Critically praised throughout Europe, Automagic is a wondrous album that pairs Asgeirsson's intricate sound constructions with a potent rhythm section and the haunting, otherworldly vocals of Gudridur Ringsted. Her ethereal singing peppers a record that flits between ambient dream pop and slightly menacing electro-organic music with beats.
Ringsted shines brightest on a risky cover of Joy Division's beloved "Love Will Tear Us Apart," a dramatically different take on a classic that was recorded as a request from Thule Musik's owner. "He wanted to hear a chillout version with female vocals," Asgeirsson notes. "The result was very surprising, and everybody liked it, so we decided to put it alongside the other tracks we'd previously recorded for Automagic
" Elsewhere, Worm Is Green focus on creating their own memorable songs, starting in Asgeirsson's bedroom, and in one case, at his grandfather's jewelry shop, where he recorded samples of Icelandic stones rubbing together and turned them into beats. Once the original ideas are in place, the musicians craft the songs in the studio. While the band's music has dark overtones, a sense of humor comes across in songs like "The Robot Has Got The Blues," and in the quirky melodic turns of the aquatic "Walk Thru."
"We take our work seriously, but the humor is what keeps us together," says Asgeirsson.
This playfulness carries over into the band's own description of its hard to peg sound. Jonsson once told a Finnish TV interviewer, "We are like Lionel Richie. Only newer. And not with The Commodores.
" Perhaps, but a more apt comparison is to British new wave and pop, Factory and 4AD bands, even Portishead. That's all for others to ponder, though, while Worm Is Green stay trained on the future. Automagic earned them a nomination for best new act in Iceland's music awards, and the band was still gelling as the record came together. Now with a few years of experience both in the studio and on stage, the musicians are on a mission to develop their sound further. Plans include adding more vocals and touring extensively.
"We consider our live show being our greatest aspect," says Asgeirsson. "We deliver electronic music in a new way, with a live drummer, vocals, bass player and two synth maniacs. It's very chilled out and laid back, but everything is possible. We've played shows more reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails than Worm Is Green.
" Until you get a chance to see Worm Is Green live, check out Automagic, a record that aligns the band with Iceland's skewed geniuses (Bjork, Sigur Ros) and incorporates sounds that conjure up images of purple sunsets, jagged cliffs and stark landscapes. However, as Asgeirsson puts it, "We aren't really walking on glaciers on an everyday basis."
Arni Teitur Asgeirsson- Programming & Synthesizer
Bjarni Thor Hannesson- Sampler & Synthesizer
Thorsteinn Hannesson- Drums
Vilberg Hafsteinn Jonsson- Bass
Gudridur Ringsted- Vocals
Hopeful
Worm Is Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There′s a familiar glow
He draws the curtains down
And lies down on the floor
He stares at the ceiling
The walls are closing in
He knows his time is up
He′s looking for a life worth living
He's looking for love
He's looking for something real
He′s looking for love
These lyrics from Worm Is Green's song "Hopeful" depict a sense of isolation and desperation in the singer's life. The opening line, "Outside the apartment window, there's a familiar glow," suggests that the character is confined and disconnected from the outside world. The glow could symbolize the mundane and repetitive nature of their existence. As the singer draws the curtains down and lies down on the floor, it signifies their withdrawal from the outside world and a desire for escape or relief.
The following lines, "He stares at the ceiling, the walls are closing in," further amplify the feeling of being trapped and suffocated. It conveys the character's emotional distress and the overwhelming sense of confinement they experience in their current situation. The lyrics suggest that the character is aware that their time is limited, implying a sense of urgency.
The refrain, "He's looking for a life worth living, he's looking for love, he's looking for something real, he's looking for love," showcases the character's quest for meaning and connection in their life. These lyrics express their longing for a fulfilling and genuine existence, and the repeated mention of love emphasizes the significance of human connection and affection in their search.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the apartment window
Within the confines of his apartment, there is a world outside that he observes through the window.
There's a familiar glow
There is a recognized and comforting light source present.
He draws the curtains down
He lowers the curtains, concealing himself from the outside world.
And lies down on the floor
He reclines on the floor, abandoning the usual comfort of a bed.
He stares at the ceiling
His gaze becomes fixated upon the upper surface of the room.
The walls are closing in
The surrounding walls seem to be gradually reducing the space around him.
He knows his time is up
He is aware that his allotted time is coming to an end.
But he's not ready to leave
Despite the imminent closure, he is not prepared to depart.
He's looking for a life worth living
He yearns for a meaningful existence.
He's looking for love
He is searching for genuine affection and connection.
He's looking for something real
He desires an authentic experience or relationship.
He's looking for love
His quest for love persists as a central motive.
Writer(s): Arni Asgeirsson
Contributed by Madelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@smithers639
I can't wrap my head around how more people haven't heard of you. Easily my favorite band!
@wuduki
My love
@rianrispi1905
this is real account ??
@wormisgreen
yes indeed.