Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.07.2008, Blaðsíða 22

22 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 08—2008
At 12:30, one and a half hours later than the concert
was advertised to begin, the first performer, Sesar
A, stepped on stage. Although Sesar A deserves
respect for his pivotal role in Icelandic hip-hop, I
understand after seeing him rap why he is called
the grandfather of Icelandic hip-hop. His rapping
was just as boring as anything my grandfather ever
said, and he could bore you to sleep. Fortunately,
unlike my grandfather, Sesar kept it brief.
When he got off the stage DJ Intro and the
boys in xxx Rottweiler got on stage and did what
they do best. Get the party going. Not growing up
in Iceland I missed Rottweiler’s golden years and
have never been especially partial to them; but
you gotta hand it to them, they can please a crowd.
Their lyrics, while not revolutionary in technique,
are all brutally honest and in your face, whether
they’re spitting rhymes about police brutality or
just having a good time. By the time they finished,
the crowd was about spent and the dance floor felt
like a being in a bathtub full of beer, sweat and
other people.
The anticipation for Looptroop Rockers
(who changed their name after the departure
of Cos.M.I.C.) was probably the only thing keep-
ing the boxed in sweaty crowd on their feet and
when they showed up the people went wild. They
rapped well, interacted with the crowd and every-
body had a great time. The only problem was the
same thing that left me so disappointed with their
latest album. I expected the good old Looptroop
that I loved and respected but this was different,
this was Looptroop Rockers. Although a name
shouldn’t mean much it seems like a lot more
changed than just Tommy leaving.
As a party it was great but as a concert it fell
slightly short thereof. The bands were fun but it
seems like the only truly active members of the
hip-hop community are the same people that were
doing it ten years ago. It’s time for a new genera-
tion to step up and bring Icelandic hip-hop to the
next level.
Icelandic Hip-hop Grows Up
the BiggeSt dreadlockS in the BuSineSS come from Sweden.
WhERE
Tunglið
WhEN
Monday, June 16
WhO
Sesar A
xxx Rottweiler
Looptroop Rockers
ThE VERDICT
It’s time for a new genera-
tion to step up and bring
Icelandic hip-hop to the
next level.
This is the first solo album by Sigurður Guðmundsson of Hjálmar and
Senuþjófarnir fame. The album is an original soundtrack to an upcom-
ing documentary called Teipið gengur. Here, Sigurður covers classic
Icelandic pop/jazz dance melodies from various artists of yore. This
is an excellent compilation, really. The performance is solid, and it
is difficult to argue with the selection of songs. This is the kind of CD
you could slip in for a romantic evening with a loved one, and you’d
already be halfway towards the goal. This might not be breaking any
new ground, but sometimes a solid delivery of classics is just what
you need. Sigurður has a nice delivery for this kind of songs, and pulls
it off without ever sounding cheesy.
Debut release from the alt-pop darlings Múgsefjun. Their sound is
built around the interaction between the accordion player and a
more regular bass, drums and guitar pop instrumentation and the oc-
casional organ. Somewhat unusual, but quite loveable all the same.
The songwriting is solid, blending influences from alt-country, jazz
and progressive rock to form well crafted pop tunes, nicely delivered
by singer Hjalti Þorkelsson. 12 songs in all, this is a solid first recording
of radio-friendly tunes from Múgsefjum, which should firmly establish
them among the forefront of the Icelandic pop scene.
Sigurður Guðmundsson og Memfismafían
Oft spurði ég mömmu
Múgsefjun
Skiptar Skoðanir
CONCERT REVIEW By oddur SturluSon — photo By gaSCD REVIEWS
reviewed By Sveinn Birkir BjÖrnSSon
reviewed By Sveinn Birkir BjÖrnSSon
BOSTON
B A R - L A U G A V E G U R 2 8 B - 2 n d f l o o r
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