British duo Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian are part of a burgeoning movement (known, heinously, as quietcore) that sends editors of glossy-paged monthly magazines into a nostalgic froth, reminding them of their misspent youths revering Simon and Garfunkel and the Incredible String Band. Turin Brakes' 2001 debut disc, The Optimist, earned a nomination for Britain's Mercury Music Prize and sold more than 200,000 copies in the UK. Ether Song is more expansive and bold than the debut, but whether you like it will likely depend on how you feel about Knights' voice. He emotes in boldfaced caps like Thom Yorke after singing lessons or like Jeff Buckley without the genetic advantage of having had Tim as a father. For those who can appreciate Knights' wails, this is tasteful, well-crafted acoustic rock that aspires to be heard from mountaintops.
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