It’s been eight years in Iceland and nine for everybody else since the release of Apparat Organ Quartet’s eponymous and lauded debut album in 2002 (of which I have fond memories – who’s borrowed it?). Already awarded a Kraumur Award as one of 2010s best Icelandic albums, this September will see the worldwide release of ‘Pólýfónía’ through Danish label Crunchy Frog, and I’m sure praise will be inevitable. At least it should be…

Who are they?
Arnar Geir Ómarsson, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hörður Bragason, Sighvatur Ómar Kristinsson and Úlfur Eldjárn plus Ben Frost on additional production on album opener ‘Babbage’ and ‘Konami’. Also artist Siggi Eggertson earned himself and the band an Icelandic Music Award for the elaborate and beautiful artwork for ‘Pólýfónía’.

How’s the album?
As much as they suck at being a quartet, as awesome they are at churning out vigorous tunes in various shades of synthrock. Jumping in with fellow Scandos K-X-P, This Is Head and MF/MB/, the five – one drummer and four on an impressive selection of analogue machinery including Russian synths, busted-up Hammond organs, vocoders, customized home organs and much more – round krautrock, but here you’ll also find tipping of hats to Jean Michel Jarre in the title track and AIR in catchy pop first single ‘Konami’, while ‘Macht Parat Den Apparat’ almost takes shape of a tribute to godfathers Kraftwerk. The melodic spoon with rocking aggression in ‘Cargo Frakt’ (including Daft Punk vocals) and superb ‘Pentatronik’, and opener ‘Babbage’ have a touch of bit-pop to it. It’s been eight or nine years depending, but it’s really been worth the wait, and I predict Apparat Organ Quartet and ‘Pólýfónía’ among the Best Of 2011. At least they will be in my book…

Check them out if you like:
K-X-P, This Is Head, MF/MB/ (keeping it Scandinavian here) and of course Kraftwerk.

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Genre: Electronica/Synthrock
Who: Apparat Organ Quartet
Album: Pólýfónía
Label: Skelt/Crunchy Frog
Year: 2010/2011
Country: Iceland
Language: English/German/Icelandic

Recommended tracks:
Babbage – Konami – Pentatronik – Macht Parat Den Apparat