Set the controls for the heart of the sun: Sigur Rós had another baby and they named it ( ). It's just as excessive in length as its elder siblings, it's just as precious and almost as over-the-top sounding, and it's artfully packaged with next to no information provided -- no photo collage from the triumphant world tour, no acknowledgments of the supportive Reykjavik massive. No track titles are present, either -- the band has made them known, but obviously not through the traditional route. Whatever the issues with this record, musical or not, ( ) will only further repel the detractors. Despite the fact that it arrives three years after Ágaetis Byrjun's original release, there are only adjustments -- no significant developments -- in the group's sound. The relentlessly funereal tempos, the elegant arrangements, and the high-pitched warbling/cooing remain in abundance. The overall mood of the album is subdued in relation to its predecessor. This is particularly true for the second half of the album, which is cleaved by a half-minute gap of silence. The sudden stratospheric crescendos resorted to previously are smoothed out, riding subtle gradients that allow for somber, elongated passages of drones and minimal instrumental interplay. The orchestral nuances, contributed by the string quartet Amina, take on a more background role. The fact that the emotional extremes are few and far between makes the album difficult to wade through -- its impact would've been tripled with about half an hour lopped off, but where to begin? None of these eight songs deserve to be left on the cutting-room floor. So perhaps it's most effective when digested in halves. Are Sigur Rós pretentious somnambulists bearing gimmicks, or are they Nordic gods bearing musical bliss? Regardless of the side you're on, ( ) is further proof that this group does what it does very well.
Sigir Ros at the MOMA in NYC. Watching this on tivo. I had no idea they taped this. It'a amazing. The opening two song are incredible. The horn section's arrival, incredible.This performance has me almost in tears. Can't wait for the greek in Berkeley.
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It is good coffee and book weather. Today is Peet's and Faulkner.So far Addie Bundren is dead, but Darl hasn't gone crazy yet, although there is some foreshadowing. They are on their way to Jackson, but the bridge is flooded over.Bonus points: what am I reading?
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..glad to see you're shite's coming to fruition...stay hooked in with me...I wanna collab on sth with other writers (been talking to some journos on the beat and they're all into the ideas)...did I ever get your IM/ email addy? if not, shoot 'em to ***...Laters, Gaddis..Laters, Crash.!http://images.crashpryor.multiply.com/image/4/photos/25/500x500/5/PHASE%202%20OK%2C%20I%27LL%20COME%20GITCHA%20...
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Sigir Ros at the MOMA in NYC. Watching this on tivo. I had no idea they taped this. It'a amazing. The opening two song are incredible. The horn section's arrival, incredible.This performance has me almost in tears. Can't wait for the greek in Berkeley.
More >
Sigur Ros... What more can you say about these guys? Musical geniuses? Sure. Saviors of the future? Perhaps. I've stood by the assertion that if ( ) were the background music of the world, there would be no war. You couldn't fight with music so beautiful playing.( ) is truly euphoric ambient at its best. Takk is also excellent, as is their earlier works. There'll always be a soft spot i...
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It is good coffee and book weather. Today is Peet's and Faulkner.So far Addie Bundren is dead, but Darl hasn't gone crazy yet, although there is some foreshadowing. They are on their way to Jackson, but the bridge is flooded over.Bonus points: what am I reading?
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