Reykjavík Grapevine - 24.08.2007, Side 21

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midi-concerts.pdf 4/11/07 10:55:30 AM
The primary danger to the whales is a newcomer, an upstart animal, which
only recently, through technology, became competent in the oceans, a
creature that calls itself human. For 99.99 percent of the history of the
whales there were no humans in or on the deep oceans.
Carl Sagan – Cosmos
Whales and Tales is a selection of texts and photos by various authors,
compiled by Hörður Sigurðarson and his son Reynir Harðarson. 120 pages
in all, the project is geared to attract buyers from the increasing stream of
tourist that visit the island each summer.
As coffeetable books tend to be, this one is full of pretty pictures and
witty quotations. The collection of photos is good, showing whales in all
their girth, and in their natural habitat. It does strike me as a little odd for
a book that is made to sold to tourists in Iceland, that only a small portion
of the photos are taken in, or more accurately, around, Iceland. In fact, a
majority of the photos are taken in distant locations such as New Zealand,
Newfoundland, or the Antarctica.
From Douglas Adams to Edmund Burke to John F. Kennedy, he collection
of quotes is wide ranging and well selected, displaying how the whale ha
s been a fixture in world literature through the ages. As the introduction
states: “With brains many times the size of our own and hearts up to the
size of a small car, it is no wonder that whales still captivate us. Stories,
poems and fairy tales about whales exist in all languages, from all times.”
Again, the shortage of quotes from Icelandic literature strikes me as a little
odd. Surely, there have been Icelandic writers, other than Björk and Snorri
Sturluson who have written about this animal.
There is a great quote from Gabriel Garcia Marquez quote that is a
personal favorite: “Fiction was invented the day Jonas arrived home and
told his wife that he was three days late because he had been swallowed
by a whale.”
Whales and Tales is published by Father/Son Books
The Whale in All its Glory
Text by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson
Empire fall is the first solo release of Elíza M. Geirsdóttir, a vet-
eran of the Icelandic music scene. At 16, she established the
all-female critical favorites, Kolrassa Krókríðandi, later known
as Bellatrix, a band that went on to win Músíktilraunir, a com-
petition for young Icelandic bands that has launched many
Icelandic artists. This production is distinguished by simple,
low-key song writing, but there is still a hint of the quirky old
and comforting Bellatrix sound in the background. Eliza is a
wonderful singer, as she has established before with the op-
era metal band Skandinavia, and her vocals work beautifully
with the interesting arrangements where percussion instru-
ments often play a large role, while Elíza plays violin, piano
and glockenspiel. The title song is a strong opener that grabs
the listener’s attention, but a personal favorite is the little
gem Diamond. This is definitely worth checking out. SBB
Elíza
Empire Fall
How do you make it through a recording session singing
something like, “Wherever you lead me/ My heart will fol-
low/ You own a piece of my soul,” without wanting to shoot
yourself in the face? I can’t even begin to recount all the
questions I have about this record. The song “Why”, for ex-
ample, is just a big gaping question mark for me at the mo-
ment, as are the lyrics: “Why has it been (“bin,” as it is writ-
ten in the insert) so hard to forget you/ It hasn’t been (“bin”)
the easiest thing./ But I’ll get over you!” This is the kind of
soppy pop shit I mistakenly found tragically romantic when
I was twelve. Actually this is worse. This is the kind of thing
that ruins people’s lives. Keep this far away from your pre-
teen unless you want her to end up like that sobbing prom
queen on the front cover. VÞ
Myst
Take Me With You
Reviewed by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson and Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir
Minä rakastan sinua is Finnish for I love you. Somehow, that
seems important. This collection of respected musicians has
convened to play covers by famous musicians on special oc-
casions since 2002, but Elvis is their first release, released on
the 30-year anniversary of the King’s death, August 16. This
is a collection of 14 Elvis songs, featuring hits like Love Me
Tender and Viva Las Vegas, as well as lesser-known songs
such as Old Shep. Arranged in a typical 4/4 dance-rockabilly
fashion, the kicker is the raspy voice of singer/poet/actress
Didda, who sounds as if she has gulped down precisely the
right amount of whisky to offer something fresh with songs
that have in most cases been reproduced so often that it is
difficult to do. Like the band, this CD will probably be saved
for special occasions only. SBB
Minä Rakastan Sinua
Elvis
Líkn is the brainchild of Hallvarður Ásgeirsson, known to
many as Varði from films such as Varði Goes Europe and
Varði Goes on Tour and as a guitar player for the acclaimed
Stórsveit Nix Noltes. This is a very serious attempt at emo-
tional experimental post rock, with an industrial feel, but
mostly this just sounds dragged out and uninspired. Most of
the songs sound like they are intended for live performances
rather than an album, and perhaps this becomes more in-
teresting in a setting where you can watch the guitar player
drag out his notes and the singer make emotional faces to
match his emotional delivery. But in the plainest terms, this
CD completely failed to make an impression on me. SBB
Líkn
Líkn
Seeing as Iceland’s funk scene isn’t exactly prolific at the mo-
ment, Jagúar and its fourth effort, Shake It Good, have defi-
nite creative appeal. A few overt but clean sexual references,
some repetitive chord vamps on an electric bass, and a team
of enthusiastic trumpets; the “funk” recipe is delivered nice-
ly here. Yet for me the record comes down to two songs:
Disco Diva takes the prize for the refreshingly, if comically,
un-congested line, “Before we knew it we were kissing, talk-
ing dirty with our tongues,” and Youth Faded for having the
nerve to swerve funk into indie-rock territory. It is definitely
Jagúar’s improvisation on the aforementioned recipe that is
this record’s freshest and tastiest bite. VÞ
Jagúar
Shake It Good
I can’t say that I’m not a little bit creeped out by this album. A
lot creeped out, actually. Maybe it’s the intense stare on the
mug-shot passport photos on the front cover, or maybe it’s
the scratchy vocals awkwardly breathed over even stranger
almost surf-pop guitar arrangements, but I can’t help but
picture myself being followed down a dark alley by a creepy
old man when I listen to this. Maybe I’m being too rough
here, but I just feel awkward listening to this. I can’t say any
more. VÞ
Hjörtur Geirsson
The Flow
Adventure
every day
Situated in the Central Bank´s main building in Kalkofnsvegur 1, Reykjavík.
Open Mon.-Fri. 13:30-15:30. Free admittance.
Numismatic Museum