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
In The Dirtiest Deep Of Hope
Agent Fresco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This won't last us for long
Keep your head down
A firm feathery fold
For one last
Hush, hush the heart
"Don't leave me anchored in the dirtiest deep of hope"
How long until the sun
Wears the doubt
Screams out horror
How long until
The warmth of his fold
Fades away
How long until
The soul spew
The lyrics to Agent Fresco's "In The Dirtiest Deep Of Hope" speak to the struggle of holding onto hope in the face of uncertainty and the fear that it may eventually fade away. The first line, "Keep your head down, this won't last us for long," acknowledges the temporary nature of the situation at hand and the need to stay grounded in reality. The repeated phrase "firm feathery fold" represents the comfort and safety that can be found in finding a dependable support system, even if it is fleeting.
The second verse introduces the concept of the "dirtiest deep of hope," which seems to represent the darkest and most uncertain depths of one's innermost desires and dreams. The line "Stretch of skin begs 'Don't leave me anchored'" suggests the fear of being abandoned or left behind in this hopeless place. The chorus questions how long it will take for doubt and horror to take over, and how long until the warmth of hope fades away completely. The final line, "How long until the soul spew," is a powerful image that suggests the overwhelming feeling of despair that can come from losing hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your head down
Stay low and avoid drawing attention to yourself
This won't last us for long
This situation is not sustainable and will come to an end soon
Keep your head down
Remain inconspicuous and avoid making any sudden movements
A firm feathery fold
A secure and comfortable place to rest
For one last
Before the end comes
Hush, hush the heart
Calm and quiet the emotions
Stretch of skin begs
The body yearns and calls out
"Don't leave me anchored in the dirtiest deep of hope"
Don't abandon me in a state of false optimism and despair
How long until the sun
How much time is left before the inevitable
Wears the doubt
The uncertainty and fear become overwhelming
Screams out horror
The realization of the impending end is met with terror
How long until
How much time is left to cling to hope
The warmth of his fold
The comfort and safety of a loved one's embrace
Fades away
Slips from one's grasp
How long until
How much time is left before all is lost
The soul spew
The inevitable outpouring of emotions and despair
Contributed by Anna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oskar
I love this. I love the sound, and ever since the release I've thought that the room sound was impeccable, now I found this and now I know why. Beautiful.
jadem30
It is amazing how this only has 3000 views, pure greatness right here
Slaman84
Absolutely beautiful
Bronwyn Kildonan
most beautiful song in the world
qwertyl
Very Anthonyish vocal. Very touching!
Sebatman
Beautiful song
Selskapur
ólýsanlega fallegt!
Gunnar Ingi Jones
ég elska litla "thank you" -ið hans arnórs þarna á 0:48
Fannylijn
2:20 olly steele