Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Genius Not Pretentious
Sigur Ros are a blend of sounds the like of which you will not find elsewhere. With a dedicated fan-base as diverse as Radiohead (who cited them as an influence on Kid A) and Cameron Crowe (who included three songs in his movie Vanilla Sky), this could be the album that finally earns them the widespread recognition that they deserve. Their second album Agaetis Byrjun was a monumental epic that created a new sound. This third album consists of studio versions of songs that have been honed over the last two years during live performances. Their previous albums have been in Icelandic; this latest one is in Hopelandic, a made-up quasi-gibberish that allows lead singer Jon thor Birgisson (Jonsi) to project his voice (half-way between choir-boy and Thom Yorke) almost as an instrument. Incidentally, the lack of lyrics allows each listener to conclude what each song means to him personally, and your interpretations can be posted on the web alongside other fans'. The tracks are also untitled, though many of them carry unofficial monikers. With any other band this would be an act of extreme pretence, but as a Sigur Ros fan it is hard to conclude that it could have been done any other way. Even the album itself is untitled, simply named ( ), which can be interpreted as symbolising the two distinct halves that complete the whole, or it could be on a similar theme to the interpretive lyrics, in that you should fill in your own album title. Track 1, sometimes referred to as Vaka, is the one they most commonly kick off their concerts with, and it is an appropriately slow track that utilised a calm piano riff. Track 2, Fyrsta, is again a beautifully-constructed track that is more mournful, almost lethargic. Track 3, Samskeyti, for lack of other words can be described as unbelievably pretty, and uplifting as it combines once again a simple piano riff with strings, in what is an instrumental piece. Track 4, Njósnavélin, is perhaps the most famous song off the new album: it was used in the climactic scene of Vanilla Sky, and was performed on Kilbourn. The first studio version combines all the best aspects of the various forms it has appeared on stage, and adds an accompaniment that at once achieves perfection. Track 4 is followed by a silenec that allows the mood of the album to totally shift. When it restarts with álafoss, it is much more downbeat in tone, but no less masterfully-constructed for it. The songs effortlessly segue into one another as E-Bow and The Death Song go by, as it gears towards the climactic Track 8: Popplagið. Unlike anything else they have ever composed, 'The Pop Song' rocks out with an intensity unlike anything else I have heard. The various elements just come together in perfect unison to achieve a perfect blend of emotion and intensity that leave you reeling as the CD comes to a close. Appropriately, Sigur Ros are in the habit of ending their sets with this track. The final lyrics of Agaetis Byrjun made reference to how this was a Good Beginning (the literal translation of the album title), but that they will do better this time. On this evidence, they keep getting better...
Rating: - An amazing record...
This is quite simply a beautiful album. Comments below suggest keeping it away from people with emotional problems. While sitting through this CD, one can not help but feel happy...and sad at the same time. Their are quite an array of emotions. It is a rollercoaster of sound if you are open to new and exciting things. Sigur Ros are simply one of the best bands around. I suggest checking them out live if you have the chance.
Rating: - Incredible! A breath of fresh air!
The funny thing is, there's really little that's incredible about this album: the album, the songs are all untitled; there're no liner notes, only some nice drawings of snowy forest; in fact, almost no writing whatsoever on the CD case, save a small plug for their website and the requisite copyright information on the CD itself, which is plain white; the songs are equally sparse in what they give us- mostly haunting sounds from a piano and strings, no hummable melodies, and the same phrase repeated over and over, not just on one song, but on many of them. Exactly what you wouldn't expect from a major-label release.And that's what makes it so great. I realized this as I searched frantically on the web- first here, and then at Sigur Ros' website- to find what the songs were called. When I discovered that there were none to be found was when it hit me: this album is about lack of pretense. They give you nothing to build up expectations, and therefore the entire album, both the music and the aesthetics of the packaging, is an entire experience devoid of symbols, messages, or anything else found in today's pop music. I loved it, personally, and I really enjoy the music, which is ultimately more relaxing than repetative. The final minutes of the last song, which end in a mellow crescendo of rock music, are just the perfect thing to top off this truly incredible album. Thank you, Sigur Ros.
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