Emiliana Torrini: Icelandic Charm

A name that easily rolls off the tongue, strangely, isn't a household name....yet.

But, the daughter of an Italian restaurateur in Reykjavik has garnered hobbit-sized notice for "Gollum's Song," her soundtrack contribution to Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and for writing one of Kylie Minogue's more interesting tunes "Slow."

But, Me and Armini solidifies her talent for jazzy, confessional, confident acoustic and trip-hop songs that go from whimsically curious to even getting in the mind of criminal.

The childlike skip of "Big Jumps" puts a refreshing spring in the voice of an artist, who, like her fellow countrywoman, Bjork, never gets over-precious and continues to disarm discerning listeners.

A late entry into my list of the best albums of 2008. We'll feature it tomorrow, on New Music Tuesday.



...and and old TMD favorite from 2005's Fisherman's Woman ("Sunny Road.")