Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.06.2008, Qupperneq 45

2007 was a very fruitful year indeed for the Ice-
landic music. Many albums saw the light of day,
and some even received rave reviews and warm
receptions by music lovers. Iceland’s pride and
joy, Björk, kick-started the year with her album
Volta, and in her footsteps followed a string of well
received albums by well established local artists.
Last year also saw the release of a string of suc-
cessful debut albums, most notably by newcom-
ers Hjaltalín, Ólöf Arnalds and Sprengjuhöllin.
This year’s highlight is obviously Sigur Rós’
announced release of their first studio album
since 2005’s Takk. But wait, that’s not all. While we
did not expect it beforehand, we done some inves-
tigative reporting and come to the conclusion that
2008 might be just as fruitful as 2007 for Icelandic
music.
Here is your list to all the expected Icelandic
releases this summer:
Atomstation
Exile Republic (June)
Formed in 2003, Exile Republic is Atomstation’s
second LP album. The band itself has been de-
scribed as “a timeless, hard, rock’n’roll band”
which pretty much says all that needs to be said.
Bang Gang
Ghosts From the Past (just released)
3rd album from psychedelic indie-pop singer
Barði, who at times is reminiscent of Billy Corgan
(except with a heavy Icelandic accent). This band
is worth the hype.
Benni Hemm Hemm
Murta St. Calunga (June 13)
Enjoyable orchestral pop, Benni Hemm Hemm
draws on a wide array of musical genre’s so that
the result has something for everyone.
Bob Justman
Happiness and Woe
Bob Justman (Kristinn Gunnar Blöndal) A.K.A.
KGB, A.K.A. Unsound, A.K.A. Phil Stadium will re-
lease his first album (as Bob that is) sometime this
summer on Bad Taste.
B-Ruff
Rólegur í kvöld
A new Icelandic mix-tape by one of Iceland’s most
respected DJ’s.
Bubbi
Fjórir naglar (June)
Bubbi’s new album promises not to disappoint
his fans, although honestly the former-punk artist
has such a loyal fan base that he could probably
release an hour of silence and they wouldn’t be
disappointed.
Dimma
Stigmata
Dimma is an Icelandic heavy metal band that
have received quite a bit of acknowledgment from
abroad and even toured with the likes of Michael
Bruce and Dennis Dunaway. Good for Sabbath
and/or Cooper fans.
Dísa
Dísa (just released)
I was initially afraid that this would be another
Emiliana Torrini wannabe but was pleasantly
surprised that Dísa had managed to create a style
quite unique to herself. Comfortable and catchy.
Evil Madness
Demoni Paradiso
Demoni Paradiso is Evil Madness’s second album
and although it was not a huge hit “Demon Juke-
box” (or perhaps just in my mind) was great. Their
music sounds like 80’s horror-flick music if 80’s
horror-flick music had sounded this good that is.
Garðar Thór Cortes
When You Say You Love Me
Garðar Thór Cortes, the Icelandic tenor who, ac-
cording to all Icelandic media coverage of him is
becoming hugely popular abroad, can sing and
sing very well at that. If you’re into Classical/Pop
check him out.
Ghostigital featuring Finnbogi Pétursson and
Skúli Sverrisson
Aero
Not to be mistaken for another pop band hoping
to ride the “nu-rave wave”, Ghostigital is a very
fun and very good electronic band fronted by
former Sugarcubes member Einar Örn and multi-
instrumentalist Curver. These guys are some of
the O.G.’s of Icelandic electro.
Grjóthrun í Hólshreppi
Grjóthrun
Powerful acoustic rock, Grjóthrun í Hólshreppi is
the countryside’s way of reminding us that they’re
there and they’re pissed.
Hraun
Silent Treatment (June 9)
This album due to come out Monday June 9th
and is all about anger as a steppingstone between
misery and happiness. The kind of anger you feel
when you realize that the boy/girlfriend you’ve
been moping about actually sucks and didn’t ap-
preciate you. Good anger.
Kira Kira
Our Map to the Monster Olympics
Kira Kira is hard to describe, especially in the
space of approximately two lines of text so I’ll let
it suffice to say that OMMO is the band’s second
album and will probably not fit conveniently into
any one musical genre any more than their past
work.
Klive
Sweaty Psalms (just released)
Úlfur (Klive) makes a strange but enjoyable type
of electronic music. Unique without being self-
centred, Klive’s music is quickly gaining popular-
ity.
Megas og Senuþjófarnir
Á morgun
Released two albums last year, Frágangur and
Hold er Mold, to raving reviews. Only cover songs.
63 year old Megas reinvents Icelandic classics.
Merzedes Club
I Wanna Touch You
Merzedes Club’s third single will probably be as
full of musical genius as the first two. Thank you
for destroying the last vestiges of human dignity
in this world.
Múgsefjun
Skiptar skoðanir (just released)
Their first album, Skiptar skoðanir (Different
Opinions), is an alternative folk/rock album that
offers catchy melodies and lyrics as well as musi-
cal talent.
Ómar Guðjónsson
Framan af
This is guitarist Ómar Guðjónsson’s second album
and will be a purely instrumental trio project.
Sesar A
Of gott
Established hip-hop artist Sesar A has released
his third album which also features performances
by his band partners in IFS. International, salsa-
inspired hip-hop. All that remains to be seen is if
the “Grandfather” of Icelandic Hip-Hop’s new al-
bum will be greeted by the rap scene as an instant
classic or if granddad has lost his touch.
Shogun
Charm City (June/July)
What makes a good hardcore band? I have no idea.
But millions of angry young people all around the
world have seen to it that hardcore metal is here to
stay and as far as bands of that nature go Shogun
is probably one of the most true to its roots.
Sigurður Guðmundsson og Memfismafían
Oft spurði ég mömmu (just released)
Hjálmar and Senuþjófar member Sigurður releas-
es his first solo album. Entirely composed of cover
songs.
Sigur Rós
Með suð í eyrunum við spilum endalaust
(June 23)
Sigur Rós’s new LP will be their first record made
outside of Iceland and will feature a song in Eng-
lish. The overall sound of the album is more ambi-
ent and acoustic than earlier recordings.
Singapore Sling
Godman (June 20)
At first glance Singapore Sling might look like
ordinary punks, but indeed, these are no regular
punks, but rather super-punks and they’re here to
kick ass.
Sólstafir
Köld (September)
Planned for release sometime in September, Sól-
stafir’s new album, Köld, has been described by
the band as heavier and more relaxed than their
last album “Masterpiece of Bitterness”. Vintage in-
struments play an important part of the album’s
overall sound.
Ultra Mega Tecnobandið Stefán
Circus
Circus sees the Ultra Mega Technoband move
away from their techno-party-punk roots in the
direction of more concept driven, psychedelic
tunes. The band has described the album as “Sex
Pistols strangling Jean Michel Jarre with Nintendo
controllers”.
Villi Valli
Í tímans rás
78 year old Villi Valli teamed up with his grandson
Viddi (Trabant) to record his newest Jazz-swing
album. This dude might be old but that doesn’t
mean he doesn’t know how to swing.
And more:
Also in the pipeline are albums from: Dr. Spock,
FM Belfast, Hairdoctor, Jeff Who?, Kimono, Kuroi,
Lay Low, Motion Boys, Retro Stefson, Reykjavík!,
Viking Giant Show and Slugs. Titles and released
dates are still to be decided, but we know they are
coming.
Text by Oddur Sturluson
Your Guide to This Summer’s Releases
Article | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 07 2008 | B13