of the early 1980s under Soviet rule. Not much of a song really, with very weird layered vocals by several of the band members. Following that not-too-great piece, we have "Sa Olen Mul Teine," which is a almost ragtime-style piece with Rannap's piano at a playful run. It features lead vocals from Jaanus Nõgisto, quite rare I must say.

"Rahu" from the first full-length 1982 LP is next, a beautiful ballad, with the Estraadiorkester (Estonian Radio Orchestra) providing a beautiful backdrop to the singing. Also from the LP is "Õunulaul," and the organ work at the beginning almost brings some prog promise -- but it's a normal-ish rock song. It's a good straightforward rock song, with some fancy organ work throughout. The instrumental section in between is quite good, with a nice guitar solo by Nõgisto. I guess you can call it pop-prog. One of the best tracks from this era.

Continuing with tracks from the 1982 LP we get "Tule Minuga Sööklasse." This is back to the rockabilly stuff, though the bass line of Haagma is quite strong. Following that is "Dr. Noormann," also from the LP, which is a pretty good pop-rock song. Nothing too special with this one, typical of this era.

Then we have an unreleased track, "Suudlus Läbi Jäätunud Klaasi." This is another rockabilly bit, but at times it has its adventurous changeovers. Probably the most progressive rockabilly song I've heard -- the beat is a bit more than the usual you hear from the old 78's. Alender does sound a bit Elvis-ish on this one... Nõgisto's guitar solo has a Christmas feel to it, for some odd reason. Then it's "Igapäevane Rock," which is also in the same style -- though much more straightforward. It makes me want to watch "Happy Days" for some reason...

Breaking the monotony of this, many of the following tracks are now live from either 1981 or 1983. First up is "Inimene Õpib" live from December 1981 -- their tenth anniversary concert. This is a strong rock song, with a '80s "classic rock" sound about it. Though still, it's nothing very special. Also from the same concert is probably one of the best known songs by Ruja: "Eile Ma Nägin Eestimaad," or "Yesterday I Saw An Estonia" in English. It's a very well-known song and poem, and has incredible national sentiments -- as the new generation growing up are reminded of the lost independence of 1918-1940 -- and so few would then realise that they would soon see an Estonia again in a decade. This live version is a bit slower than the original studio version, but still has that overriding punk sound to it. Best song from this era. Drummer Jaan Karp does a fabulous job here.

Also from the same 1981 anniversary concert is Alender's tribute, "To Mr. Lennon," sung in English. It's his personal tribute to the recently-departed John Lennon, one of his biggest influences. It is a good softish song, though I think the studio version would have come out better on the vocal end. The dynamics are too sharp and the soft vocals at parts are almost inaudible. Then the last song from that concert is the hard rock "Praegu," which took on a much sharper feel from the studio version. This is very much in the punk flavour of the day.

Then the lone live track from 1983 is "Ars Longa," which featured the fabulous mixed choir Noorus. It's one of the oddest songs you'd ever hear...it's in Latin, first of all. It has the feel of haunted house or Halloween music, of all things, very macabre chords used. One of the weirdest songs even by Ruja standards...with a few choice rip-offs on piano at the end, which I'm sure you'll recognise!

Then back to the studio with "Rumal Rahutus," which has a rather adventurous rhythm. It's definitely an interesting song, with an excellent hi-hat line by Jaan Karp, as well as a little drum solo. Sadly the chorus brings the song back to earth. Strange, it does remind me of a few songs on that "missing" Yes album from 1979... How ironic that many of these studio tracks from 1982 were on the "missing" by Ruja album Roostevaba Maailm, which never happened due to circumstances...

Next song is "Tango," which is a quite strange version of what the name implies. It's pretty cool actually, though if you try this on the floor you may hurt yourself... I must say, one of my favourites on this disc, with nice drumming, guitars and keyboards. The progression is quite fun.

After the opening whistle we get "Noor Teab Mis Teab," which is a strange song where vocalist Alender goes into characters again -- with a myriad of different voices playing out the roles as "The Young Knows What to Do" in this generation battle. Following this is "Rävala Rock," the same version as that on the memorial Must Lind CD. It's the same fun rock n' roll piece of the era's flow, though the fade out at the end is a little different.

Then we get another by Ruja classic in "Rujaline Roostevaba Maailm," which was supposed to be the core of the "missing" album. It's another straightforward song, though the chorus of the song is quite catchy. The keyboard lines and solo by Rannap are similarly interesting, showing his chops. This is one of those songs that work great live, with a sing-along section. Sadly, the last time they did this was at the memorial concert in 1994 after the death of Alender. This is followed by "Mida Me Räägime Teistest," another track featured on the memorial Must Lind CD. This is a funny little hard rock song, showing the humour of the band.

Finally the CD ends appropriately on the classic "Head Ööd," or "Good Night," a classic poem by beloved national poetess Lydia Koidula. The singing of Alender has rarely been so beautiful, singing the words of the revered 19th century poetess. One of the most beautiful ballads in Estonian musical history, music and words together. Wonderful stuff to close off the CD.

Well, what can I say? Prog fans may skip over this CD after one listen, but no matter what detractors say, it's a major part of the history of the band. It helped them develop into the next phase, which is a return to progressive rock. The songs also started a generation of young people into action, thinking about the country they cannot enjoy due to the Soviet take-over several decades before. The lyrics of this period made all the difference in the world, and it played its role in sparking the "Singing Revolution" several years later. Instead of "Eile nägin ma Eestimaad" (Yesterday I saw an Estonia), because of that song and others in this era, we can say "Homme näen ma Eestimaad" (Today I see Estonia).

Mel Huang
Tallinn, Estonia
16 December 1999

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