Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.09.2008, Blaðsíða 21

The band Mammút have been in somewhat of
a coma since they won the Icelandic version of
‘Battle of the Bands’ and released their debut,
which received mixed feedback four years ago.
Vigilant radio-listeners noticed though a few
months back that their regretful coma had finally
reached an end with the immensely energetic hit
“Svefnsýkt” which made even the best bred suits
rock their heads, slightly, to the catchy melody.
After the promising single, perching at the
top of every single radio chart for weeks, the full
length, baring the clunky name “Karkari”, had
to be sweeping to fulfil the crowd’s great expec-
tations. And upon release the matriarchal band
threw a glamorous release concert in the old and
noble hall at Iðnó. I must note that actually going
to the concert wasn’t exactly a walk in the park
for we hit a few obstacles on the way. To begin
with Mammút’s promoter and publisher found it
completely unreasonable that Grapevine actually
had to send both a reporter and a photographer to
the concert and was astonished that Grapevine’s
infrastructure was so uneconomical. Finally we
got our two tickets and after such a challenging
quarrel the wisest thing you can do is of course
having a beer. But when we sat down at the bar
we hit another bump: the concert was apparently
“All-Ages” which of course prevented the sale of
everything with the slightest amount of alcohol in
it. So a bottle of Coke would have to do.
When we entered the concert hall it was
hard to miss the flamboyant decorations but at
the end of the dark room the lit stage was full of
multi-coloured balloons and other equivalent
garnishes that definitely set the mood for the co-
ming show. Soon, Mammút appeared upon the
stage and although their set didn’t last long it
was both powerful and passionate. The flatness
surrounding their previous release had disappea-
red completely and although their successful
single “Svefnsýkt” is both catchy and amusing,
it’s merely one amongst many carefully created
tunes that they presented vibrantly and their front
and lead songbird Kata proved undeniably that
she is a rising star.
Broads and Balloons
mammÚt iN Full sWiNg
WHO
Mammút
WHERE
Iðnó
WHEN
Friday, September 5
THE VERDICT
Mammút awakes of its
exhaustive coma with
dignity
CONCERT REVIEW BY SIguRðuR KJARTAn KRISTInSSon — pHoTo BY
Laugavegi 36 Tel: 551 3524 Open Mon. - Fri 7.30 - 18.15. Saturday 7.30 -17.30. Sunday 8.30-17.00.
Luxury Surprise
from Ásgeir Sandholt
Icelandic indie-folk singer Emiliana Torrini returns with her follow
up to the 2005 success, Fisherman’s Woman. While this is a little
more up-beat release, and more grounded in traditional pop rather
than folk music, Emiliana’s voice and song writing talent remains
her biggest strengh and pulls her through a rather entertaining al-
bum that should prove to be just as popular as previous releases.
The highlights are the atmospheric ‘Gun,’ which sees Torrini ex-
plore darker subjects and moods than anything since ‘Gollum’s
Song’ probably and Big Jumps, a skittish ditty that will make you
glad you are awake. Certainly well worth your time.
Few bands have caused more stir in Iceland than the teen-phenome-
non that is Ultra Mega Technoband Stefan. Since 2006, the band has
performed around the world on the strength of their live shows that
remain a circus of sorts. Now the have an album to their name, and it
pretty much confirms what I’ve always felt at their live shows, that is,
this is an energetic and lively band but their synth-driven sound soon
becomes really repetitive and monotonous and they could do with a
few more ideas in the song writing department. While Circus is not
bad, and certainly drives home the energetic point, I have a feeling
this would have worked a lot better as an EP. It would have made their
lack of new ideas seem a little less obvious.
EMiliana Torrini
Me and Armini
ÚlTra MEGa TECHnoBandið STEFán
Circus
CD REVIEWS
RevIeweD BY SveInn BIRKIR BJÖRnSSon
RevIeweD BY SveInn BIRKIR BJÖRnSSon
THE VERDICT
Upbeat and entertaining
lISTEN & BuY
www.emilianatorrini.com
THE VERDICT
Energetic but repetitious
lISTEN & BuY
myspace.com/umtbs