For me, Icelandic music has always been closely connected to Bjork, Damon Albarn, Sigur Ros and other weird/trendy electronica experimental artists. Now I have a better way to relate my fellow Nordic islanders: Dyrdin (which is pronounced "deer-thin"), a five-piece from Reykjavik.

Formed back in 1994, they formed their current line-up in 2002, after a seven year long break. This CD on Skipping Stones Records is their debut album and consists of 11 happy pop songs. According to the label, they sound like Talulah Gosh, Blondie and The Ramones, among others, and I must say that I agree with the first reference, at least when it comes to the melodies and songs. But where Talulah Gosh liked their distortion pedals, Dyrdin seem to be better off without them (with some exceptions, of course).

Instead Einar Hreidarsson's keyboard melodies set the tone for most of the songs, and I must say that they made a wise choice when they replaced their old drum machine with Tsti. Not that I don't like artificial drums. No, I love them, but in this case the "live" drums sounds better, and brings a lot more energy to the songs.

Another good thing is that they choose to write most of their often very childish lyrics in their native tongue, Icelandic, which sounds almost like Japanese on some of the songs here. But as most people in the world aren't very fluent in that language, they have included a song-by-song description in English, so that you can get a clue about what they are singing about. Thank you!

If you are a fan of bands like the Icicles, All Girl Summer Fun Band and the Maybellines, I'm sure you will be delighted to know this band!




Track Listing