Icelandic Rock Rules
Jack M. Beermann | Swampscott, MA USA | 04/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hi,This CD is a great compilation of Thor's Hammer/Hljomar material from 1965-67. These guys were crazy good, inventive, interesting, with a wild big beat 60s sound. The songs on this CD range from wild Kinks style hard rockers to Beatles-esque melodic songs and nice ballads. There is also a nice booklet with a history of the band that really captures the mood of what was going on. I got into these guys working backwards from their next incarnation, the progressive band Trubrot, which made a masterpiece (Lifun) a few years later. The songs should have a familiar feel to anyone who was into music in the late 60s in the USA, except that they always manage to surprise with slight twists on the standard rock moves. And the hard driving songs, like Big Beat Country Dance and My Life are just irresistible. Check out the music on Better Days--it's hard to believe that it was written in 1966.
Enjoy!"
Thor's Hammer - 'From Keflavik,With Love' (Big Beat)
Mike Reed | USA | 03/18/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Very nice twenty track compilation,from this garage/freakbeat band that came out of Iceland.The tunes here were penned between 1965-67.Wasn't able to find out that much info about the band except that after Thor's Hammer had disbanded,the guys formed Trubrot;who apparently put out two lp's before calling it a day.Thor's Hammer repertoire had several well-wriiten rockers along with a few meaningful ballads.Tunes like "I Don't Care","Better Days","My Life" and "Show Me You Like Me" make 'From Keflavik...' more than worthy of repeated plays.Should appeal to fans of The Eyes,early Who,Kinks,Pretty Things and The Action.Do check it out."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1