Storsveit Nix Noltes - Royal Family - Divorce

Comprised of 11 Icelandic eclecticists with a fascination for music from Eastern Europe, there was little danger of Storsveit Nix Noltes churning out three-chord pop-punk. Thus The Nick Nolte Big Band, as it approximately translates, purvey some truly raucous, Balkans-rich, contemporary prog-folk. A joyous and exuberant brass section accompanied by some lively percussion and fiddles combine well with the more contemporary electric guitar. They are probably most easily compared to Gogol Bordello, alas purely due to a lack of any real widespread awareness of Eastern European music. Originally released in 2007, Fat Cat picked up on the recent remastering and bring it to a wider audience. From the rambunctious Paudusko to the brilliantly wistful Atmadga Duma Strachilu, this record presents ten vibrant and well-realised reimaginings of traditional Eastern Bloc folk pieces and might easily broaden a few minds if given half a chance. [Chris Cusack]