Takk, thank you. (Takk - Sigur Ros)

Member Name: springychicky

Product:	Takk - Sigur Ros
Date:	30/06/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful sound landscapes, interesting, powerful.

Disadvantages: Not for everyone.

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 previous track, also incorporates a persistent percussion-like sound, and vocals that build into quite intense climaxes. Actually the song end in a wall of meshed sounds - both electronic and instrumental - which is extremely dense and powerful, but I find is still somehow soothing. Somehow it's like those waves at the beach that rise really high and sweep past you without breaking on your head.

Singer Jónsi Birgisson sings almost exclusively in Icelandic, as far as I can tell (not being proficient in the language myself, unfortunately). He sings mostly in a rather eerie falsetto, although there are tracks like 'Hoppipolla', where he uses his more normal vocal range. Believe me, not understanding the lyrics of the band does not detract from the enjoyment of the music. Even as a person who normally places a lot of importance on good lyrics, the power and atmosphere of the music is more than enough to compensate for not understanding the words.

The band combines electronic synths and random, ecclectic sounds with traditional instruments and vocals, including sometimes almost choral sounding arrangements. However these disparate elements are so skillfully brought together that there is no feeling of disjointedness. The sound is so unique that it is really hard to compare with other well-known bands, however there seems to be a real core group of bands and artists coming out of Iceland at the moment who share a similar sound. If you know and like artists like Björk, or Múm, then Sigur Ros are definitely for you - although if you'd also probably know them already if you're a fan of the aforementioned artists.

If my descriptions of the music so far are appealing, you might be wondering where to begin with the band, who do have a relatively developed back catalogue, and a new album out. Let me just say that Takk is Sigur Ros at their best. The songs roll on from one to another, sounding very much like a body of work that belongs together, and with recurring sound references throughout the album, such as the sparkling bell like sounds referred to in the first track. However, each track also has its own personality, and often incorporates a new flavour. For example Se Lest is one of the only tracks that includes horns, and has an almost carnival feel to it in places (one of those beautiful but slightly creepy old carnivals, not the brazilian one with all the sequins). Sæglópur on the other hand is far more rocky, with stronger vocals at the beginning building to buzzing guitars and a rather crashing piano overlaid with drawn out, melodic vocal choruses as it rises and rises in power to the overwhelming crescendo and soft outro. Just gorgeous. The kind of music that simeltaneously inspires and energises you whilst also soothing you to sleep, really listening to this music is like being hypnotised.

If you like one-dimensional pop songs and unimaginative rehashes of classic songs and sounds, then this album is definitely not for you. If, however, you find the idea of an introduction to a whole host of new sounds, waves of melody and swelling choruses appealing, then give this album a whirl. You won't be disappointed.

Summary: Highly recommended.