Published May 4, 2007
When Megas first appeared in the 70s, he was the first artist to attempt writing intelligent lyrics in Icelandic within the context of rock music, at which he remains unsurpassed. His 1977 collaboration with Spilverkið, Á bleikum náttkjólum, has been named the best Icelandic album of all time. But for me, Loftmynd remains his masterpiece and the definitive Reykjavík album. Megas here writes about the history of Reykjavík, from the tragicomic story of professional pessimist Birkiland, to town founder Skúli fógeti and the true story murder ballad Ástarsaga (Love Story). But the best songs are those that deal with his own period; Reykjavíkurnætur, about growing up in the post war era, and Björt ljós, borgarljós, about immigration from the countryside as seen through the eyes of a drag queen. Some of these songs have been rediscovered on Magga Stína’s excellent cover album of Megas songs, but the originals remain the best. And they even boast Björk on backing vocals to boot. VG
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