This, ladies and gentlemen, is Sigur Rós's most recent studio release. One of my cousins helped me to discover this band years ago and it has become probably my favorite band overall. In Irvine, being one of the four people who knew of and enjoyed the band's music was quite the bummer, and though I have found a few more people who know of them here at UCLA, these guys from Iceland don't get near as much attention as they deserve. I chose to review their most recent release because it is their most accessible. Admittedly, Sigur Rós is an acquired taste. Their sound is unique (perhaps you gathered that they're unique from their au naturale album artwork, but don't let that dissuade you from listening!), and the lead singer, Jónsi, doesn't sing in English. I believe there may be some Icelandic in there, but he's also known for singing emotions, if that makes sense. He sings feelings, not in any language. For some this may be a turn off, but in my opinion it makes the album universally accessible for anyone who values the emotion of music. Also, I think Jónsi has one of the most powerful, emotional voices of any lead singer out there. It's one of the most beautiful and transcending sounds of any band I've ever heard. Here we go!
1. "Gobbledigook" - This song starts extremely happy happy and stays extremely happy. With clapping and "la, la, la's" throughout, it's joy in musical form. Drums and guitar keep the song rolling along, and the complex layering of vocals ensure there is always something to listen to. This is one of the more mainstream-sounding songs on the album, if you can believe that. The song ends just as merrily as it begins. It just makes you smile!
2. "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" - One of my favorite songs on the album. It starts of with a muted trumpet fanfare before exploding into an amazing xylophone (I think) melody. Jónsi's amazing vocal range is again on display here, but it's really the melody and instrumentation choices of the group that make this song such a standout. A beautiful, little instrumental section leads up the final triumphant statement of the song. Strings and trumpets play big roles in this song, which is a quick way for any song to snare my heart. Dance around and enjoy.
3. "Gódan daginn" - A beautiful, primarily acoustic guitar-driven ballad, something that Sigur Rós didn't do much of in their previous releases. It's definitely geared for a broader audience, but it's so beautiful that I frankly don't care. Synths provide a soft bed on top of which guitar and Jónsi's vocals work. Delicate and extremely well-executed, this is a perfect example of Jónsi singing his emotions (which is often what he does in lieu of singing in any particular language).
4. "Vid spilum endalaust" - Another happy song! It starts off with woodwinds and bass (how often have you heard that about a song?). The opening verse leads into yet another epic Sigur Rós chorus featuring trumpets, strings, and outstanding vocal harmonies. Like so many other Sigur Rós songs, the song culminates in an epic build the likes of which Zeus would even be excited by. These guys just have a talent for the majestic.
5. "Festival" - This song slows things down and resembles much more the kind of songs that we heard in Sigur Rós's previous albums. Subtle beds of synthesizer and string sound provide a bed on top of which Jónsi shows off his incredible vocal range and haunting voice. The song's first half is sad, contemplative, and melancholy, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Then it shifts gears into an equally wonderful, faster rhythm and melody. It becomes, once again, extremely majestic, with soaring strings, brass, guitar, and vocals creating one of the second-most uplifting moments on the album (keep reading to hear about the most uplifting). What I'm about to say will make reveal to you how much of a music nerd I am, but it should be noted that I make no attempt to hide my intense music nerdiness. Quite frankly, I could see myself walking through Middle Earth to this.
6. "Med sud í eyrum" - Piano and vocals once again share center stage in this song. Drums create the feel of marching ever onward, and this feel continues for most of the song. In fact, the drums are my favorite part of this song, which, though it is an good song, is probably one of the least dynamic on the album.
7. "Ára bátur" - My favorite song hands down and the most epic song I have ever heard in my life. That's saying something, because the amount of music I listen to borders on ridiculous. For the first half of the song, pianos and Jónsi create a slow, beautiful ballad-feel. Around the halfway mark, the song begins to build in volume and intensity... slowly at first, then gradually adding instruments and awesomeness until finally we get to the best moment on the album, in my opinion. It is, in a world, ethereal. A full symphony, children's choir, and Jónsi explode in a musical moment unlike anything else you're likely to hear outside of a movie theater. It's a 9 minute song, but I never skip it when it comes up on my iTunes, no matter how musical ADD I'm feeling. Sit back, enjoy, and feel free to conduct along - I always do :).
8. "Íllgresi" - After the Olympic-like feel of the previous song, Sigur Rós once again mellows things out with a ballad featuring acoustic guitar and, like always, Jónsi's raw, emotional voice. The song is beautiful, but not in the majestic way that other songs by the group are. Instead, this is a more intimate and subdued listen. Strings enter in towards the end of the song, adding to its delicate atmosphere.
9. "Fljótavík" - One of the saddest-sounding songs on the album, and definitely one of the most heart-wrenching. Without sounding too morbid, this song would fit in perfectly in the soundtrack of someone's life at a funeral when someone is looking at a loved one that has passed on... heartbroken that they are gone, but remembering all they did in life. Close your eyes and just fall into this song. The mournful combination of piano and strings, along with some of Jónsi's most emotional vocal work on the album, will definitely get to you. If any song were ever to make me tear up, this is it. I can't say enough... it's just heartbreaking.
10. "Straumnes" - This is an instrumental interlude, almost like it's easing you out of the emotional whirlwind that was the previous song. There's not much to it, simply lush pads of string sound for a couple minutes, though it has the same general melodic feel as "Fljótavík."
11. "All Alright" - Once again, this song opens with delicate piano and vocals. Brass joins in to what is another mournful song. However, there is something else in this song that enters with another subtle piano melody a few minutes in: hope. Hope for the future, hope that all will be better in the future. Heartwrenching yet uplifting, intimate yet majestic - the perfect ending to the album.
I never get tired of listening to Sigur Rós's music. It's beautiful and ethereal at many times, but at others it can be joyous and frivolous. Unfortunately, the band announced that it would be on an indefinite hiatus as of January 2010. I cannot stress how much I hope this is not all we've seen of Sigur Rós. Still, the sound is not gone. Jónsi has released a solo album entitled "Go" that is wonderful; I'm sure I'll review it at some point. Until the day that Sigur Rós once again convinces me (as they always do) that music can truly do amazing things, I'll be listening to their previous CDs, listening, conducting, and enjoying.
Here's a link to their Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/sigurros
Until next time, enjoy :)
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