Amiina - Kurr
[Ever Records]

If you have attended a Sigur Rós show over the last few years, the chances are you are already aquainted with the four Icelandic females that make up Amiina.

Acting as a support act and a crowd-pleasing backing band to their countrymen, Amiina's stage antics are a joy to behold. Using an array of colourful instruments including musical saws, wine glasses (filled with water), celestas, harmoniums, bells and harps Amiina knit a tapestry of gorgeous melodies that resembles the sounds of a giant Victorian music box.

It could be argued that Sigur Rós just couldn't do it without the Amiina girls. So the question remains, can they transfer such an exuberant live performance onto vinyl and step from the shadow of their employers?.

The answer is both Yes and No. Each of the twelve tracks on "Kurr" are achingly beautiful and full of delicate instrumentation. "Rugla" delights with its gentle guitar picking, vibraphonic melody and soft marching beat. The glacial glockenspiel work on "Seoul" only reinforces these sentiments, as does the medieval Harpsichord sounds on "
Lóri ".

But the problem lies with the running time of "Kurr". Twelve tracks following similar principles just seems a stretch too far for Amiina. The girls tend to over stay their welcome and perhaps a shorter version would have suited them better.

Having said that, if your music tastes revolve around bittersweet melodies, chiming tones and classical arrangements then you will find "Kurr" consistently enchanting. For others, though, Amiina will remain a superior proposition on stage rather than on record.

Kurr Track Listing:

01. Sogg
02. Rugla
03. Glámur
04. Seoul
05. Lúpína
06. Hilli
07. Sexfaldur
08. Kolapot
09. Saga
10. Lóri (hear the MP3)
11. Bláfeldur
12. Boga