posted by Nate on December 16, 2011
I don’t know much about Iceland; it seems worlds away. I’ve never been there and it’s certainly not a place I used to often think about. Discovering Of Monsters and Men has changed that. Of course I’ve still never been, but now I can’t keep my mind off of this six person group that sings about fantastic creatures and magical journeys. And I wonder if I might find them in some frozen fjord. The band first stole my heart with “Little Talks,”‘ a track which has taken indie radio by storm. First gaining recognition in 2010 by winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual battle of the bands, the group now has a number one single in Iceland with “Little Talks,” and an EP set to release worldwide December 20th.
The group has a sound that Rolling Stone magazine has compared to Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire, but to me, their lyrics set them apart. “From Finner,” for example, tells the story of a house on the back of a whale. There is no category for that. Of Monsters is said to use random stories as inspiration for the mythical lyrics of the music, but if the mysterious and magical aren’t for you, don’t be distressed. Like Sigur Ros, the music can compel you to sing along, even when the meaning is completely lost. I’m anxiously awaiting the debut of the band’s EP Into the Woods and the full length album My Head is an Animal, which, pre-release, is already at the top of the charts in Iceland. If you’re like me and just can’t wait, I’ve posted several videos (audio only, so far) or you can find most of their music on Youtube. Turn it up, relax, and enjoy the ride!
Want more? Of course you do. Here’s five songs from the band’s recent performance on NPR. And here’s a track to keep:
Of Monsters and Men – Six Weeks (Downloaded 655 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Catchy • Clever Lyrics • Male vocal • Orchestral
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