Avalanche

Album review

The second album from the Glasgow-based instrumental Celtic folk supergroup comes almost exactly a year after their debut Afterlight and caps a year that saw them justly acclaimed for their immense talent and natural chemistry. The debut was dominated by high-tempo tune sets; while there were moments of calm, it seemed primarily a race to the finish designed to best show off their collective instrumental dexterity -- as well it might. On this sophomore outing, however, they've made a real effort to change things up. For a start, there's a much greater variety of tempos, with a few slow numbers, and about half the album mid-paced -- which, for these guys, is still fast, but not breakneck. Opener "Deep Blue" is a frantic set of reels that recalls the antics of Afterlight, but it’s obvious even from the start how much they've upped the ante; the band have obviously grown more comfortable with each other's playing, and it shows in the smooth interplay and stunning harmonies. The production is better, too; it has a warmer and more intimate sound than its predecessor, perhaps due to more bass in the mix, and everything is crystal clear, bringing details to the fore that were previously obscured, particularly Adam Brown's amazing bodhrán playing. "Wise" drops the tempo slightly, slipping into a shanty-ish middle section; "White Strand" is gorgeous, conjuring the titular beach with a galleon anchored in the scudding surf and shrieking seagulls wheeling overhead, while its unusual time signature makes it a delight for musos. The mournful, sustained high notes in the haunting "Setanta" sound like a banshee wandering across a misty moor. The slow air "Afar" evokes an intimate scene among sweeping highland grandeur, while "Be Thou" is a particularly mournful rendition of the tune "Slane," basis for the traditional Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision." Elsewhere, tempos remain high: the lively reels of "Rambling" have a warmth and immediacy that drop you right into the middle of an old-time session in a smoky Irish pub, and the raucous "Trip to Novi Sad" will have you jumping out of your seat. One of the instrumental highlights of the whole disc comes toward the end of "Revenge," as Amini borrows a trick he often uses to great effect in his other band Talisk, unleashing a susurrating swirl of grace notes that seem to set the whole track on edge. This is simply a fantastic album, even better than their stunning debut. Ímar's fire is blazing, and their willingness to take risks and change things up has resulted in some genuinely beautiful music.

© John D. Buchanan /TiVo