Megas - Loftmynd

megasWhen Megas first appeared in the early 70’s, 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", released in 1987 on the 201 year anniversary of the founding of the city, remains his masterpiece and the definitive Reykjavik album. Much as Johnny Cash documented the history of the true west on his early 60’s concept albums, Megas here writes about the history of Reykjavik, 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 like  "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 with sister Inga on backing vocals to boot.
:: Megas/Loftmynd - Skífan (Iceland).