Icelandic rock band with split-duty boy/girl singers that sounds like the quirky fuzz of Sonic Youth and the dirty sludge of Queens of the Stone Age. The result is majestically refreshing and invigorating.
The band continually weaves together different elements in their music. Pretty melodies are pitted against jarring dissonance, riffs clash with tender pop, guitars and synthesizers are mixed and matched and the soft voice of female vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Lovísa creates a counterbalance to the frantic screams of singer, guitarist Helgi. If Portishead and Queens of the Stone Age had a baby that they would raise in a fucked up cult called Church of PJ Harvey from which the child would escape once it turned eighteen with its sweetheart, Mastodon, only to move into a commune with a bunch of prog bands—you would be left with a very obtuse analogy that wouldn‘t come near explaining the utter madness that is the music of Benny Crespo‘s Gang. To truly understand you must see one of their shows. And headbang. Or whatever you‘re into.
Benny Crespo’s Gang’s self-titled 2007 début was gobbled up by local rock-enthusiasts and received top marks from all who reviewed it. Their legendary live shows have consistently made new fans out of anyone who happens to be in the vicinity, and their much-hyped performances at the Iceland Airwaves and Aldrei fór ég suður festivals have earned them fans from all over the world and positive reviews in publications such as NME and Clash Magazine.
The band continually weaves together different elements in their music. Pretty melodies are pitted against jarring dissonance, riffs clash with tender pop, guitars and synthesizers are mixed and matched and the soft voice of female vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Lovísa creates a counterbalance to the frantic screams of singer, guitarist Helgi. If Portishead and Queens of the Stone Age had a baby that they would raise in a fucked up cult called Church of PJ Harvey from which the child would escape once it turned eighteen with its sweetheart, Mastodon, only to move into a commune with a bunch of prog bands—you would be left with a very obtuse analogy that wouldn‘t come near explaining the utter madness that is the music of Benny Crespo‘s Gang. To truly understand you must see one of their shows. And headbang. Or whatever you‘re into.
Benny Crespo’s Gang’s self-titled 2007 début was gobbled up by local rock-enthusiasts and received top marks from all who reviewed it. Their legendary live shows have consistently made new fans out of anyone who happens to be in the vicinity, and their much-hyped performances at the Iceland Airwaves and Aldrei fór ég suður festivals have earned them fans from all over the world and positive reviews in publications such as NME and Clash Magazine.
November 1, 2013
00:10 Hressó
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