New Sigur Rós Album on Last.fm
June 10, 2008
I don’t have much time, but I thought it was worth mentioning that I’m listening to the new Sigur Rós album “með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust”, which has been released two weeks early for free on
last.fm
Generally, it’s a very organic album, and seems to have dropped the slow-motion style that they’ve embraced until recently. Perhaps this is change is inspired by their live performances in Iceland, which they documented on their DVD Heima. I’ll post short first impressions as I hear each song.
1. Gobbledigook – high energy, fun, but the odd choice of having a constant somewhat off-beat snare hit was mildly distracting.
2. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur – another high energy one. Similar to Hoppipola from takk…
3. Góðan daginn – slow, but beautiful. Reminds me of Agaetis Byrjun.
4. Við spilum endalaust – light-hearted, a bit poppy, but still as epic as I’d expect.
5. Festival – starts off quiet and gentle. Sounds a little like Von. At the half-way mark, some bass and drum thumping bring the pace up, and building until the inevitable ‘festival’ begins.
6. Suð í eyrum – some neat piano variations going on in the background of this one, as well as some cool percussion elements in the latter section. otherwise, nothing unexpected here… which isn’t a bad thing.
7. ára bátur – more piano, slow, tender, perhaps melancholy. The addition of strings, horns and a choir in the latter half gives the song a filmic, and maybe even an operatic quality.
8. Illgresi – a simple acoustic guitar backed track, which gives way to strings.
9. Fljótavík – another quiet piano piece, with some filtered strings behind it.
10. Straumnes – a short little drone.
11. All Alright – soft, melancholy piano and vocals, backed softly by horns.
Nothing too new and exciting from this album at first glance, but still it’s the Sigur Rós we’ve come to expect, and I can’t fault a good band for producing good music, even if no new ground has been tread.
I may provide a more detailed review after the physical release of this album, but here’s what you get.
