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
Silhouette Palette
Agent Fresco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the seething sparkles numb
your shining strings brings out
those old songs of voiceless nights
tints on your yearning skin
hands moving in, hands moving in
and you dont have to speak a word
beat
skips a lot
if only for me
im the only one left in this place
youre the silhouette of my wants
and my needs, my needs, my needs
this scenery reminds me
of a lightbulb universe
who are you now?
still everything reminds me
of our lightbulb universe
who are you now?
The lyrics of Agent Fresco's song "Silhouette Palette" creates an atmosphere of intense intimacy and emotional vulnerability by depicting a scene where two lovers are physically close to each other, yet emotionally distant. The singer describes the moment of physical closeness in detail, with the person resting on their arm, as if they are trying to numb the "seething sparkles" or intense emotions they are feeling. The "shining strings" of the person's being brings back memories of "old songs of voiceless nights," which suggests a past of intense emotions and perhaps unspoken words.
The second part of the song conveys a sense of longing and confusion, as the singer is unable to fully understand or connect with their lover. The line "heard it in your heart / beat / skips a lot / if only for me" suggests that the person is hiding something or struggling with their emotions, and the singer is only able to catch glimpses of it. The refrain "you're the silhouette of my wants / and my needs, my needs, my needs" conveys a sense of longing and desperation, as if the singer is clinging to this person as their only source of emotional fulfillment. The final lines, "who are you now?" suggest that there is a disconnect between who the person used to be and who they are now, leaving the singer feeling lost and uncertain.
Overall, "Silhouette Palette" is a powerful portrayal of the complexities of emotional intimacy and the fragility of human relationships. The lyrics evoke a sense of yearning and vulnerability that is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced the confusion and pain of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep resting on my arm
Stay close to me, rely on me
the seething sparkles numb
Intense emotions have numbed my senses
your shining strings brings out
Your beauty and talent brings forth
those old songs of voiceless nights
Memories of nights spent in silence
tints on your yearning skin
Shades of desire on your skin
hands moving in, hands moving in
Intimacy and closeness as our hands move closer
and you dont have to speak a word
Your heart speaks louder than words
heard it in your heart
I feel your emotions
beat
Your heart's rhythm
skips a lot
It's beating fast and irregularly
if only for me
This is a feeling meant for me alone
im the only one left in this place
I feel alone in this world
youre the silhouette of my wants
You are the shape of my desires
and my needs, my needs, my needs
And what I require, and what I crave
this scenery reminds me
These surroundings bring back memories
of a lightbulb universe
Of a time when everything seemed bright and possible
who are you now?
I wonder who you have become
still everything reminds me
Even now, everything takes me back to
of our lightbulb universe
That time when everything was bright and full of potential
who are you now?
I still wonder who you have become
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vidyaa Prakash
Keep resting on my arm
The seething sparkles numb
Your shining strings brings out
Keep resting on my arm
The seething sparkles numb
Your shining strings brings out
Those old songs of voiceless nights
Tints on your yearning skin
Hands moving in, hands moving in
And you don't have to speak a word
Heard it in your heart
Beat
Skips a lot
If only for me
I'm the only one left in this place
You're the silhouette of my wants
And my needs, my needs, my needs
This scenery reminds me
Of a lightbulb universe
Who are you now?
Still, everything reminds me
Of our lightbulb universe
Who are you now?
Vidyaa Prakash
Love this song to pieces! Love you, Agent Fresco.
Czar 00
Sounds perfect
Lara & Maja
fantastic.song.imo.
ＤＷＥＬＬＩＮＧ ＢＥＮＥＡＴＨ
<3