HLJÓMAR SG 013 (-67) ICELAND

Icelandic band formed 1963 and the earliest domestic act recording in a pop/beat style. Got a contract with UK Parlophone under the name "Thor's Hammer", releasing one EP and two singles for the label 1966, all in a garage/freakbeat mode with English vocals. This was the first of three original albums as Hljómar (eng. "sounds"). Recorded in Chapell Studios, London, but sung in Icelandic and only issued in their home country. Five of the twelve tracks are self-penned, the rest covers - including standards as "Save The Last Dance For Me", "California Dreaming" and "Love Hurts", but also odder choices like "Nowhere Man" (see lyrics below) and "Rain On The Roof". My favorites of the self-penned tracks are the eclectic "Heyrðu Mig Góða" (eng. "Listen to me my friend" - Góða has a feminine suffix, so maybe "girlfriend" ) and "Miðsumarnótt" (Midsummer night) because of its haunting organ. Albeit softer than the Thor's Hammer efforts it's a fine garage beat album with sometimes advanced vocal harmonies, competently played with lots of charm. (Random facts about the label - "SG" stands for Svavar Gests (1926-96), founder and one of the most prominent names in Icelanic entertainment. "Hljómplötur" means "gramophone record".) Reissued on vinyl 1979 (same number) and CD 1992 (SGCD 013). CD compilations "From Keflavik...With Love" (Big Beat Records CDWIKD 206) and "If You Knew: Icelandic Punk & Beat 65-67" (Ugly Pop Records UP 046) contains cuts from the band's both avatars. First LP release had label as shown here, thick vinyl and glossy flip/back sleeve with lyrics on rear. (SCÄ*) (ÖGÄ*) (CCÖ*)