Published July 28, 2006
Keflavík punk prima donnas Æla’s debut release is a serious sufferer of Garage Band Syndrome, an illness that manifests itself by having a lead singer that drags the rest of the band down by being lame. The rest of the album is decent enough, with roaring, yet poignantly catchy bass riffs and airtight drumming, and although the guitars aren’t terribly inspired, they don’t really need to be, either. It’s Halli Valli’s unconvincing and forcefully yelped vocals that leave one aching for more, especially in light of the fact that everything else is so tight and heartfelt. Only the primal, unbridled fury of Halli Valli’s screams on Fuglinn Í Fjörunni and Rockville/Birgið betrays any hint of the greatness Æla could achieve, once their singer gets his act together. SE
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