Takk - Sigur Ros

If I were to describe the opening track of this album in one word, it would be: sparkling. The layers of electronic sounds that make up the title, and opening track, and the extremely sparse, echoing and indistinct vocals seem to almost visually shimmer. Sigur Ros' great talent is combining many many sounds to create an effect that is far greater than the sum of its parts, weaving together the different elements to create a whole new aural landscape. While 'Takk' is a quiet track, built up of sweet and rather soothing sounds, it leads seamlessly into the longer second track 'Glosoli', which, despite having many of the similar shimmering elements of the ...  Read the complete review

Sigur Ros are a group from Iceland, and Takk is their fourth album. In case you're wondering, their name is pronounced Si-ur Rose, with an "i" like in "hit", and "Takk" means "thank you". They're a little experimental to say the least, and have been generously called the modern Pink Floyd. Their lead singer sings in a high pitched wail and plays the guitar with a bow. So, not the type of band you'd expect to have a major release with the label EMI, but such is the cult following from the legions of Sigur Ros fans out there that this album was released with as much importance as some of EMI's more famous stars. I first ...  Read the complete review

Very few bands can claim to garnering as many cliched metaphors as Sigur Ros. Browsing the reviews of any album this band has produced will throw up countless comparisons to the glaciers, mountains, valleys and desolate volcanoes that make up the Icelandic landscape (or at least the Iceland that these reviewers envision whilst trying to describe a country they, more likely than not, have never visited). Much as I disapprove of this stunning display of journalistic originality it shows just how hard it is to accurately describe Sigur Ros' sound to someone. Their sound is immense yet intimate, moving back and forth from softly floating hums of electric guitars ...  Read the complete review

Sigur Ros are going from strength to strength, Takk shows this is not going to stop. Jón "Jónsi" Þór Birgisson's outstanding vocal work, is complemented by the marvelous instrumental work, creating an original and unique sound. Takk appears to be more accessible to individuals that are new to the band than Sigur Ros' prevoius workings, and is easilly on par with the newer sound of Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust which was released this year (2008). The Icelandic band has been around for some time, this album shows a more grown up style, a new direction being approached perhaps. The lack of Vonlenska (Hopelandic, which is a made up language with no ...  Read the complete review