If I had to choose one new Icelandic band to share with you, Seabear would most likely be the winner. Not every song on Seabear’s debut album, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, is earth shattering, but those that are make me weep with joy. The band reminds me of Low combined with a folksier, more low key version of The Boy Least Likely To.

“Libraries” is the most upbeat song on the album, and reminds me of Arcade Fire’s better music. The violin graces us with her presence on many of these tracks, and makes the songs “Hospital Bed” and “Arms” absolutely stellar. Seabear is not a very well known band yet, and I suggest you jump on the bandwagon before it takes off. I know I’ve come across a great band when I have an impossible time picking which songs to put on the blog. It’s a good indicator that if you like these samples, you should go and buy the album.

Seabear is Sindri Már Sigfússon, Gudbjörg Hlin Gudmundsdóttir (violin, vocals, harmonica), and örn (guitar, & lapsteel). They are from Reykjavik, Iceland and are on the moor music label At first, Sindri was a one man act, but when he was asked to open for The Books in Germany, Gudbjörg and örn helped out, and after having a great time performing live, they decided to, well, stay in the one man band.

From my understanding, new members just joined, so there are now seven band mates in all. Seabear still seems to stay true to their core, and only records with one microphone (except while recording the drums), which gives a lo-fi sound. Their use of only one mic may change now that there are seven members, but if not, that would make for a funny SNL skit–watching seven musicians crowd around this one microphone with each one secretly trying to move in closer so they have more presence on the album–that would be classic.

The Ghost That Carried Us Away (2007)

Seabear – Libraries

Seabear – I Sing, I Swim

Seabear – Hospital Bed

Singing Arc EP:

Seabear – Drunk Song

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