With the recent release of The Sound in Europe (the U.S. release is slated for 9/07/08), I have had the opportunity to be introduced to Mar.

While the band pays homage to their Icelandic heritage on their MySpace page with the page name silenticeland, the latest offering was recorded in the U.S. after having retooled the band. Kyle Reidy has rebuilt the group, keeping the Mar sound while expanding on, and lightening it.

Included in the recording were guest appearances by Anton Patzner (violin) and Zoe Keating (cello), to add beauty and weight to the sound. There is generally a beautiful, soft, somewhat dreamlike quality to the CD.

"Icarus" is good example of the overall ensemble, and is available on their MySpace, along with much of the album. They are categorized as ambient, experimental, and alternative. I am curious to see the videos that would come from songs like these, the ending of "Lover" is a series of rapturous crescendos, and many of the songs bring to mind grand productions.

If you are in the mood to relax and reflect, maybe get a little sensuous, I definitely recommend The Sound.

This Reviewer's Rating: 4 / 5

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