Published May 4, 2007
This was selected as the most awaited album of 2007 by music critics in the Reykjavík Grapevine’s 2006 year end list. Rock band Mínus has evolved a fair bit over the years, exploding from hardcore to stadium like cock-rock. This release continues in that vain, 11 songs in all, featuring the distinctive Mínus tone. That is probably what will define this release in the future: Mínus are creating their own sound and The Great Northern Whalekill is a huge slab of heavy conrete in the foundation of that structure. But the Great Northern Whalekill does not deliver the same punch in the face that Halldór Laxness, their last album, did. It lacks uniformity and to some extent, originality. There are a few songs that stand out, Shoot the Moon and Throw Away Angel come to mind, but I was hoping for a masterpiece and got an album that does not sound very memorable. Maybe time will prove me wrong. PH
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