AMIINA (London Bush Hall, 25/10/07)

Sandwiched between the high-energy mayhem of LCD Soundsystem and Arcade Fire, Amiina are definitely the black sheep of this week’s gig schedule. As far removed from roof-raising anthemics and irresistible punk-funk grooves as you can possibly get, the all-female Icelandic quartet may not occupy quite the same league of brilliance as those two rabble-raisers, but what last night’s masterful performance lacked in epiphenal moments, it more than made up with sheer loveliness.

Doubling as Sigur Ros’ touring string section, Amiina occupy a similar musical space to that most magnificent act, the otherworldly beauty of Iceland reflected in both band’s melodies and arrangements. But whilst Sigur Ros specialise in stately, glacial beauty, all soft-loud dynamics and sweeping orchestral soundscapes, Amiina strike a more parochial note. Typified by an mellow, almost child-like charm, their organic timbres, heavy use of glockenspiel and rhythmic precision are more akin to Efterklang or the works of Joe Hisashi than the bombast of their parent band. Always ardent multi-instrumentalists, they’ve added even more to the mix this time round; harps, mandolins, bowed glockenspiels and accordions nestling with the requisite strings, wine glasses and most strikingly, the saw played to such great effect by the astonishingly lovely Hildur Ársælsdóttir. Sexfaldur, its strings replaced with lo-fi keyboard was wonderful, but Seoul with its gorgeous melodic bells and the aforementioned saw was the highpoint of the set, the addition of a live drummer accentuating the mood far better than an iMac could ever do.



A couple of songs went on too long, or were too aimless or understated for their own good, but they’ve become a lot better at reining things in over the last couple of years. Indeed, it’s notable how much they’ve improved as performers since I first saw them in March 2006; although they still come across like giggling teenagers performing at a school recital, they’re now more confident in their musicianship. And they’re as charming as ever, their wonderfully lilting Icelandic accents bringing a smile to everyone’s face and their utter bewilderment at someone randomly shouting “SIT DOWN YOU BASTARD!” reducing the audience into fits of giggles. Brilliant choice of venue too; the ornate, intimate environs of Bush Hall fitting their delightful pixie-music like a glove.



It’s almost a shame they’re so closely associated with Sigur Ros, as their lack of big-hitters like Glosoli or Olsen Olsen tend to cloud the fact that Amiina’s charm lies in their subtlety. They’re not into jaw-dropping epics or crafting anthems for the ages; indeed, they’re almost quaint in comparison to their better-known brethren. But on the strength of performances like this, it surely won’t be long before Amiina are recognised as a gem of an act in their own right.

(Photos: John Gleeson; SquashFish (Flickr))