This is emotion-soaked music projected with a stylistic confidence that earned this band the highest rating (KKKKK) from Kerrang! magazine. These four musicians are the real deal, impressive at any scale: electric or unplugged, on the stage or in the studio. And it is their studio work that is most in the news today.
In November 2010 Agent Fresco released their first full-length CD, an ambitious 17-track concept album entitled A Long Time Listening. Recognized as “an amazing album by the best rock band in the country today” (Morgunblaðið), it was immediately shortlisted for best album of the year by Icelandic music critics of both national newspapers, as well as for a Kraumur Award, and for the Nordic Music Prize, not to mention climbing to #1 on the charts of the gogoyoko music download site. And the respect of their fellow musicians is reflected in the number of front-ranking Icelandic performers who volunteered to sing back-up chorus on the title track of the album.
Plans are now underway for an upcoming tour of Europe to capitalize on the publicity the album has generated, and to strengthen the recognition they acquired from previous concert & festival appearances in England, France (ClassEu’Rock 08’), Netherlands (Eurosonic 10’) Denmark & Czechoslovakia.
Recognition was not slow in coming to this group of music students when they formed Agent Fresco back in 2008 to compete in the annual Musíktilraunir (Battle of the Bands) competition, which they swept convincingly, winning not only the grand prize, but also individual prizes for best guitarist, best drummer and best bassist. Since then they have received a Kraumur Award for their 2008 EP Lightbulb Universe, and were declared Best New Band (Bjartasta Von) at the Icelandic Music Awards in 2009.
The strength of their performances at the Iceland Airwaves music festival has brought them to the attention of international media such as KEXP radio (Seattle) and Kerrang! magazine (London), who have posted online interviews and performances of Agent Fresco on their websites. More impressive still, they have attracted the attention of filmmakers Bowen Staines and Gunnar B. Guðbjörnsson, who included considerable footage of the band in their Iceland Airwaves documentary Where´s the Snow?! which premiered at the Reykjavík International Film Festival in 2010. The band received additional international publicity as the focus of two episodes in Bowen Staines´ Don´t Panic TV web series.
Critical attention is still sharply focused on this band in 2011 with their nomination for a prestigious DV Culture Award and three nominations for the Icelandic Music Awards: Performer of the Year (Agent Fresco), Vocalist of the Year (Arnór Dan Arnarson) and Rock Album of the Year (A Long Time Listening).
But what the critics now proclaim audiences have known ever since they heard Eyes of a Cloud Catcher on the radio 3 years ago. Before it was even released, the band played this song at their first Iceland Airwaves in 2008, staring out in disbelief at a sea of swaying hands as the entire audience sang the chorus back to them, a cappella. That tribute of affection, now a ritual at every performance, caused a blogger at Airwaves 2010 to write:
"Seriously, this band is so impressive and the way the entire room sings along to their stunning Eyes Of A Cloud Catcher is a moment that'll live long in the memory of all here." (Kerrang blog, Airwaves 2010)
Agent Fresco are:
Arnór Dan Arnarson: vocals
Hrafnkell Örn Guðjónsson: drums / percussion
Vignir Rafn Hilmarsson: bass / upright bass
Þórarinn Guðnason: guitar / piano / programming
Official Website: www.agentfresco.is
A Long Time Listening
Agent Fresco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Air
Sheathing vast
Whistling past
All the coats of quaint galore
You know
I need more
Come purple dusk
Remember us
Elate the dust anew
Oh it knows I need
To bleak physique of streets
My my
Crooked friends
All descend
To an ending
Believing in me
Beneath
Stampede
The world gives in
From unholiest of heights
While I lead them with me
Believing in me
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Air
Sheathing vast
Whistling past
All the coats of quaint galore
You know
I need more
Come purple dusk
Remember us
Elate the dust anew
Oh it knows I need
Spit shine
Howls in hands
The arising phoenix
Demands through squalls
A senex
Believing
Believing in me
Goodbye
Breaching high
Leaving oceans
Now the palpitating air
At last
Believes in me
Believe in me
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
How the chime came quickly
Skylines drew lines under my eyes (It's been a lonely high)
How the chime came quickly (A long time listening)
It's been a lonely high
A long time listening
It's been a lonely high
Air
Sheathing vast
Whistling past
All the coats of quaint galore
You know
I need more
Come purple dusk
Remember us
Elate the dust anew
Oh it knows I need
The lyrics of Agent Fresco's song "A Long Time Listening" depict the singer's sense of isolation and longing for connection. The repeated refrain of "Skylines drew lines under my eyes, how the chime came quickly" emphasizes the singer's weariness and the passage of time. They feel weighed down by the urban landscapes around them, which seem to trap them in solitude. The lines "To bleak physique of streets, crooked friends all descend / To an ending, believing in me" suggest that the singer feels as if they are surrounded by people who do not fully understand them or their struggles.
