Tag Archive: Samaris


MUSIC I HOLLERED ABOUT IN 2013

whisperinandhollerinIn 2013 I wrote 170 reviews for the webzine Whisperin’ & Hollerin’, an average of just over 14 a month.

In terms of the total releases overall this is a drop in the ocean but for what it’s worth these were my favourite ten albums together with some honourable mentions.

There are links to my reviews of you want to know why.

TIP OF THE ICEBERG – THE BEST OF 2013

1. MUTUAL BENEFIT – Love’s Crushing Diamond

2.ÓLöF ARNALDS – Sudden Elevation

3. ANNABELLE CHVOSTEK – Rise

4. ORLA WREN – Book Of The Folded Forest

5. OLIVER COATES – Towards A Blessed Island

6. SAM AMIDON – Bright Sunny South

7. ALASDAIR ROBERTS & FRIENDS – A Working Wonder Stone

8. ADAM STAFFORD – Imaginary Walls Collapse

9. VARIOUS ARTISTS – The Outer Church

10. SAMARIS – Samaris

BUBBLING UNDER – 10 HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order)

GOING BERSERK OVER ICELAND

ICELAND, DEFROSTED by Edward Hancox (SilverWood Books, 2013)

If I was commissioning a book about Iceland, I would want something that was more than a standard check list of places to visit and things to do.

I’d want a book that told me exactly why this small duck-shaped country is so unique, stunningly beautiful and how it comes to be blessed with the knack of producing so many stunning musicians.

And lo and behold, I don’t need to commission anything because Edward Hancox has just published almost exactly the book I’ve been looking for. The book was crowdfunded through kickstarter and hit the target in just six days, as clear an indication as any that I am not the only one looking for a book on this topic. Continue reading

SWEET SAMARIS SOUNDS

This band from Iceland make me feel old.

Samaris are all still in their teens and has an album coming out via One Little Indian on July 29th.

You can download a beautifully chilled Sei A remix of the single (“Góða Tungl”)  here.

Perhaps as a nod to more mature listeners like yours truly,  the lyrics derive from 19th century Icelandic poems.  I can’t understand a word but it’s the thought that counts!

Read my review of the album at Whisperin’ & Hollerin’ here.