 | Tracklist:
1. Takk
2. Gl󳳬i
3. Hoppí°¯lla
4. Me𠢬󰮡sir
5. Sé ¬est
6. S槬󰵲
7. Mí¬¡nó¼¢² />
8. Gong
9. Andvari
10. Svo hljó´´¼br />
11. Heysá´¡n
| Ranking: #50 for 2005 | |
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On 86 Lists
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Sigur Rós gained a large following after the release of two critically acclaimed albums. Their last record, ( ), was released in 2002 and since then, Sigur Rós have become the most famous band from Iceland since Bjork.
Sigur Rós
Jónsi Birgission - Vocals, Guitars
Kjarri Sveinsson - Keyboards
Orri Páll Dýrason - Drums
Gorggi Holm - Bass
With Agaetis Byrjun, Sigur Ros created a unique and beautiful album and an anthem for alternative music with "Svfen G Englar". After the album was released, it was uncertain as to where Sigur Rós would go with their music. In 2002, they released ( ), which had no song titles ad no lyrics. Though ( ) amazed most fans, it was obvious that they couldn't make an album like it again. Fans started to worry about where Sigur Rós would go next. Their studio reports showed that they were quite lazy in the studio, only recording when they felt like it. Sigur Rós took three years to release Takk and that amount of time has certainly paid off for the band.
Where ( ) was beautiful, it was also depressing and often void of any hope. Takk changes this. A lot has happened with the band members since 2002. Most of them are now married or in committed relationships, which has led them to become happier people. Often when bands evolve, they forget who they are, but with Takk, Sigur Rós have taken ideas from Von, Agaetis Byrjun and ( ), while stepping foward with their music. The strings that dominated Agaetis Byrjun make a welcome return. The simplicity and crushing dynamics that made ( ) so beautiful is also back. The ambience of Von is also used effectively on Takk. Late in the album, the track "Andvari" ends with two and a half minutes of strings oscillating between two notes, one of the most beautiful moments on the album. Everything they have created om Takk is a step up for the band.
Throughout the entire album, Sigur Rós create a sound which is unmatched. There are strings and horns on nearly every track and Jonsi's vocals are as good as they have ever been. Possibly the only issue with Takk is that the huge scale orchestra that makes an appearance on every track does get tiresome and make the listener wish for some of the simple instrumentation of a song like "Untitled 4". Takk is probably the most versatile Sigur Ros album yet, with beautiful songs like "Glosoli" and less happy songs (but much more hope filled than the second half of ( ) and most of Von) such as "Saeglopur". Takk is probably the most complex Sigur Rós album and certainly the most experimental since Von. On top of this, Takk is also the easiest to listen to. There are many variations of moods, but nothing heartbreaking. The songs are memorable and enjoyable. Is it their best album? Who knows. This, along with Agaetis Byrjun and ( ) all have their own charm and are all different records with similar levels of quality and consistancy. Lets hope that Sigur Rós continue this trend for the future and until then, we have what is arguably their best album to listen to.
Pros
Breathtakingly beautiful
A strong evolution for the band
Good instrumentation
Cons
The large scale strings and horns can be tiresome
Reccomended Tracks
Glosoli
Saeglopur
Andvari
FINAL RATING: 4.5/5
Note: The entire album is avaliable to be listened to on the band's myspace
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Thanks for helping me figure out what to get next.
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No problem. What do you have already?
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Dammit I was actually going to try and review this today.  As I'd say basically exactly the same thing as you, I'm not going to. Good review, and it's a definite contender for their best work. ( ) can just be too difficult sometimes to sit through, although it's a great album.
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For me it's like they have this trio of great albums and none is better than the other. Although I don't think you can beat ( ) for individual songs. I don't know if it will ever be possible for any band to make something as beautiful as "Untitled 4" again.
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I haven't listened to this enough, but on first listens, I didn't really like it too much.
/goes to listen more
| | | Album Rating: 3
Sigur Ros is confusing, anyways good review.
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I've never heard Sigur Rós called confusing before. That's a new one. Also, the wealth of information on the old SR site is gone at the moment, for the new site. Me want smash.
Also, that link stretched the page. Use url tags.This Message Edited On 09.13.05
| | | Album Rating: 5
Must buy this ASAP. my mate had it burnt before the release date and offered to burn it for me and i said "no, i'll get it when it is officially released". so then what do i do??? completely forget about the album!!!! Damn this world for distracting me and screwing up my priorities.
I have been told that this album is much more uplifting and happy than the other albums. I really look forward to listening to it from start to finish.
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Everyone really should buy it, the packaging is beautiful.
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I want this
good review Br3ad, very good
I think I will really dig the string sections :D
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Does this top the ( ) packaging? I love that.
Also, it's Georg Holm, not Gorggi.
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Nice work buddy. I'll check this out.
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hey thanks there woofbacawoof for that totally awesome link to that totally awesome video. you are totally awesome!
i got this cd for 8 dollars. beat that and you get some E. L. Fudge cookies. 3 of em.
why am i the only one that has this on his playlistThis Message Edited On 09.14.05This Message Edited On 09.14.05
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:eek:
8 dollars!? But.. but how?
| | | Album Rating: 3
Wow 8 bucks. I saw ( ) at my local record store for 12 bucks used!
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I got ( ) for $10 AU new.
The packaging on this is better than ( ) yes. Not as much to look at unless you get the special ediiton though.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I bought this yesterday, and I think it was very relaxing as usual. I can't decide if I like Takk more or ( ) more, both have their strong points and their weakpoints. There wasn't a track that I wanted to skip while listening to Takk, everything was interesting and worth my $15 Ca.
And yes, the packaging kicks ass haha, very unique.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I saw this at Best Buy yesterday while looking for something else, and was not sure if I should grab it or not. Now I have no doubts. Great review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Anyone else notice that the trees make a symbol very similar to ( ) ?
Digging: Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose | | | Album Rating: 4
now i do after you pointed it out
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