Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.10.2013, Blaðsíða 31

Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.10.2013, Blaðsíða 31
REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 7—2010 | 31 Album Reviews Emilíana Torrini Steindór Andersen & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson Amiina Tookah 2013 Made for the moment Stafnbúi 2012 A masterful work by two of Iceland’s most distinguished musical forces. Listen to this; you will be glad you did. The Lighthouse Project 2013 ‘The Lighthouse Project’ shines its light through a mollifying soundscape. Emilíana Torrini’s new album ‘Tookah’ is brimming with her signature sound: quiet vocals, smooth orchestrations, subtle beats, guitar pickings, and romanticised lyrics. But it also goes in new directions that keep the album feeling current. Fans of Emilíana will be comforted by the familiar softness of songs like “Caterpillar” and “Autumn Sun.” But that familiarity seems bland when compared to a standout track like “When Fever Breaks.” At seven and a half minutes, it’s an epic half-structured, half–improv song, slowing building pressure over time. At the brink of emotions, Emilíana intones “desire is rage/ rage is desire” and “I want to kill you with my fire.” The track, although intense, could be pushed even further. Would this fever break in a live performance? The most successful tracks on ‘Tookah’ are the ones with the catchy hooks and dance beats, such as “Speed of Dark” and “Blood Red.” Emilíana recently experimented with synthesizers, and it shows. “Speed” could be a club hit; a remix would easily entice partygoers to dance. Her simple and unadorned voice is a great contrast to the processed drums and synths, resulting in Kate Bush-meets- Depeche Mode. There is a catchiness recalling Emilíana’s earlier “Jungle Drum” without the twee cuteness. In “Speed of Dark,” there is a line: “life is just a flicker in the universe.” And that, in its essence, is the album. ‘Tookah’ is a collection of cool and sensual songs made for the moment. Enjoy them now, because in the grand scheme of the universe, these songs are a flickering star. The haunting collection Stafnbúi opens like a hymn from another time. And the vibrantly beating heart of it is of another time. This collection of traditional rímur poetry and music from Steindór Andersen and Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson shakes the digital dust from the ears and snaps the listener into a world removed, vast and mysterious. These 12 recordings, vocals from Steindór and music by Hilmar, are a history lesson in the most affecting way. However, the significance and beauty of a recording like this is it does not feel like one. The arresting presence of Steindór’s voice captivates one's attention the way staring at a snowy sea does, simple but deceivingly powerful. The longer you stare, the deeper you are drawn in. Hilmar’s music is an intrinsic and intimate platform for Steindór. Its slow undulations call to mind the Icelandic landscape these poems originated from. While the words are sung in Icelandic the content is far from lost. Each piece is performed with enough emotion to deftly transcend the language barrier into an experience in of itself. With this release the bar has been raised for what to listen to and why, and the world is a bit richer for it. 'The Lighthouse Project' carries the listener through memories lost to us over time with its incredibly warm and alluring soundscapes. It tugs on the heartstrings the same way that an old cherished photo or a distant fond memory might—it's forlorn, it's beautiful and it resonates on a sentimental level. ‘The Lighthouse Project’ is appropriately named, for it was created with the idea of recapturing the sound of live performances during a 2009 summer tour that had the band performing in unusual locations, such as in the Dalatangaviti lighthouse. The instrumentals are handled astutely, delicately dancing through songs, lightly floating along impassioned melodies that gleam in an almost lullabied demeanour, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort, like nestling up beside a warm, cosy fireplace hearth in mid-January. It makes you want to close your eyes, imagine you are standing on top of one of these seaside beacons and gaze out past the shore into vast blue waters, contemplating the beauty of the world. Whether it's the gentle wail of a bow, a singing saw, the eerie whine of a theramin, the casual jaunt from an accordion or the soothing angelic hums, ‘The Lighthouse Project’ is an auditory example of connecting a physical presence to the music itself. 31 Hafnarhús Tryggvagata 17, 101 Rvk. Open 10-17 Thursdays 10-20 Kjarvalsstaðir Flókagata, 105 Rvk. Open 10-17 Ásmundarsafn Sigtún, 105 Rvk. May-Sept.: Open 10-17 Okt.-Apr.: Open 13-17 One Ticket - Three Museums Open Daily Guided tour in English available every Friday at 11am. in June, July and August at Kjarvalsstaðir www.artmuseum.is Tel: (354) 590 1200 V is it Ic el an d´ s la rg es t ne tw or k of a rt m us eu m s in t hr ee u ni qu e bu ild in gs tel. 578 8555www.gamlasmidjan.is Lækjargata 8 Opening hours: mon-thu 11:30-23 fri 11:30-06 sat 12-06 & sun 12-23 Heavenly pizzas! Home delivery See our menu at www.gamlasmidjan.is Reykjavík · Engjateigur 19 and Laugavegur 20b · Hafnarfjör!ur · Strandgata 34 · www.glo.is This is Solla Eiriksdottir, the winner of Best Gourmet Raw Chef and Best Simple Raw Chef in the 2011 and 2012 “Best of Raw” Awards. Come and try out one of her great dishes at her restaurant Gló. Words Nathan Hall Words Burke Jam Words Chris D'Alessandro Music
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