The second verse's mention of the "stampede" and "unholiest of heights" suggest the singer's acknowledgement of the destructive and chaotic forces at play in the world around them. Yet, they also speak of leading others and being believed in, suggesting a desire for some kind of leadership or guidance. The lines "Spit shine howls in hands / The arising phoenix demands through squalls / A senex, believing / Believing in me" imply a sense of hope and rebirth despite the difficulties of the present.
The final lines of the song, "It's been a lonely high / A long time listening," suggest that despite any potential for resilience or hope, the singer remains trapped in a cycle of loneliness and self-doubt. The repeated "Air sheathing vast" reinforces a sense of isolation and separation from the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Skylines drew lines under my eyes
The cityscape and its busy nature has put a strain on my eyes and my mental state
How the chime came quickly
The fast paced movement of the city contrasts the brief moments of rest, represented by the chime
Air
Sheathing vast
Whistling past
All the coats of quaint galore
You know
I need more
Come purple dusk
Remember us
Elate the dust anew
Oh it knows I need
The breath of fresh air that comes with the wilderness, where the dust is cleared and there is room to breathe and grow
To bleak physique of streets
My my
Crooked friends
All descend
To an ending
Believing in me
Despite feeling trapped in the city and its bleakness, I am surrounded by friends who support me and believe in me
Beneath
Stampede
The world gives in
From unholiest of heights
While I lead them with me
Believing in me
The world and its chaos is overwhelming, but I push through and lead others with me, who believe in me and my strength
Spit shine
Howls in hands
The arising phoenix
Demands through squalls
A senex
Believing
Believing in me
I am compared to a phoenix, rising from the ashes and demanding recognition for what I am worth, with the support of wise elders who believe in me
Goodbye
Breaching high
Leaving oceans
Now the palpitating air
At last
Believes in me
Believe in me
As I move on and leave things behind, I emerge stronger and more confident, with the world finally starting to recognize my potential
It's been a lonely high
Despite my success and growth, there is still loneliness and emptiness
A long time listening
It has taken a lot of time and effort to get to this point where I am finally being heard and seen
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Magnus
Just because of the music itself this band cured my depression, not the text or anything but just the music itself. Thank you Agent Fresco, I am in your debt!
Qui Gon Flynn
Criminally good and underappreciated. As usual. Too much attention wasted on main stream music leads to real gems like this going under the radar. The industry should be ashamed of itself. Anyway, I will consume this music as much as I can whilst my middle finger is raised aimed at the ARSEHOLES of the mainstream.
the apple kingdom
I got into Agent Fresco through Destrier, and have now decided to go back and listen to their earlier stuff. While all the songs are great, this song stands out.
stri8ted
Same here. Another standout song is - Eyes of a cloud catcher
Dinna
Never liked this song because of the production, but I saw the band perform it live last week and it completely changed my mind about it!
MartinZinck
I love this band, can't wait to see them at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival
Antonio Quijano
This song was magical at Beprog! fest. The whole show was magical, though.
Reto Hofmann
Same yesterday in Winterthur/Switzerland...on a warm evening under the stars in the old town:-)
Ieva Jachimaviciute
Love this song.
mself
👍🏻🇮🇸Nice rock