|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Agaetis Byrjun,
the fourth album from Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros (their
first to be released in the US) is a great listen indeed.
You'll find yourself hypnotized by feedbacking layers of
calm sonic force, laced with violin-bowed guitars, spacey
keyboard sounds, subtle tape loops and the most heartbreaking
female vocals ever produced by a male. That unique falsetto,
a definite stand-out in their music, is the work of lead
singer and guitarist Jon Birgisson ("Jonsi"), who mixes
his native Icelandic tongue with imaginary words and nonsensical
sounds to form a language Ros refers to as "Hopelandish."
No matter, I still hear the English phrase "It's You..."
as the haunting chorus of their first single, Svefn-G-Englar,
whether they're saying it or not. This universal quality
to their music is one of the things that makes it so appealing.
Sigur Ros could be loosely compared to early Pink Floyd,
late Radiohead or the Cocteau Twins, but has definitely
stumbled into a sound all their own.
review by Dan Smith
digg
|
del.icio.us
|
|
|
|
|
©
Figgle 2001-2007