Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.01.2008, Qupperneq 15

Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.01.2008, Qupperneq 15
Feature | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 01 2008 | 15 Top 10 Albums of 2007 Top 5 Album Covers of 2007 Selecting the album of the year 2007 proved to be a difficult task for the Grapevine selection committee. Opinions varied and heated arguments ensued. No two mem- bers of our committee selected the same album as the year’s best, but certain titles turned up more than others. After much debate and strenuous mathematical exer- cises, using the finest IT equipment and methods of higher order calculus, we came up with the following list. Note, a tiebreaker was required to settle the top seat. The original Grapevine review of Skátar’s The Ghost of the Bollocks to Come stated: “it is not the most ac- cessible CD the first time around, but the quirkiness grows on you.” And it does indeed. Skátar’s sound does not lend itself to easy categorisation, with a barrage of guitars, bass doodles and keyboards that seem to be heading in different directions. Once the initial strangeness wears off, what remains is one of the most interesting albums in years. A former múm vocalist, Ólöf Arnalds’ debut solo album, Við og við, has made her a whole new set of fans as a singer/ songwriter in the old-timer troubadour fashion. Ólöf’s folk seeks inspiration from the ’70s sound of Joan Baez in par- ticular, crossed with the indie flair for unconventional instrumental arrange- ments. While her unique voice lies a pitch or two above high, she croons as much as she sings to create the most endearing album of the year. Eggert Pétursson’s intricate landscape paintings are a good match with Hjal- talín’s detailed musical creations. Designed by Sigurður Oddsson, paint- ing by Eggert Pétursson Björk stays on top of the fashion game with her collaboration with the playful Bernhard Wilhelm. Designed by M/M (Paris), costume by Bernhard Wilhelm Mr. Silla’s simple and soothing design invites you to lie down on the sofa while you lisen. Designed by Mr. Silla Nut-grabbing photo and an interesting wordplay on both the political climate and a looming social epidemic. Designed by Gunnar Þór Vilhjálmsson, photo by Börkur Sigþórsson The clever format of Benni Hemm Hemm’s cover design gives you a thing to play with while the album plays. Designed by Auður Jörundsdóttir Hardcore die-hards I Adapt finally re- leased a long awaited third LP. Chain- like Burden is the band’s heaviest al- bum, full of dramatic outpour and huge, devastating riffs that stay well clear of the common hardcore emo-delution and capture the band’s tremendous live energy. The album has been com- pared with Iowans Modern Life is War, although The Hope Conspiracy might be a more fitting comparison. The most energetic record of the year by far. Theory of Machines is the third release from adopted-from-Australia-Icelander Ben Frost, put out on the Bedroom Com- munity Label. Frost is more of an audio artist than an out and out musician, fo- cusing on audio explorations, texture and ambience; filtering drone-like gui- tar churning and minimal electronica. Theory of Machines has met with criti- cal acclaim from the international mu- sic press, although Icelanders have paid little attention to his exploits. This is the year’s most experimental album. While Mugison still trudges with one foot along the alternative folk-blues path he carved on 2005’s crowd pleas- er Mugimama, Is This Monkey Music?, this album sounds heavier, darker and in general, more sweaty. With a wide variety of influences, from industrial metal to Tom Waits, Mugison might have proven himself to have the biggest balls in the business. Pop-quintet Sprengjuhöllin has put sen- timentality in the now with their debut release, Tímarnir Okkar, that adds a dash of social commentary to a youth- ful portrait of modern-day life in Ice- land. As one of our Grapevine report- ers put it in her previously-published review, “The distinct unabashed-ness at the heart of this album is, like our wasted generation, as fresh and fasci- nating as it is consequential.” We’re get- ting nostalgic already. The debut release from the Selfoss quartet Benny Crespo’s Gang has been on the verge of release for years. It proved to be worth the wait. Benny Crespo’s chaotic indie-rock delivers on all fronts. With Bassi’s powerful drum sound, the split vocal duties by Lovísa and Helgi Rúnar, Magnús’s synth over- drive, and screeching guitars, in short, this album is a slayer of men. GusGus have managed to outlive their acid & house contemporaries by far, and time has only aged them to perfection. The beats are more bit- ing and minimal than ever, the hooks more shamelessly poptastic and infec- tiously catchy and the Ecstasy just as dominant in the bloodstream as it was twelve years ago. It’s always satisfying when a band reaches the age where it becomes capable of filtering all the bullshit out of their music and sticking to what matters most. The first full-length album from Reyk- javík’s seven piece Seabear generated a low key buzz that resonated all the way to Germany where the respected label Morr Music decided to pick up the International distribution. Seabear delivers a folksy-pop sound with ar- rangements which rely heavily on xy- lophone, strings, banjo and piano to deliver a warm and beautiful sound. This is the year’s most peaceful and pleasant album. Folk legend Megas added to his re- spectable catalogue by publishing two albums this year: Frágangur, and an album of outtakes from the productive Frágangur recording session with mem- bers of the reggae band Hjálmar. As usual, Megas’ genius lies in the lyrical aspect, although his elegantly simple folk-pop melodies and raspy voice are an often overlooked side of his genius. This is an album that is likely to inspire a whole new generation of fans. 1. Skátar Ghost of the Bollocks to Come 6. Ólöf Arnalds Við og við 1. Hjaltalín Sleepdrunk Seasons 2. I Adapt Chainlike Burden 7. Ben Frost Theory of Machines 2. Björk Volta 3. Mugison Mugiboogie 8. Sprengjuhöllin Tímarnir okkar 5. Mr. Silla & Mongoose Foxbite 4. Benny Crespo’s Gang Benny Crespo’s Gang 9. GusGus Forever 3. Mínus The Great Northern Whalekill 5. Seabear The Ghost That Carried Us Away 10. Megas Hold er mold 4. Benni Hemm Hemm Ein í leyni

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