Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.06.2009, Síða 43

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The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 8 — 2009
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Of Course I Remember You
Ensími perform Kafbátamúsík in its entirety
Manstu ekki eftir mér (“Don't you
remember me?”) is a new concert
series that – not unlike ATP's ‘Don't
look back’ series – aims to bring
back classic albums for people to
experience in a live setting. The+
first band to partake were Ensími,
who performed their classic album
Kafbátamúsík.
Given the difficult task of being the
opening act for this much hyped show
were alternative rockers Dikta. They
seemed fully aware of the situation
and ran quickly through a few hits
that pleased the crowd and got off the
stage quickly for people to get what
they wanted.
Ensími's Kafbátamúsík is eleven
years old this year, released in ’98. The
year Sigur Rós released their eyebrow
raising remix album, Vonbrigði, and
Botnleðja released their seminal third
album Magnyl. The latter being in
my opinion the best Icelandic album
of the nineties (if not of all time). But
Kafbátamúsík is almost, if not just as,
remarkable. And both albums to me
appear pretty significant in Iceland's
rock history. As perfectly as Magnyl
expressed excitement and maybe
relief of the arriving end of the 90s,
Kafbátamúsík is its sad, vulnerable
and uncertain counterpart. Maybe I
have a bit of a biased view of those
albums, seeing as I was 14 years old
when they were released and they
both left chronic marks on my love for
and interest in music. But I do believe
that besides those points, the three
final years of the nineties made a big
change for Icelandic rock music. It
became more serious, ambitious and
daring.
In the past eleven years, Ensími
have gone through many changes,
line-up and otherwise. They've
released two more albums and gone
into hibernation for the last few years.
The line up now consists basically of
local funk-rock-metal band Dr. Spock
(whose guitarist Franz Gunnarsson
is an original member of Ensími)
backing singer Hrafn Thorodssen. To
be honest, that doesn't make much of
a difference as they are all more than
competent players and seemed to
know the material like the back of their
hands. Original keyboard player (and
current politician) Oddný Sturludóttir
even made an appearance for a few of
the songs.
There's not much to be said about
the show it self. Apart from there being
some sound difficulties, it was nearly
flawless for what it was. They played
the songs perfectly and confidently
and seemed to genuinely have fun
doing so. The venue was packed and
people loved it, the crowd´s singing
along to every single chorus just
showed how much love people have
for the album.
I really hope this concert series
will last at least a few more shows
and bring back some more gems from
Iceland's music history for us to enjoy
live for one more time. All I have left to
say is get Botnleðja to do Magnyl next.
Please.
Concert Review
Ensími
Nasa, Thursday June 11th
ensimi
There's not much to be said about
the show itself. Apart from there
being some sound difficulties, it
was nearly flawless for what it was.
They played the songs perfectly and
confidently and seemed to genuinely
have fun doing so.
ÞÓRIR GEORG JÓNSSON
HÖSkuLDuR HÖSkuLDSSON