Múm demonstrates their full range of Icelandic experimental (and childish) bliss. Keeps me happy for days too.

With it's bubbly airiness (#3), dream like whispers (NTTFA) and simplistic piano (#4) one could think this group has regressed. But this is a step into. The toyish tunes, grinding rhythms, "fairy culture" evoked through classic instruments applied here and there (violin, accordion, light cymbals) bring you memories of a catchy playful world: melancholic joy and tender despair. The "melange" is successfully engaged with minimalist influences and even tech warps to bring a out of the world experience. Words are conveyed often with fine
texture, lingering gravity and nostalgia of female belonging.

All of this stays coherent and will draw you into its world again and again, like riding a naive and magical but also intriguing merry go round.

I just discovered Mum, and Finally We Are No One is a favorite of mine. I feel Mum strikes a perfect balance between ambience, melody, and dynamics. If you are like me and find the "post rock" genre (Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky) cloyingly melodramatic, IDM/electronic (Aphex twin, Autechre, Plaid) too harsh or whimsical for your taste, and ambient (Brian Eno, Boards of Canada) too lacking in melody, you may still enjoy Mum.

Though the melodies are sometimes repetitive, the instrumental progression is well crafted. I also feel that the melodic repetitiveness adds to the dreamy trancelike quality of the songs. I also love the sound effects on this album. The sounds are very unique and emotionally evocative. Warm, rich, ethereal, distant, twinkly, watery, like muted echoes in a marble chamber. When I listen I picture a cave with dancing beams of light, glistening crystal formations, and pools of water.

My favorite on the album is track 3 (We Have a Map of the Piano) with its twinkling sounds, haunting bass/percussion, and intricate laced melody. I also love the mournful melody of track 7 (Now There's That Fear Again) and the sublime ambience of track 11 (The Land Between Solar Systems).

The tracks don't vary much. Needs a bit more to keep me listening to it instead of others in my collection.

iceland. sounds exotic. sounds beautiful. this is a great recording from that place. gorgeous melodies linger about the room when i play this disc. it's a perfect nighttime cd, mysterious sounding and haunting. the vocals enchant. I could never vomit listening to this music; it makes me feel too good. buy it for nights like heaven.