Favorite song of the week: "Snjor ljos snjor" by Benni Hemm Hemm
Download “Snjor ljos snjor” (from Kajak)
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/wK_LcNJtKI/aus=false/]
An early posting for this week’s favorite tune, and there are several reasons. Iceland’s Benni Hemm Hemm and gang (we hope at least eleven of the seventeen) will be heading to the US for the very first time, including a July 5 stop at Mercury Lounge. Icelandic, even in Sigur Ros’ gibberish installment of it, sounds extremely adorable- we can confirm this is true at least when one doesn’t understand the meaning behind these prancing syllables. The song has a really earthy feel to it, and perhaps it is the quality of Benni’s voice that matches the soft horns. The melodies are repetitious but they add to a tune both jubilant and sorrowful without being too obvious. I think Benni’s good for spring!
“Snjor ljos snjor” is from Benni’s second album Kajak, which was recorded by an ensemble of eleven musicians in four days at the same studio used by Sigur Ros. Morr Music label will put it out in the US on May 22.
Translation of the lyrics after the jump.
Snow Light Snow
Snow light snow light
light snow light snow
waves up the mountain and becomes a stone
Snow light snow light
light snow light snow
I can’t see a thing
I can’t see a thing
But I know that there is snow here
and I know that there is light here
