Sigur Rós - Sigur Rós
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Free Music Notes for Sigur Rós
Free Music Review: Exploring the Boundaries of Vastness
Hit: 5 Stars
It is not uncommon to invoke the spiritual when describing Sigur Ros' work. As I have tried to write a review of "()" that does the recording any justice at all, I have been tempted to follow suit. Sigur Ros seems to convey an undeniable reverence for music that is difficult to describe using any other term. "()" is serious and respectful, giving the impression that for Sigur Ros, music is not to be taken lightly. It has meaning and significance. Often, such significance is dictated to the listener by lyric text, but Sigur Ros' deliberate choice to sing in a synthesized language begs the question: what exactly des Sigur Ros' music signify? What does it point to?
Upon listening to "()," I would suggest that it points out and away. It extends and reaches out in ways that can only be suggested musically. Sound itself extends from well-defined center and in so doing, has the ability to reveal something about the interior of things. If a person claps inside an empty cathedral, it says something about that space. I often characterize some styles of music as "claustrophobic," as is the case with Tool or Mastodon. "()" is not that. The interiority of "()" is vast. It is free of any spatial boundary that might be perceived in the listening experience.
Other groups have explored this terrain, most obviously Pink Floyd in their classic composition "Echoes." Vastness creates a reflective, lonely, self-searching aesthetic that can be programmatically interpreted in several subjective ways - open plains of ice, a clear sky, or simply falling through space. All of these scenarios, however, share a sense of simultaneous isolation from humanity and solidarity with the universe. As modern humans, we very rarely (if ever) get a chance to experience this sensation in the fullest sense.
As a result, "()" is disquieting, emotionally explosive, musically sparse, and unapologetically organic. In other words, it is a decidedly human recording. I seriously doubt that a click track was used at all, and if so very little. Instead, it seems the band was unleashed in the studio allowing the music to take hold. As a result, tempos change subtly to fit mood, and song structure is loosely arranged around intuitive avenues rather than strict forms. Simple melodic figures are often presented and patiently allowed to evolve into hair-raising wails that seem to reverberate to the edges of reality.
The Lowdown: I have found it extremely challenging to write a review of any of Sigur Ros' work, and even more so with "()." It is an unbelievably beautiful recording that tugs on my emotions in the most inexplicable way.
Free Music Review: A much darker, heavier venture into beauty...
Hit: 5 Stars
This album may very well be Sigur Ros's most important album to date, in the sense that it showcases their ability to progress. Needless to say, the possibility of surpassing their previous effort, Agaetis Byrjun, seems close to impossible, but this album matches its superiority. It has different dimensions; the album can be enjoyed equally as a whole or as individual songs. It seems that the band focused less on trying to put its listeners into a trance-like state of meditation, and tried instead to explore the deepest parts of themselves and make their listeners do likewise. The album is much more concise and less whimsical, and the band skips the long atmospheric interludes between songs, giving the listener a series of lush mental landscapes instead of a single one with different levels. All of the songs are beautiful, as always, but the band tries different sounds to expand their sonic pallette. Jonsi's use of a cello bow on guitar strings is still there, but less apparent than on Agaetis Byrjun. Harmonies are added in all the right places, making already gorgeous songs even more breathtaking. The album does have a much darker atmosphere surrounding it, making it work on a different level with the listener. The title is symbolic of the album's structure, with the two parentheses representing the first and second halves of the album. The first has an altogether happier sound, with track 4, Njosnavelin, taking the spotlight. It was a track that has long been anticipated for studio recording, and this version far outshines that of the long-popular live version. Track 3 probably best represents the first half, showing the aura of the band in a much calmer state. The second half, prefaced by a silent interlude, is extremely dark and sad, with perhaps the exception of track 8. It's like the album is falling in and out of love with somebody. The structure can be interpreted in many different ways, so I leave that up to each individual listener. If this review seems nonsensical, it's due to the fact that the band's music is so hard to pin down and explain, especially since I've only had the album for a day. It is equally as amazing as Agaetis Byrjun, but on a different level. It is darker, heavier, and more concise than its predecessor, which does not make it any better or worse. If you are a fan of Radiohead, Bjork, Godspeed You Black Emperor, or Brian Eno, I HIGHLY recommend this band. They craft a sound that is surreal, trance-inducing, and altogether beautiful, and are a welcome escape from the rehashed, redundant, uninspiring, and just plain horrible world of "mainstream music". Sigur Ros has arrived, and no insomniac is safe.Free Music Review: So Incredibly Beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
About half a year ago I finally saw Vanilla Sky on a movie channel and like so many others was given my first taste of Sigur Rós. The 4th untitled track of this album is featured prominently in the final scene of that movie and was immediately gripping for me.
I found myself in tears more because of the song than because of the ending of the movie. I immediately had to figure out what the song was. I quickly found that it was Sigur Rós, a band I had heard a lot of buzz about but had never gotten around to checking out. I downloaded the track and proceeded to listen to that one song practically non-stop for more than a week, bringing myself to the verge of tears nearly every time. I then went out and bought ( ) so that I could hear the rest of the album. I was not disappointed.
This is some of the most hauntingly beautiful music you will ever hear. It is not traditional in any sense and it can be described as "ambient", but to me it really is not worth trying to classify. It doesn't really fit any of the labels people would try to place it under. That's not to say it is completely new and radical, but it is still difficult to classify.
