Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.07.2011, Blaðsíða 28

Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.07.2011, Blaðsíða 28
28 The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 11 — 2011 Music | Live Review Music | Reviews Lights & Music, Indeed Words Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir Photography Alisa Kalyanova Cut Copy NASA 20/7/2011 Cut Copy play NASA Outside the concert venue, face flushed pink to match his undersized varsity jacket, Berndsen looked exultant. Honestly, it was probably all the jumping—a pigmentary euphoria trig- gered by his onstage synthpop-hop and ensuing gulps of oxygen. I mean here the awkward, overstated stage presence that is as crucial to the charms of his Italo disco act as his kitsch, pó-mó wardrobe. But perhaps the blush was also tinted by pride—a well-deserved elation at having been chosen, according to a press release for the concert, by the headliners them- selves to open the show. The main act being in this case Aussie electro band Cut Copy who, after touring extensively with powerhouses such as Franz Fer- dinand and Daft Punk among others, gained international recognition with their sophomore release, ‘In Ghost Colors,’ which debuted at number one on the Australian music sales charts in 2008 before going on to sell Gold. À la the spirit of our times, Cut Copy is a band that feigns apathy while actu- ally taking what they do wholly serious- ly—which is ironic, but not in the usual hipster sense. From the moment they stepped on stage at NASA they ap- peared wholesomely professional. With an affectation of effortlessness, they spun out electric rhythms tenaciously reworked to maturity to come in at the feet, not the ear. ‘So Haunted’ kicked off the show, one of the eight singles the band would go on to play out of a set of twelve songs from their three albums. It was a Wednesday night and attendance was fair for a weekday. By ‘Blink & You’ll Miss A Revolution,’ a young man was puking beside the bar. The band mean- while looked sober and focused—their shirts soaked steadily with sweat, the set’s halfway point was flagged by the line of perspiration on Dan Whit- ford’s shirt (post-gig, the vocalist and frontman made a point of saying he showered immediately following every show.) The live set was notably more rau- cous than the highly-produced stu- dio versions of the band’s repertoire. Loud, and somewhat gritty, the live version was much more dynamic than one might have expected; it was every- thing it should have been: not simply a rehashing of the album, but a living, breathing creature of its own. Alas, when a band is good—espe- cially, when a band makes good on its promises… mainly, takes themselves seriously for the benefit of their mu- sic, rather than their ego, and appears to be enjoying themselves while do- ing it—one does not even want to do the only thing one can do for a band as an observer, which is to shower the experience with description. Rather the pen comes down, because the feet are moving. Red in the face, we find it all becomes simple again. Complicatedly effortless. Like love. Like lights. Like music. When people historicise musical genres they always look for flashpoints and influences that ‘caused’ a band or something to happen. Punk, for in- stance, wouldn't have happened were it not for the woeful state of the world at the time, apparently. Can't have decent music without some anger and pain, right? And you always get some jerk saying “well, y'know...the govern- ment sucks and the world's going to hell... at least we'll get some decent, pissed-off sounding bands now.” Well, it’s my turn to be that jerk: Given what's been going on in Iceland over the last few years, it was only a matter of time before a band like World Narcosis came along. You can tell when bands are just imitating other aggressive bands. And you can tell when bands are genuinely angry. There is an energy to the playing, to the vocals, to the feel of the songs and the lyrics. This 7” has got it. World Narcosis aren't the finished deal yet, but they have the potential to become something pretty awesome indeed, and this 7” is a great debut. If you're into grind or harsh music in general, then check it out. - CLYDE BRADFORD World Narcosis World Narcosis 7” World-Narcosis Gnarly new grind The first thing you notice about Sakt- móðigur’s first album in thirteen years is not the music. It’s the rather fetching layout design. Opening up in the shape of a cross, it shows what can only be described as a bizarre initiation ceremony to some gay S&M bear biker club (Kópavogur chapter). You see it all, cellulite and everything! The music? Well it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Playing OLD school punk (think: Vice Squad from 1982), it sounds dry, rough and ragged. Some songs do zip by (‘Formingi,’ ‘Kjöt’), but other songs really lack an explosive energy, and occasionally feel like they’re running out of steam towards the end. I was serious worried at some points (‘2007’, ‘Hey þú’) that lead singer Karl was in danger of rupturing a testicle trying to reach the high notes. ‘Guð hann myndi gráta’ is definitely old school fun, but does feel a little too old school. - BOB CLUNESS Saktmóðigur Guð hann myndi gráta saktmodigur Needs to take a rest every once in a while...
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