BURNTFIELD

Amsterdam Finns’ fleetingly enchanting debut.

it’s customary for debut albums to be shot through with the excitable energy of artists thrilled to be making their first major statement to the world. But this Helsinki-formed, Dutch-based quartet sound like they’re taking a more considered approach. That’s no bad thing in itself, but sometimes the pace starts to plod, to the point that tracks such as Sub-zero sound weary, even if sedately soaring guitar licks offer pastel shades of colour at times. In the end they just about succeed by the sheer persistence of the chorus, but it still sounds a little too much like an AOR anthem on serious downers. Likewise, anyone who likes their rock with the odd jagged edge may well find songs such as Feeling Of Love and In The Air a little gooey and soporific. Burntfield fare better when a few more contrasting dynamics are thrown into the mix to bring some strong melodies to life. The undulating waves of finger-picked guitar that underpin My Grief are pleasingly hypnotic as violin hums softly over them. Later, the extended guitar solo that leads us out of What Remains flits from twittering, excitable birdsong to synthesised shredding to histrionic angst, adding a welcome burst of energy.