Published April 7, 2006
The singular, sharp and stunningly explicit and concentrated voice of Katrína Mogensen drives Mammút’s debut so that at first, were it not for the patient, buzzing unpredictability of the bass, it could be mistaken for a solo project. But, upon further listening, this quirky, awkward little trinket is revealed for what it truly is: A tight, powerful album blessed with true emotional quality and depth that belies the youth of its creators.
Only the annoyingly abstract lyrics and occasionally juvenile guitar melodies (Þorkell, Gítarlagið) detract from what is otherwise a mournful, stylish and occasionally apocalyptic album, which even comes with its own distinct trajectory and structure. Its shortness almost undermines all this, but the closing title track, a superior and pure song with a plodding drum beat that lives up to its namesake (Mammút roughly translates as mammoth), is easily haunting enough to stay with you long after the CD stops playing. Its cryptic, mesmerising and strangely resigned lyrics echoing dully as images of huge, brown-furred elephants ambling steadily through a blizzard fill the mind.
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