I don't know if it helps anyone else, but I got it fixed by installing xine-ui. Don't know how and why it's related but it works so I'm happy!
-- Amarok will not start in Kubuntu Gutsy https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/149936 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kubuntu Team, which is a bug contact for amarok in ubuntu. -- kubuntu-bugs mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/kubuntu-bugs