Classic Icelandic Albums (CIA) # 14: "æ" by Unun

CIA

# 14

"æ" (1994)

Dr. Gunni (Bless, S.H. Draumur) & Þór (aka Thor) Eldon, guitarist of The Sugarcubes, formed the band Unun (Pleasure) in 1993. The name for the band appeared during a Scrabble game. Singer Kristín joined the duo so they could start to rehearse @ Dr. Gunni's apartment.

On 1. April 1994 they started to record "æ". They also recorded a song with rock legend/Icelandic Beatle Rúnar Júlíusson (Rúnar Júl) that became a hit on the radio.

During the recording sessions Kristín was replaced by Heiða Eiríks.

Debut Album "æ"was released @ the end of 1994 on the Icelandic Smekkleysa Label (SM45CD).

Album was co-produced by Jóhann Jóhannsson, who played keyboards on the album. Later on he joined the band Lhooq.

Album was recorded @ Stúdíó Gnýr between 1. April-1. October 1994.

Recorded by EyÞór Arnalds & Páll Borg.

Cover design was by Gagarin & Unun.

Photographs of band members were made by Dr. Gunni, Þór Eldon & Bragi Jósefsson.

Album was Voted Best Album of 1994.

In the spring of 1995 the band started to translate the Icelandic lyrics into English. English version of the album "Super Shiny Dreams" was released on Bad Taste Label in USA & Europe.

Band members on "æ":

Vocals by Heiða, Þór Eldon on guitar, Dr. Gunni on guitar, bass & vocals, J.J. on keyboards, sampling, etc.

Arnar G. Ómarsson on drums, except track # 8 (drums by Sugarcube Sigtryggur (Siggi) Baldursson).

José Cuervo is the brute & Frenchman.

Songs on "æ":

1. Ást í viðlögum

2. Hnefafylli

3. Ég sé hvítt

4. Ég sé rautt

5. Lög unga fólsins

www.youtube.com/v/Y0hsjDFYup0?fs=1&hl&fmt=18



6. Unun

7. Hótel Kúagerði

8. Föstudagurinn langi

9. Vé la gonzesse!

10. Leðurskipið Víma

11. Siðasta sýning

12. Skammhlaup

13. Ljúgðu að mér

"Super Shiny Dreams" (1995)

Bad Taste USA Release (BT001CD)

Released November 1995

Album cover design by Gagarin/Jón Óskar & Unun

Photographs of the band by Eiður Snorri (of the notorious Snorri Brothers).

Recorded by EyÞór Arnalds, Páll Borg & Ken Thomas.

Produced by Ken Thomas.

Co-produced by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

English vocals on the record by Heiða, Þór Eldon on guitar, Dr. Gunni on guitar, bass & vocals, J.J. on keyboards, sampling, etc.

Óbó on drums, except tracks # 2, 4, 6, 11 & 14 (Arnar G. Ómarsson) & track # 9 (drums by Sugarcube Sigtryggur (Siggi) Baldursson)

1. First Aid

2. Fistful of Love

3. I See White

4. I See Red

5. Far

6. Unun

7. Kung Fu Blue

8. Dead & Breakfast

9. The Good Friday

10. Ve La Gonzesse!

11. SOS Aurora

12. Premiere

13. Blow My Fuse

14. Lie To Me