FLÍS: Vottur
There’s usually integrity to any release from 12 Tónar, Iceland’s independent record label that closely resembles America’s Nonesuch Records. The store and the local music s
BjörkMusic from Matthew Barney’s Drawing Restraint 9
With this new release, we get the dubious proposition of attempting to understand both Björk and Matthew Barney, wonder artist behind the Cremaster Cycle. What we can report is th
Nix Noltes Orkidpur Hawaii
We got an early review copy of the debut release from a favourite live band the Nix Noltes. As best we can gather, Nix Noltes deliver frenetic Balkan music that […]
Dr. Spock Dr. Phil
Explaining why he enjoys Icelandic staple Dr. Spock, who are releasing their first CD after having played live around Reykjavík for anywhere between a decade and four years, depen
Lights on the HighwaySelf-titled.
There’s a lot of layered acoustic guitar here, and a lot of layered vocals. Vocal effects and outstanding fill-heavy drumming also figure in prominently. The total of the parts s
Original Music from the film Screaming Masterpiece
Many visitors and fans of Iceland enjoy the film Screaming Masterpiece, by Ari Alexander Magnússon. The film features the best and brightest of Iceland’s “Cute Generation”,
t.A.T.u: Good Music, Sleazy Origins
Invented pop groups – bands formed by managers more concerned with marketing than talent – have been with us since the Monkees first oozed forth onto America’s airwaves. Malc
SNOOP DOGG
PIMP MY COUNTRY Despite being probably the world’s second best-known rapper (after Eminem), Snoop Dogg still saw reason to end his European tour with a quick stop in Iceland. The
Brylli Næstumþví Maðurinn
When a CD with a supple-buttocked naked man leaping in front of a mountain appears on your desk, no explanations, just a price, you don’t exactly put it in your […]
Tómas R. EinarssonLet Jazz be Bestoved on the Huts
Tómas R. Einarsson’s new CD draws its inspiration from W.H. Auden’s poetry, and draws its name from “Journey to Iceland.” Einarsson has effectively captured the euphoric a
Assorted ArtistsAcoustic Iceland
A fantastically badly-designed and badly-marketed CD, this 20-song anthology actually does contain 20 essential tracks. And the packaging, when you get around the sheer commercial
Come, Thou Divine Mistake!:
Despite its name, Verslunarmannahelgin, Merchants’ weekend, is not really like Christmas. It dates back to around 1900 as a benevolent gesture of merchants to their employees, wh
Grapevine in your pocket
The last weekend in July, Icelanders traditionally hold the largest, most brash, most country party of the year, Verslunarmannahelgi. For the last decade, the highlight of this hol
DURAN DURAN
While two young women standing in front of me scream in each other’s ear as opening band The Leaves, who present themselves as a very serious Coldplay, meander through their [&he
ANTONY
One of the radio hosts expressed his gratitude to the musician Antony for visiting this obscure island on his way to stardom. After the concert this week I have to […]
Foo Fighters
Are you still reading? Yeah, I said Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. The names alone evoke scores of mind-numbing, just witty enough to be that much more […]
RASS
When punk goes right, explaining it is a hell of a thing. Rass (ass) made up of a group of thirty-something local rockers, have produced the best punk album I’ve […]
One Man, Many Bands:
Wednesday, June 29 Brúðarbandið, Pavilion Iceland’s Brúðarbandið (Band of Brides) was the second band on the Pavilion Stage, which opened for shows on Sunday, June 26. The
Hölt Hóra
RE-Viewed. For any complaints you may have about a band named Limping Whore (Hölt Hóra), at least they’re cheap. Their shows, which are often gutty, sweaty and loud, are always
KimonoArctic Death Ship
Reykjavík has been waiting for this sophomore release from Canadian-Icelandic rockers and producers Kímono. An early release from the record, “Aftermath,” was promising, with
Schpilkas So Long Sonja
A modest effort from an extremely popular local Klezmer band, So Long Sonja is a good keepsake, but not a good album. The problem is that the songs rarely leave […]