Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.01.2008, Page 35

Reviews | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 01 2008 | 19
Behold is the first release from pop quartet Steini, which apparently
gets its name from the ‘romantic loser’ Steini, who sings and plays
guitar. The music is a rather unobtrusive mix of simple acoustic gui-
tar-pop, with a nostalgic glee. It is not terribly original, or engaging,
but not exactly boring either. Mostly it just falls nicely into the back-
drop to whatever else you are doing so you hardly notice it at all.
The songs Girl I Used to Know and Behold are positive highlights.
Steini (the band member) has a passable singing voice, but the ter-
rible cover design adds little value. SBB
Behold
Steini
Extreme electronica is a corner of the musical universe that often
gets little attention. The conceptual electronic band Gjöll is the duo
of Sigurður Harðarson, better known for his work with the punk
band Dys, and the grindcore band Forgarður Helvítis; and Jóhann
Eiríksson, member of the musical projects Reptilicus and Product
8. This is their second album, combining anarchistic poetry and ex-
tremely dark and moody ambience through pulsating reverbs and
heavy use of voice effects. For people interested in experimental
electronica or curious to learn more about it, this is worth check-
ing out. Everyone else is probably better off spending their money
elsewhere. SBB
With the help of Karl Olgeir, who co-wrote all the songs and lyr-
ics on the record, Regína Ósk has released her third solo album
in three years. The record is a mixed-result. First off, it could be
worse. Olgeir, who also managed all arrangements and recordings,
has made a commercial record that is solid and clean, if at times
flat. Though indulgent and uninspired, the lyrics are not deplorable
or entirely mindless. Samastað and Bítlalag are perhaps the most
successful tracks, if only because the light (very light) Latin influ-
ence sets its melody apart from the other 11 songs. Yet, despite all
the effort that was surely put in on all ends to make this shiny new
disc, it ultimately manages to be almost entirely uncharming and
unstimulating. VÞ
Benni Hemm Hemm’s latest EP release Ein í leyni, recognises the in-
finite merit of the phrase ‘short and sweet.’ Indulging instrumentally
in the simplicity he has long employed in his lyrics, Benni manages
a combination of melancholy and optimism within a strikingly lucid
record. He has perhaps taken the queue from his friend and col-
laborator Jens Lekman in this regard, even making an acoustic ver-
sion of the song Hól á hey hóla, from Kajak in which they both sing
(and whistle.) It is that song as well as Jag Tyckte Hon Sa Lönnlöv, in
which Lekman sings Maple Leaves in Swedish along with some Big
Band reinforcement and vocal support by Benni, that are especially
well arranged. Ultimately the distinct Benni Hemm Hemm sound is
only positively reinforced by the acoustic strip, allowing him to fully
revel in the simplicity that is his ultimate strength. VÞ
Ein í leyni
Benni Hemm Hemm
Einar Scheving is a respected member of the relatively small com-
munity of Icelandic jazz musicians. As a drummer, he has played
on over 100 albums, although Cycles is his first as a bandleader. For
this album, he has assembled an all-star squad of musicians to join
him with Eyþór Gunnarsson (piano), Skúli Sverrisson (bass), and
Óskar Guðjónsson (tenor sax). Although drums have been Schev-
ing’s forte, he has turned his attention more towards compositions
as his career advances, earning rave reviews for his work. This al-
bum is a fine testimony to Einar’s strong compositional abilities. He
has a deft touch for sparsity whereby each tone is given space to
breath. This is an album that rewards careful, repeated listening,
where the intricate puzzle of delicate tones unfolds with more clar-
ity each time. Skúli Sverrisson’s mastery of the bass is especially
enjoyable. SBB
The career of pop quintet Síðan Skein Sól spans twenty years. They
ruled as kings of the Icelandic pop music in the nineties, and have
a catalogue of hits that regularly grace the radio waves. Síðasta Ve-
trardag is a live recording celebrating the band’s 20th anniversary.
18 songs in all, this CD includes most of the band’s many hits, many
of them performed with alternative stripped down acoustic arrange-
ments, with different instrumentation for added effects. The results
are hit and miss. The strings definitely add to Ég stend á skýi, while
the lounge feel of Halló, ég elska þig is a step backwards. For long-
time fans of Síðan Skein Sól, this is probably a good addition to the
collection, since the 2-CD package also contains a DVD recording
of the concert, but others are probably better off picking up some of
the band’s earlier studio albums. SBB
Cycles
Einar Scheving
Síðasta vetrardag
Síðan skein sól
Not to Lead nor to Follow
Gjöll
Ef væri ég …
Regína Ósk
CD
CD
CD CD
CD CD
This exciting new multimedia exhibition tells the story from an island’s dramatic
birth from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean through its forty year history to the
current day – and beyond, glimpsing the future 120 years hence.

The exhibition explains the Government’s decision to submit an application
to UNESCO to designate Surtsey a World Heritage Site.
The Culture House - Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritage
Hverfi sgata 15, 101 Reykjavik
Telephone 545 1400 www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11am and 5pm
The admission fee grants entry to all exhibitions at the Culture House. Adults ISK 300. Senior citizens ISK 200.
Students ISK 200. Free entry for children 16 years of age or younger. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
SURTSEY – GENESIS. EXHIBITION AT THE CULTURE HOUSE