The Eye
Encyclopedia
The Eye, was the debut album of the Iceland
ic post-punk
group KUKL. This album was released in September 1984, through Crass Records
and was recorded at Southern Studios
in January 1984. The album peaked at number 6 in the UK Independent albums chart. Though under half an hour in length, the music ranges widely - from the wild, grotesque and deconstructionist punk rock of "Assassin" and "Seagull" to the almost danceable rhythm and church-like bells of "Dismembered" and several moments of exotic, oriental-styled music which is perhaps due to the influence of band-member Björk
's supposed infatuation with the country of Japan
at this stage in her life.
The album was named after Björk’s favourite book, Story of the Eye, by Georges Bataille
(1928), a very intense story about a young French
couple involved in sexual perversions and violent behaviours.
The Eye starts with "Assassin", a powerful track loaded with several instruments including electrically powered guitars backed up by bells and pipes, with lead vocals by Einar Örn Benediktsson
and Björk whispering in the background.
"Anna" contains distinctly oriental-sounding flutes and slowly played drums throughout most of its length, which is suddenly broken by stronger layers of guitars and more rhythmic drum beats.
One of the most important songs taken from The Eye is "Dismembered", a track that could be considered as a post punk work. Here most of the guitars have been replaced by pipes and bells. The original, more guitar-oriented version of this song first appeared as the single Söngull
in 1983. The album closes with "Handa Tjolla", a percussion-practise track which sounds more than anything like a Japanese taiko
drumming ensemble.
Tony Cook was in charge of engineering and the cover art was designed by artist Dada Nana
.
KUKL were:
Rate: (Excellent).
Author: David Tibet
.
"EFFORTLESSLY DETERMINED, Kukl release an LP which trashes the ho-hum accusations of the Crass-Records-all-sound-the-same ilk. The Eye steps boldly out of the supposed confines that the Crass label is meant to impose (confines is meant to exist only in the minds of those looking for reasons to criticise), and drags the listener into a glacial world of confused emotion and shattered visions. Side one: "Assassin", high kicking and jack booting through lengthening horns and scarred surfaces, a 'rock' song being slowly demolished, ending up in screams. Reminiscent ever so slightly of "The Scream", primarily I suppose because of the howling vocals and decaying metal. The Eye easily passes beyond that as there is not a hint of contrived control or predetermined melodramatic effect. "The Spire" offers images of Holy Mother Church, with an atmosphere that contradicts the phrases lingering just behind: "I know the power/Pointing up/Raised fist/Exploding penis." And in the background, there is the shadow of menace. "On the other side of a big river/Lies her own body" ("Anna"): reminding me of "Steven" from Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare
LP, all haunting vocals that breathe a hopelessness from foreign towns. It seems pointless (patronising?) to mention that they're from Iceland, but it helps to give a pointer towards this desolate, clinging mood that informs the LP: "Dismembered/Hugging shadows/...Play with me" ('Dismembered'). An amazing record, and a swift plug too for the incredible cover by Dada Nana, and for the label. Crass Records who refresh the minds that other labels only brainwash ..."
Note: Text taken from a collection of news articles freely distributed in connection with the band’s concert at Austurbæjarbíó, Reykjavík, on the 21st of December, 1984.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
group KUKL. This album was released in September 1984, through Crass Records
Crass Records
Crass Records is an independent record label which was set up by the anarchist punk band Crass.-Overview and history:Prior to the formation of Crass, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher had published their creative works via their own Dial House based Exitstencil Press...
and was recorded at Southern Studios
Southern Studios
Southern Studios is a recording studio in the Wood Green area of London. It was founded in 1974 by John Loder, and came to be the recording studio of choice for Crass and their record label Crass Records. Southern Studios Ltd. continues to grow its label and provide label management and...
in January 1984. The album peaked at number 6 in the UK Independent albums chart. Though under half an hour in length, the music ranges widely - from the wild, grotesque and deconstructionist punk rock of "Assassin" and "Seagull" to the almost danceable rhythm and church-like bells of "Dismembered" and several moments of exotic, oriental-styled music which is perhaps due to the influence of band-member Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
's supposed infatuation with the country of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
at this stage in her life.
The album was named after Björk’s favourite book, Story of the Eye, by Georges Bataille
Georges Bataille
Georges Bataille was a French writer. His multifaceted work is linked to the domains of literature, anthropology, philosophy, economy, sociology and history of art...
(1928), a very intense story about a young French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
couple involved in sexual perversions and violent behaviours.
The Eye starts with "Assassin", a powerful track loaded with several instruments including electrically powered guitars backed up by bells and pipes, with lead vocals by Einar Örn Benediktsson
Einar Örn Benediktsson
Einar Örn Benediktsson is a popular music singer and trumpet player who has worked with Björk and The Sugarcubes. Since the 2010 elections he is a member of the city council of Reykjavík....
and Björk whispering in the background.
