I'm not much for making top ten lists, and not that many indiepop albums make their way over here to little Iceland. However, one of the finest album of last year made it's way over here in the luggage of Norwegian indiepop band Professor Pez; the album Hordaland.Funny thing about Hordaland, is that all the lyrics on the album have something to do with this state in Norway, from which the band originates. They live in Bergen, smack in the middle of Hordaland, and have managed to create a splendid album with lyrics that involve the listener in their daily life and the history of their country. It's so much more than a collection of cute popsongs.
Petter Saetre, the bands singer and guitarist, was kind enough to offer me a bit of information about the four songs I post here, the first four songs of the album:
1. The Hordaland Man "...is basically about the the idea of Hordaland being a seperate state from the rest of Norway. The song is also a kind of complaint about the fact that Norwegians are too confirming, and that we need more civil unrest in this country."
2. Papillon (Escape from Ulvsnes Island) "...Is about an island called Ulvsnes Island which kind of is Hordaland's answer to Devil's Island in the book Papillon. A bit far fetched as the island in Hordland is for the nicest prisoners, but the song is about escaping it's tough prison life."
3. Laxevaag Burning, for me one of the best songs, and quite shocking when you realise the lyrics are about true events. In Petter's words: "This song is about the "accidental" bombing of a children's school in Bergen during the second world war. British bombers were supposed to bomb a bunker used for submarines, did it during schoolhours and hit a school next door instead. Laxevaag is the part of town which burned after the incident." Note how the guitars mimic air raid sirens.
4. The Place I Was Born. Not surprisingly this sweet song is about longing back to Hordaland when travelling abroad.
All in all not only have Professor Pez created a fine album of indiepop, but in the process get listeners interested in their Norwegian heritage as well. You can stream the whole album over at Last FM.
Professor Pez - The Hordaland Man
Professor Pez - Papillon
Professor Pez - Laxevaag Burning
Professor Pez - The Place I Was Born
I'll post some more favorites of 2007 soonish, including my very favorite which only arrived in the mail on December 31st.
[Professor Pez on Myspace]
[Galant Records]
[Stream album on Last FM]
[Buy this fine piece of indiepop]
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