Kings of Convenience, if you didn't already know, is Norway's indie rock answer to Simon & Garfunkel. Eirik Glambek Boe and his compadre Erlend create a vocal blend that sounds so organically perfect that it's a little bit scary - a phenomenon on full display on their 2001 sophomoric Quiet is the New Loud. Kings of Convenience's future was a bit in doubt in the eyes of fans, however, after the release of the Quiet is the New Loud sister remix album Versus and Oye's dancey solo album Unrest and a remix album in the DJ Kicks series. One had to wonder if Oye would ever return to his folk roots, and the great news for music lovers is luckily he's returned to the fold. How Convenient. While Boe is in all actuality the lead singer of Kings of Convenience, Oye's presence, not only as half of the harmonizing uber-tandem, but his brilliance for making wonderful atmospherics is an intricate part of what makes K.O.C. so special. While Quiet is the New Loud was the perfect accompaniment to a rainy spring night, Riot On An Empty Street seems to be the perfect companion to parting clouds and rays of warming sunshine.

Pianos, cellos, and stand-up bass are tastefully added to an already near perfect chemistry of acoustic guitar work, as is the case on "Misread," and the achingly beautiful "Sorry or Please." "I'd Rather Dance With You" is a happy unexpected turn for these usually morose men, and the addition of Leslie Feist of Broken Social Scene's (Bjork meets Kate Bush) vocals on "Know-How" and the knockout "The Build-Up" are dead-on great. If you consider yourself a fan of Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, or even Will Oldham, this is unquestionably required listening.