"Anna" contains distinctly oriental-sounding flutes and slowly played drums throughout most of its length, which is suddenly broken by stronger layers of guitars and more rhythmic drum beats.
One of the most important songs taken from The Eye is "Dismembered", a track that could be considered as a post punk work. Here most of the guitars have been replaced by pipes and bells. The original, more guitar-oriented version of this song first appeared as the single Söngull
Söngull
Söngull was the first single released by Icelandic group KUKL in September 1983, through Gramm Records.Although this was the first KUKL’s release, actually, their first album appeared a year later under the name of The Eye. On a 7" vinyl, Söngull was the Icelandic version of "Dismembered" with a...
in 1983. The album closes with "Handa Tjolla", a percussion-practise track which sounds more than anything like a Japanese taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
drumming ensemble.
Tony Cook was in charge of engineering and the cover art was designed by artist Dada Nana
N. A. Palmer
N. A. Palmer is a British musician and artist, most well known as rhythm guitarist for anarcho punk band Crass.- Crass :He joined the band in 1977 and plays on all their albums and singles...
.
KUKL were:
- Vocals: Björk GuðmundsdóttirBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
. - Vocals and trumpet: Einar Örn BenediktssonEinar Örn BenediktssonEinar Örn Benediktsson is a popular music singer and trumpet player who has worked with Björk and The Sugarcubes. Since the 2010 elections he is a member of the city council of Reykjavík....
. - Electric guitar: Guðlaugur Kristinn ÓttarssonGuðlaugur Kristinn ÓttarssonGuðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson , guitar player and engineer. He is a mathematician, an inventor, a practising polytechnic engineer, lecturer and the author of several scientific papers....
. - Bass: Birgir Mogensen.
- Keyboards: Einar Arnaldur Melax.
- Drums: Sigtryggur BaldurssonSigtryggur BaldurssonSigtryggur Baldursson is an Icelandic drummer and singer.Sigtryggur was born in Norway to Icelandic parents. He was a founding member of the Sugarcubes and has been a longtime fixture on the Icelandic punk and alternative music scene. Other bands he has played in have included Þeyr, KUKL,...
.
Track listing
| Track | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Side A | ||
| 01 | Assassin | 03:15 |
| 02 | Anna | 06:08 |
| 03 | Open The Window And Let The Spirit Fly Free | 02:35 |
| 04 | Moonbath | 02:04 |
| Side B | ||
| 01 | Dismembered | 04:29 |
| 02 | Seagull (Fuglar) | 03:02 |
| 03 | The Spire | 04:27 |
| 04 | Handa Tjolla | 01:55 |
Reviews
Sounds - September 3, 1984.Rate: (Excellent).
Author: David Tibet
David Tibet
David Tibet is a British poet and artist who founded the music group Current 93, of which he is the only full-time member. He had earlier collaborated with Psychic TV and 23 Skidoo...
.
"EFFORTLESSLY DETERMINED, Kukl release an LP which trashes the ho-hum accusations of the Crass-Records-all-sound-the-same ilk. The Eye steps boldly out of the supposed confines that the Crass label is meant to impose (confines is meant to exist only in the minds of those looking for reasons to criticise), and drags the listener into a glacial world of confused emotion and shattered visions. Side one: "Assassin", high kicking and jack booting through lengthening horns and scarred surfaces, a 'rock' song being slowly demolished, ending up in screams. Reminiscent ever so slightly of "The Scream", primarily I suppose because of the howling vocals and decaying metal. The Eye easily passes beyond that as there is not a hint of contrived control or predetermined melodramatic effect. "The Spire" offers images of Holy Mother Church, with an atmosphere that contradicts the phrases lingering just behind: "I know the power/Pointing up/Raised fist/Exploding penis." And in the background, there is the shadow of menace. "On the other side of a big river/Lies her own body" ("Anna"): reminding me of "Steven" from Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare
Welcome to My Nightmare
Welcome to My Nightmare is the eighth album by Alice Cooper, released in 1975. This was Alice Cooper's first solo album . The cover artwork was created by Drew Struzan for Pacific Eye & Ear. Rolling Stone would later rank it as one of the "Top 100 Album Covers Of All Time".Welcome to My Nightmare...
LP, all haunting vocals that breathe a hopelessness from foreign towns. It seems pointless (patronising?) to mention that they're from Iceland, but it helps to give a pointer towards this desolate, clinging mood that informs the LP: "Dismembered/Hugging shadows/...Play with me" ('Dismembered'). An amazing record, and a swift plug too for the incredible cover by Dada Nana, and for the label. Crass Records who refresh the minds that other labels only brainwash ..."
Note: Text taken from a collection of news articles freely distributed in connection with the band’s concert at Austurbæjarbíó, Reykjavík, on the 21st of December, 1984.