Sigur Ros - Takk...
Rating
RIYL
MúmÖlviss
Björk
Kimono
Label
Geffen RecordsTracklist
1. Takk2. Glosoli
3. Hoppipolla
4. Meo Blodnasir
5. Se Lest
6. Saeglopur
7. Milano
8. Gong
9. Anduari
10. Svo Hljott
11. Heysatan
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Iceland is amazing, if I do say so myself. After all, I was born there. I’m biased and I love it. However, some bias is obviously justified and in the case of Sigur Rós, it’s a bias that is true. Sigur Rós are an amazing, ambient rock band that have for far too long been inaccurately portrayed as the “embodiment of Iceland and its landscape.” Reviews often use the words “glacial” and “icy” to describe their sound and use that as a point of refrence to say “they embody the heart and soul of Iceland in their music.” That is not what Sigur Rós do. They sing songs about the simple beauties in life. They sing songs of fairy tales. Their songs are epic in proportion and filled with atmosphere so intense and majestic it’s easy to get lost in their splendor. Sit down and let me explain to you their new album, Takk…, which is Icelandic for “thanks.”
Takk… is very similar to their U.S. debut album, but worldwide their sophomore album, Ágætis Byrjun. They are both airy, soft, lilting, haunting and enchanting. However, Takk… takes a turn where Sigur Rós have never been before: they use marimbas, glockenspiels, and other various mallet instruments. On their first single, “Glósóli", (Glowing Sun) Jónsi, the lead singer, sings a song about a boy who looks out his window and sees the sun is missing, so he goes on a hunt to find it. However, once finding the missing orb, he finds himself awake in bed and wonders to himself if it was all a dream, except for the curious fact that he is wearing muddy boots. The song starts as a simple, slow, marching beat with a haunting guitar singing along with Jónsi and a music box sprinkling notes here and there. The song’s highlight is towards the end where the drum beats louder and louder as everything builds and builds into a sonic noise and explodes into a mess of guitar and cymbals. It’s ethereal and sends chills down your spine.
Then there is “Hoppípolla” (Jumping In Puddles). It opens with a fragile piano line as a string ensemble grows behind it along with the drums, setting the mood for this positive song about, literally, the joy kids get from jumping in puddles. It’s a love story of sorts, of the pain kids go through playing dirty. “Smiling, throw ourselves in circles/holding hands, the whole world is unclear/you stand soaking wet (soaking wet), no rubber boots/running into each other, wanting to explode out of our shells.” That is the first few lines of the song translated, and it shows exactly what it is that they sing about and what they consider beautiful in life. Jónsi grew up as an extremely artistic and imaginative child and believes that everyone always has a little child inside themselves.
The album takes a slightly darker tone in the latter half, with such songs as “Gong” (Gong) and “Milanó” (Milano). The album ends on a very bright note with a song about hay stacks ("Heysátan"). Takk… is a phenomenal album that embodies the absolute best of Sigur Rós. It’s their most polished work yet and also their most accessible (as accessible as an album sung almost entirely in Icelandic can get).
--Eirikur Hallsson
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What's funny is in an interview with Kjartan, the pianist, he said the album is actually supposed to be more depressing. Makes no sense considering how light and uplifting the album is, and also the meaning behind almost all of the songs being about PURE JOY. But, whatever floats his boat.
And thanks, Adam. :P
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Sacramento, CA
yeah, i didn't bother reading this review before i knew who wrote it. i scrolled down, saw it was eirikur and knew i was in for a treat. i was right.
I'm not here to make things better; only to observe and pass judgement.