FINLAND must be a dull place if The Rasmus are regarded as a band shaking up the music scene.

Aside from the fine pop-rock of their latest single, In The Shadows, which combines a funky bass riff with a catchy "ah-oh, ah-oh" chorus, the rest of Dead Letters is bland. Think of a gothic-tinged Bon Jovi but without the oomph and you will be on the right lines - it is Eighties' stadium rock at its worst.

The Finnish -foursome specialise in big dramatic intros that fade into nothing, as on First Day Of My Life, Not Like The Other Girls and Funeral Song. In fact, listening to this album is like having permanent dj vu which poses the question: Why was it number one across Europe? Disappointing, considering the quality of the debut single. Don't be suckered in by the hype.

Updated: 09:02 Thursday, April 08, 2004