Song #44: Sonata Arctica - The Boy Who Wanted to be a Real Puppet (off Reckoning Night - 2004)
Based on every song I’ve posted so far, you wouldn’t think that there’s a secret prog/metal nerd hiding behind this upbeat, indiepop exterior. You’re pretty much right - I would never claim to be an expert (or even a big fan, really) of prog or metal or any of the various subgenres.
There are, of course, exceptions to everything. I love Dream Theater, and I’ve seen them in concert; I have a healthy appreciation for weird time signatures and tapping; I watch Metalocalypse and understand most-to-all of the jokes; and I don’t even need to fake my way through a conversation about Scandanavian power metal because one of my favourite groups falls into that category: Sonata Arctica.
I lose a lot of cred because I can trace all of the things on that list back to dudes or boyfriends or even my brother. They seem to be able to figure out how to market certain bands or genres to appeal to me.
Sonata Arctica were given a chance based on a mutual respect for narrative songs. The Boy Who Wanted to be a Real Puppet was the first Sonata song I heard, and it was love at first listen. Tony Kakko’s voice and accent were so new and different from the standard growl I’d grown to associate with the genre. The fact that it told a cute little macabre story was gravy at that point.
I then heard the rest of Reckoning Night, which has been described as a departure from pure power metal to a somewhat more progressive style (Keyboards! Eight minute songs! MELLOWED OUT!) Actually, I’ve found this song to be very divisive among Sonata fans. They’re either like me and appreciate the narration and the humour, or they think it’s a weak Pinocchio reference.
Sonata also are the only metal band I’ve ever heard to play outright love ballads. Many of their songs are named after women (kind of a trademark) and they do it so well.
