VINYL - VINYL

Vinyl are the biggest thing to come out of Iceland since... well, folks, to be terribly honest, when it comes to geography, history, current events, math, and overall hygiene, I am fucked. But one thing I am certain of is this band is better than anything currently on the drivel that has become American radio.
The Icelandic rockers that make up Vinyl are Kristinn Júníusson on vocals, Egill Tómasson on guitar, Arnar Snær Davíðsson on bass, Þórhallur Bergmann on keyboard, and Guðlaugur Júníusson on drums.
Vinyl’s self-titled EP opens with "Nobody’s Fool", introducing us to Kristinn Júníusson’s vocals, which combine the foreboding tonality of Urge Overkill’s National "Nash" Kato and the snarl and tenacity of the mythical Iggy Pop. The next track, "Who Gets The Blame", starts with an eerie keyboard and drum collaboration layered on top of handclaps, which is reminiscent of Queens Of The Stone Age's second album, Rated R. As the song continues, Vinyl exhibit their love for the quiet verse contrasted by the thundering chorus, soaked with aggressiveness and an overall pissed-off attitude.
The cleverly titled song "Le Ballad" is just that, a ballad with a catchy pop sensibility that weaves the tale of two forlorn lovers. This ballad just makes the next track, "Miss Iceland", taste like a gravel smoothie, all the while sounding similar to Guns N’ Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle". But, unlike the now defunct GNR, this last track demonstrates how tightly these five musicians collaborate, and how their music sounds seamless and preordained.
My verdict, you ask? Vinyl is like that candy you take from a stranger; it’s sweet and catchy with malicious overtones, due to the cocky vocal styling from Júníusson. They have a unique, tight sound that deserves to be listened to and pondered by anyone who belongs to the congregation of the Church of Rock.