With little more than two acoustic guitars and a pair of vocals, Norwegians Eirik Glambek Boe and Erlend Oye have crafted one of the most unique and captivating releases in recent memory. Beginning with the beguiling, childlike melody, and cleverly placed stops of "Toxic Girl"--not to mention its patently international tale -- the Kings turn an ear for simplicity into a series of gorgeous vignettes.
Lyrically, they reveal just enough to set the scene -- but, with only a few lines of lyrics to each tune (and, as such, no "verses" or "choruses"), there's plenty left to the imagination. Musically, the guitars are never overused and there's never any superfluous strumming; in "Failure," Boe uses octaves on his nylon-stringed guitar as a bass/melody instrument, and check out the simple guitar interplay on "Days I Had With You." Like the vocal parts, each note has a very specific purpose. There's an airy and delicate matter-of-factness about "An English House" ("An English house could never be warm... single glazed windows won't keep the draft away for long") reminiscent of the Incredible String Band, but the result is far less calculated -- like the tune was performed in front of a fireplace rather than in a studio.
Finally, "Surprise Ice," on which Boe enunciates like a male Nico, is a minor-keyed Simon & Garfunkel-sounding piece with a two-line chorus (the exception) that will draw you in with its warmth. Check out this wonderfully fresh and different approach to music.
All recordings courtesy of Kindercore Records. All songs written by Kings Of Convenience; courtesy of Kings Of Convenience.
