Various Artists – Made In Iceland
Iceland has been a country that has provided us with some of the world’s finest and most beautiful piece of music of the last decade. All that is just from a few acts such as Sigur Ros and Mum. But, Iceland also has a very intriguing scene developing over there. This compilation showcase that the country is a hot bed of some of the music creative and innovative artists out there.
The first band that will immediately get your attention are FM Belfast. The duo of Árni R Hlöðversson and Lóa H. Hjalmtysdottir provide the track “Lotus.” The track is this mix of European techno with a slight hip/hop vibe during the track. The track catches you off guard because the larger acts of Iceland are just the antithesis of this. This can be said for Steed Lord and their track “Who U Wit?” The track is a synth heavy pop tune and then all of a sudden that monster like vocal effort ala The Knife comes in. When hearing it with this soulful and upbeat young female vocal is so strange. Things start to slow down a bit with Olof Arnalds track “Klara.” The track is a simply gorgeous acoustic track. Olof was actually an active member of Mum as a violin and viola player. Her voice is something that will take you away. It is unlike any other folk singer out there it sounds very classical yet sounds so fresh and invigorating. Next up, we have Borko and the track “Shoo Ba Ba.” The instrumental track is a fuzzy and expansive four minutes. The track starts off in this hazy with a chant of shoo ba ba in the background but slowly it breaks out of this and develops into a powerful piece of music. Another stand-out on this compilation is Benny Crespo’s Gang and the track “12223.” Benny Crespo’s Gang manages to make post-hardcore sound fun and accessible.
For, the last few days I have been obsessing over their compilation CD. It has been a wonderful way to get to know a great new group of artists as well as a scene that does not get enough attention from us.
By John Siwicki
Various Artists – Verve Remix 4
I’m not into cover versions or remixes but I was a little intrigued as to how some of these old songs would sound. Track One – Cry me a River wasn’t bad at all not my normal couple of tea but not unpleasant.
These are old time classics and they still sound dated especially Track Two -Gimme Some. Track Six – Bim Bom was pure drivel, repetitious and boring. More of the same with Track Eight -Tea for Two, I can’t in all honestly see this album appealing to anyone under the age of seventy. The final track, I get a Kick out of you, was intriguing if only for it’s strangeness. I’m sure someone out there will buy this but I can’t see it appealing to the masses, this has to be an acquired taste.
By J. Greenwood
Various Artists – Juno: Music From The Motion Picture
Juno is a new comedy staring Ellen Page and Michael Cera(who have a duet on the sountrack). The movie only cost $2.5 million to make and has already achieved quiet a successful run. As with most “indie” films the sound is simply and amazing collection of songs. Kimya Dawson and her band Antsy pants pop up on the soundtrack a lot as well as some old classic.
If we take a look at the classic first you get the classic Kinks “A Well Respect Man” as well as The Velvet Undergrounds’ “Im Sticking With You.” The latter is a bit of a weird song but fits in perfectly with this movie. Then you have “All The Young Dudes” by Mott The Hoople, which, is probably the most common “i love this song but who sings it?” songs. Then we can’t forget to mention Sonic Youth’s fantastic cover of “Superstar.”
The Kimya Dawson solo songs are equally as fun as anything she has done with The Moldy Peachers. “Loose Lips” is one hell of a protest song that you did not see coming. Then we get the Moldy Peaches classic song “Anyone Else But You.” One of of the most distorted and weird love songs you will ever hear and its simply amazing. The crowning achievement here has to be the movies stars Ellen Page and Michael Cera coving the song “Anyone Else But You.” There is something so charming and cute about their version it gives me shivers down my spine. Just see the movie and you will understand.
The movie is a great and the music is equally as great. There are not many movies that will warrant the ticket price and the soundtrack but this one is it.
By John Siwicki
Various Artists – Ballads of the Book
Ballads of the Book is the baby of Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble. Following, Idlewild’s work with Edwin Morgan on their Remote Part album. Roddy thought this would be great for others as well. He was able to get the support of support of the Scottish Arts Council and with Chemikal Underground onboard.
Contemporary writers like Ali Smith, A L Kennedy, Louise Welsh and Ian Rankin, esteemed poets like Robin Robertson, Bill Duncan and Rody Gorman feature alongside successful writers and novelists like Michel Faber, Alan Bissett, Laura Hird, Rodge Glass, Hal Duncan and John Burnside were all brought on to work with Scotland’s finest musicians. Idlewild, James Yorkston, Norman Blake, Sons And Daughters, Karine Polwart, King Creosote, Alasdair Roberts and The Trashcan Sinatras all appear just to name a few.
The album does a feature a few very strong highlights, Sons and Daughters work with A.L Kennedy on “The War on Love Song.” The track is a very brilliantly written song and Sons and Daughters really turned in to a song you could rally around. It is full of such fiery passion. Also, Emma Pollock teams up with Louise Welsh for “Jesus On The Cross” if we disregard the subject matter it is nice to hear some new material with Emma’s vocal on it. She has always had one of the best vocals. The song that will steal everyone’s heart is Foxface and Rody Gorman. It feels like such a traditional Scottish song I feel like I should be dancing.
The record is such an ambitious piece of work and with a lineup of artist you can’t argue. The teaming up of the Scotland literary world and music world is a brilliant idea and comes out with breathtaking results.
By John Siwicki