Dad Rocks!

Tamesis Dock,

London

02/11/2011

Dad Rocks! is the solo project of singer Snævar Njáll Albertsson, an Icelander who has lived in

Denmark since his childhood. Maybe without even knowing that, a Scandinavian sound would be audible in his songs – they’re tuneful and carefully written, often simple and cleanly recorded, with a sweetness that belies their deeper meaning. Tonight is his second

UK date, the first being in Folkestone; this string of dates put together on the eve of his debut album’s release.

The album, ‘Mount Modern’, could be seen as a statement of intent; loaded with poetically political subtexts and dusted with images of domesticity and fatherhood and Albertsson’s personal fears and phobias, it’s a rich personal document as much as a collection of wonderful, heartfelt songs. ‘

Mount
Modern’ features all kinds of instruments across its eleven tracks, at times verging on the symphonic – brass, strings, piano, plucked guitars strings and understated bass all have a part to play. But at the Tamesis Dock, Albertsson takes to stage alone, with just his guitar.

The stripped down setup isn’t an obstacle or letdown, however. He’s a superb guitarist, flicking through hi-speed scales with ease, leaning into the mic with eyes closed to sing a short set of songs culled mainly from the new release. Albertsson glows with positivity as he performs, warmly appreciating the enthusiastic applause of the audience, and stopping to dedicate the closing number to his young son, far away in
Denmark as his dad tours
Europe.

Dad Rocks!has something special going on. Above the noisy conversation from the after-work drinkers in the top deck bar above, the sheer quality and completeness of Albertsson’s writing shines thorough. If this record gets the appreciation it deserves, perhaps one day a full band will take to the stage for a celebratory performance in one of London’s bigger halls; but until then, this incarnation of ‘Mount Modern’ will do just fine.

John Rogers