Icelandic band Leaves release their debut album Breathe on September 23 in America. They released Breathe late 2002 in the UK, but deserve some sort of review for this momentous occasion (okay, it's not that momentous). Upon first hearing about Leaves, the names Coldplay, Sigur Ros and Radiohead were subsequently mentioned. After hearing the album, I can say that numerous bands come to mind while listening to them. Quite honestly, I've never heard a resemblance of so many bands before in someoneŒs music. Air, Radiohead, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Simian, Doves and the list goes on, all come to mind while hearing Breathe.

The album starts off with sure-to-be-hit "I Go Down", giving you a taste of how anthemic this band can be. The song features eerie Godspeed-like riffs, with singer Arnar Gudjonsson serenading sweetly, as if his audience is a newborn baby. Arnar's voice resembles an infantile Jimi Goodwin (Doves) and Jimmy Knecco (Ours), all while keeping his voice charmingly unique. If there's one thing this band can do well, it's the use of opposites; Arnar vocally masters it and lead guitarist, Arnar Olafsson, although he's only been playing for a short while, masters it on guitar as well. "Silence" is by far my favorite on this album. Arnar really pushes his limit vocally, soaring (as cheesy as it may sound) to the top.

I must admit that when I first heard this album, I wasn't very impressed; even now, only several songs move me. It's definitely the kind of album that you need to hear in the "right" place; Hearing it in a small room on a hot and sunny day just wonšt work. The first half of the album has an inviting feel and the rest are testers--to see if youšre going to stick around or not. But you will, you have to. Some songs are so good that you're left hungry and waiting for more that are similar.

-Valerie E