"Takk" by Sigur Ros - A Review...
This is a perfect summation of the new Sigur Ros record. From Glidemagazine.com...
Sigur Ros
Takk...
Simon Cohn
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Just in time for winter, the Icelandic super-elves Sigur Ros deliver another perfectly crystallized sonic poem evoking their sparkling quicksilver home in the stars. Takk… which means “thank you” in their native language is a perfect title for the follow up to 2002’s equally well-titled ( ), a meandering, melancholic trip that left some fans wondering if the group hadn’t run out of ideas.
Any doubts are blown away, though, by the album opener “Glosoli.” Emerging from a brief introduction – the cosmic orchestra warming up, the sun rising over future cities encased in ice – “Glosoli” is set in motion by huge, slow rising bass notes set off by glacial strings, sheets of distorted guitar and liquid chiming bells. Just at the point where ( ) might have lapsed into boredom, the marching drum beat and familiar angelic voices ups the tempo.
Few other groups are able to conjure whole universes in the way Sigur Ros does here, and as the energy begins to peak with thundering guitar chords signaling the song into liftoff, you’re reminded of what made you love them in the first place. “Glosoli” is worth the price of admission all by itself, and in fact the rest of the album is mostly involved with coming down.
Takk… brings a lot together - the melodies, horns and orchestral crescendos of 2001's Ágætis Byrjun along with the warmth that was missing from most of ( ). But there is still a basic problem. Takk... is not formulaic per se, it is just that a listener can only peak so many times in one sitting. The problem with Sigur Ros, and they can certainly be forgiven, is that they make each song into an epic event. The result is that midway through the album the songs become tiresome and even a bit boring.
Listened to in isolation, Tak.. still contains many inspired moments. “Se Lest,” a melodic flow of otherworldly cries, minimalist piano and patterns suddenly morphs into the pulsing swing of a full underwater marching band, complete with orchestra. And “Saeglopur,” probably the album’s second high point, is the perfect follow up – with its rolling piano and perfect dramatic tension. In the end, Takk.. is best in small doses and perfect for midnite ipod shuffles through the snow.
Sigur Ros
Takk...
Simon Cohn
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Just in time for winter, the Icelandic super-elves Sigur Ros deliver another perfectly crystallized sonic poem evoking their sparkling quicksilver home in the stars. Takk… which means “thank you” in their native language is a perfect title for the follow up to 2002’s equally well-titled ( ), a meandering, melancholic trip that left some fans wondering if the group hadn’t run out of ideas.
Any doubts are blown away, though, by the album opener “Glosoli.” Emerging from a brief introduction – the cosmic orchestra warming up, the sun rising over future cities encased in ice – “Glosoli” is set in motion by huge, slow rising bass notes set off by glacial strings, sheets of distorted guitar and liquid chiming bells. Just at the point where ( ) might have lapsed into boredom, the marching drum beat and familiar angelic voices ups the tempo.
Few other groups are able to conjure whole universes in the way Sigur Ros does here, and as the energy begins to peak with thundering guitar chords signaling the song into liftoff, you’re reminded of what made you love them in the first place. “Glosoli” is worth the price of admission all by itself, and in fact the rest of the album is mostly involved with coming down.
Takk… brings a lot together - the melodies, horns and orchestral crescendos of 2001's Ágætis Byrjun along with the warmth that was missing from most of ( ). But there is still a basic problem. Takk... is not formulaic per se, it is just that a listener can only peak so many times in one sitting. The problem with Sigur Ros, and they can certainly be forgiven, is that they make each song into an epic event. The result is that midway through the album the songs become tiresome and even a bit boring.
Listened to in isolation, Tak.. still contains many inspired moments. “Se Lest,” a melodic flow of otherworldly cries, minimalist piano and patterns suddenly morphs into the pulsing swing of a full underwater marching band, complete with orchestra. And “Saeglopur,” probably the album’s second high point, is the perfect follow up – with its rolling piano and perfect dramatic tension. In the end, Takk.. is best in small doses and perfect for midnite ipod shuffles through the snow.
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