ARTiST: Johann Johannsson
ALBUM: Englab÷rn
BiTRATE: 177kbps avg
QUALiTY: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.97 Final / -V2 --vbr-new / 44.100Khz
LABEL: 4AD Records
GENRE: Electronic
SiZE: 63.76 megs
PLAYTiME: 0h 48min 01sec total
RiP DATE: 2007-11-13
STORE DATE: 2007-11-12
Track List:
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01. Odi Et Amo 3:12
02. Englab÷rn 1:34
03. J≤i & Karen 3:24
04. ■etta Gerist ß Bestu Bµjum 1:02
05. Sßlfrµ≡ingur 3:49
06. ôEg Sleppi ■er Aldrei" 2:57
07. Sßlfrµ≡ingur Deyr 3:40
08. Ba≡ 3:07
09. ô╔g Heyr≡i Allt ┴n ■ess A≡ 2:05
Hlusta"
10. Karen B┤yr Til Engil 3:45
11. Englab÷rn - Tilbrig≡i 1:24
12. ô╔g ┴tti Grßa ╞sku" 3:41
13. Kr≤k≤dφll 2:45
14. ôEf ╔g Hef≡i Aldrei..." 3:42
15. ...Eins Og Venjulegt F≤lk 3:51
16. Odi Et Amo - Bis 4:03
Release Notes:
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Englab÷rn is actually a pretty old recording now, 5 years old in fact, but I was
sent a copy because 4AD had decided to give it a wider release than its initial
best-selling run on Iceland's Touch records. Johannsoon is something of
renaissance man in that very country, composing, producing and running his own
label. This recording, his first major piece, was originally written as the
soundtrack to a theatrical performance, but was later adapted slightly to work
as a record. It's a modern classical piece at heart, but one that is palatable
enough, and takes enough steps into electronic and ambient directions to be
appealing to people who might be into, for example, Eno, Tortoise, or the
earlier (and better) work of Sigur Ros.
It's clear to see why it's made such an impression on so many, becoming
something of a cult record to those who know it; it's very much a long piece
rather than a series of compositions; a record that rewards repeated listens and
carries the same sort of instrumental storytelling feel to it that you might get
with something like Dirty Three's Ocean Songs record. It's melancholic beauty is
quiet and yet starkly affecting, bringing out deeper sensation with each
repetition, and it's definitely made me curious enough to seek out his newer
releases (he apparently has a new record out on 4AD next spring). This reissue
is out on either the 12th or 26th November in the UK, but the press release
can't make its mind up. As it's meant to be heard (I feel) in order, here are
the first three tracks. Hopefully they'll inspire you to seek out the rest...