At the time I got the album I was living alone, away from home, for the first time in my life and was fairly depressed. Even though the lyrics are all Icelandic, I could swear I heard "You sigh alone." being sung throughout the entire album. It very simply but fairly well summed up how I was feeling at the time. And while that lyric can be seen as very depressing, the beauty of the music really gave me hope. In a strange way, even though it was very slow, "sad" sounding music, the beauty of it all gave me hope on a level beyond even my personal feelings of depression at that time.
My favorite track off of the album is still 4, I think I'll have a permanent connection to that song, but the rest of the album is equally amazing. Specifically tracks 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8. But even 2, 3 and 7 are great. The album is definitely one that is worth listening to straight through from beginning to end.
This album doesn't seem to be for everyone, although I have to say, I think if this album doesn't connect with you on some level you must be either dead inside or looking for the wrong things.
I later learned through some pretentious indie-dicks that I was not "cool" because I didn't know of Sigur Rós before Vanilla Sky, and that people who discovered them through Vanilla Sky were just mainstream dolts who don't have a clue. I honestly couldn't care less. All I care about is that I have this music with me for the rest of my life.
Free Music Review: Venturing into darker territories...
Hit: 5 Stars
( ) is a darker, more brooding album than its predecessor Agaetus Byrjun, which, in what may be a deliberate irony, is very much the opposite of its brighter cover art. I recommend it to anyone interested in Pink Floyd, Rick Wright, or Radiohead for their musical aspects. There are even some classical overtones, despite their seeming to move past the full-orchestra approach for a more minimalistic one. Don't be daunted by Sigur Ros' deliberate air of mystery--this is truly a worthwhile album.This album has new emotions for Sigur Ros--sadness, even full-blown rage at the end of Track 8. The first group of four songs is closer to the old Sigur Ros, more delicately beautiful, and while mournful at times, also uplifting. Track 2/Track 3 are the perfect examples of this, especially Track 3, which is a pure instrumental (no singing at all), with a gorgeous piano sequence. It's one part elegy, one part celebration. For all its sadness, it slowly builds up an amazing amount of power, and even as it dies away, you can't help that remaining sense of lingering joy. It is achingly bittersweet.
Over the second half of ( ), Sigur Ros moves into its new emotional territory. Discord, heavy, brooding arrangements, and much more anguished, sometimes bitter vocals set this section apart. I appreciate the Hammond organ, which becomes more prominent on the second half of the album. Track 5 in particular shows them off well. I am reminded in part of the way Rick Wright used the Hammond on Pink Floyd's classic "Us and Them", and for that feature especially, I commend Track 5.
You have to be patient to listen to ( )--the songs build very gradually to a crescendo that does not always come. Track 7 moves closer to bitterness--and then there is the explosion in Track 8. At first it sounds like it will be a triumphant closing anthem and then--WHAM! I've heard few better expressions of such blinding anger...it's actually stronger because it has no recognizeable words. Rather than a momentary and someday laughable teenage-angsty outburst, this is an expression of pure emotion itself almost up there with Pink Floyd's "One of These Days" (which does have one distorted lyric, but is otherwise an instrumental). That is why I can appreciate it so much as Sigur Ros explodes into rage with Jonsi's chilling voice hovering over the chaos.
The only weakness of this album, in comparison with Agaetus Byrjun is, as other reviewers have pointed out, that Jonsi seems far less creative with his made-up language than before. However, this is still a spectacular album well worth its 5 stars!
Free Music Review: ( )
Hit: 5 Stars
Writing about Sigur Ros is probably one of the hardest thing a critic ever has to face. Their music is so unique that finding words that describe air are hard to come by.
Some people may never understand the beauty that is Sigur Ros; as some people will never understand the beauty of a darkened winter night sky lit up with distant galaxies.
It's as though all the songs are touched by a bit of magic, and that doesn't happen very often. This album dares. It is bold. It is not afraid, and at the same time it seems fragile and delicate.
This album has new emotions for SIGUR ROS--sadness, even full-blown rage at the end of Track 8. The first group of four songs is closer to the old SIGUR ROS, more delicately beautiful, and while mournful at times, also uplifting. Track 2/Track 3 are the perfect examples of this, especially Track 3, which is a pure instrumental (no singing at all), with a gorgeous piano sequence. It's one part elegy, one part celebration. For all its sadness, it slowly builds up an amazing amount of power, and even as it dies away, you can't help that remaining sense of lingering joy. It is achingly bittersweet.
Over the second half of ( ), SIGUR ROS moves into its new emotional territory. Discord, heavy, brooding arrangements, and much more anguished, sometimes bitter vocals set this section apart. I appreciate the Hammond organ, which becomes more prominent on the second half of the album. Track 5 in particular shows them off well.
You have to be patient to listen to ( )as the songs build very gradually to a crescendo that does not always come. Track 7 moves closer to bitterness--and then there is the explosion in Track 8. At first it sounds like it will be a triumphant closing anthem and then--WHAM! I've heard few better expressions of such blinding anger...it's actually stronger because it has no recognizeable words. Rather than a momentary and someday laughable teenage-angsty outburst, this is an expression of pure emotion itself. That is why I can appreciate it so much as SIGUR ROS explodes into rage with JONSI's chilling voice hovering over the chaos.
There is no easy way to put it, they aren't immediately an accessible sound, ( ) is darker then Ágćtis Byrjun. Sigur Rós puts considerable energy into generating original compositions that I feel draws their power from emotion generated through the music and vocals, rather then the music itself. This could spell danger for impatient or shallow listeners, it takes more then a few listens to really get into ( )