Briefly about the compilation: Õunaviks (Apple Polish) records proudly presents: here's the compilation of young Estonian troubadours, home recorders and electroaccoustic freaks called Toatuur (Backroom Trip). The spectrum of artists ranges from well known names as Allan Vainola (ex-Metro Luminal, Sõpruse Puiestee, Vennaskond), Ramo Teder (Pastacas) and Rein Fuks (Pia Fraus) and whom this is the recording debut. In between them are people from various subgenres of estonian underground - Mari Kalkun, Eero Barndõk (Barbariz), Taavi Tulev (Wochtzchée), Jaan Pehk (Caire's Birthday, Koer, Orelipoiss, Köök etc), Lauri Sommer (Kago, Liinatsuraq), Vaido Petser (Normaalne Seltskond), Eva Mitreikina (Raud-Ants, various jazz combos etc.), Roomet Jakapi (Kreatiivmootor), Erkki Hüva (Mr Good), Eneli Siirman (Sinimaniseele), Iduvigik (Plekikk Ixtûnita), Seidi Reek (Rändajad), blacksmith Tarx and Erko Niit. Improvising omnus-making jazz musician and poet Avo Tamme appears as a psychedelic grandpa of some sort. Cover booklet features details from the drawings of every artist contained in this release. What we like about these people is lyrical sincerity, technical anomalities and occasionally a weird sense of humour. In short - right spirit. Bedrooms bite back! Album is released 2006. At 2011 Õunaviks published also "Toatuur 2". // Ned Regatt, allmusic.com, 12.2006 // Estonia's musical underground is, as one might guess of a small country with a tenuous presence on the world's musical radar to start with (noted names like Arvo Pärt aside), not the most well known. But the years following the country's independence have seen an increasing number of accomplished performers appearing on the fringes, and Toatuur, a compilation from the Õunaviks label, helps to capture a range of both established and newer voices. Toatuur tends to emphasize quieter, acoustic based artists on the whole; as can be expected from any such compilation, the resultant mix ranges from enjoyable enough to honestly striking. Guitar, hammered dulcimer and other traditional instruments are often showcased, as are fine harmony vocals which definitely show the strong influence of the country's musical history. Examples include Barbariz's "Üle Kodumäe" and Pastacas' "Hommik," the latter almost feeling like a cut-up piece of folk glitch; both are standouts. Solo performers of note include Mari Kalkun, whose "Muidu Ei Saakski" and "Talvine Ohtu" showcase her sweetly cool singing in a Nick Drake vein, and the similarly voiced Erko Niit possesses a warm, rolling tone on his back to back contributions. More experimental efforts include Iduvigik's "Unenaoaeg," with gentle female vocals over a murky, echoed clattering, Tarx's quick, static-laden oddity "Sepa Hommik," and Fein Ruks & the Metallophon's "Palju Varve," where calm acoustic tones and a cappella vocals are backed by a sometimes discordant brass-led orchestration. With 23 tracks by almost as many performers, Toatuur moves briskly, each performer's contribution rarely exceeding three minutes and in many cases barely topping two, creating a feeling of swift but at times quite memorable introductions.