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- Released: June 2008
- Rating: 8/10
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Straight in at number 6 on the album charts (w/c 30 June).
If there was ever a time I understood another language, Icelandic, then thisis it.
It was only November 2007 that geeky Icelandic troubadours Sigur Ros releasedthe double masterpieceHvarf/Heimto critical acclaim.
This time, they go, in a Sigur Ros way, for a mainstream attack, thoughtheir eccentricity still emerges with the translation of the albums title.
For the first time, (as far as Im aware), there are two song titles inEnglish which is a bit of an indicator. We mustnt get the idea theyre selling outby any means. Its predecessor was a magnificent and time consuming opus. Nowthings are a tad simpler, and maybe after 14 years together, they want toreach a bigger audience, which will hopefully, not alienate their cult following.
Whereas in the past theyve created awesome ambient and occasionally passionateambling beauties well over the 5 minute mark, theyve broken the mould slightlywith this one. Of course we get the penchant falsettos and soaring melodies,without them it simply wouldnt be Sigur Ros.
They have in the past self-indulged with their own language Vonlenska which hasnt always helped matters. So they declared that the lyrics would be moreunderstandable to the public than on previous albums. Mhh. Anyway, language barriersaside, Med Sud is still a joyous listening experience much likeTakk (2005)Heima and Hvarf-Heim (2007).
Somewhere along the line theyve learnt to bend their rules and reach out more.The clanging tribal intro percussion of Gobbledigook is a sign. Its thenboosted by rushing acoustic guitar and Jonsi Birigssons whispful falsetto,making quite an impact.
Surely Coldplay must have had an influence on thrusting and jangly Inni Mer andcould be mistaken for something off their earlier albums, though the pomp andceremony ending stamps it as distinctly Sigur Ros. Theres an angelic whip-upand keyboard tinkling a la Chris Martin, only better. Back in their comfort zone,the gentle and often celestial Gooan Daginn (shades of U2s gentler moments)drifts by almost unnoticed, whereas uplifting Vio Spilum… reverts backto Coldplay territory and as close as they get to a pop song at just over threeminutes,
Med Sud is pretty close too, a rarity for them. Festival has anearly Sunday morning church feel, with again Birigssons choirboy like falsettoat full throttle accompanied by an organ up to nearly five minutes until a throbbingbuild up explodes into a massive crescendo, tailing off at 9 minutes into asolo whistle. Ara Batur is an epic in the end, featuring a 67-piece orchestra and London Oratory School Schola, but the build up is classic Sigur Ros.
Comparatively, the next four, including closer All Alright, are low keyaffairs that bring everything to a smouldering ember.
File under: More diversity. Not a good as its predecessor.
Weblinkssigurros.com /myspace.com/sigurros
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Gobbledigook
2. Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur
3. Gooan Daginn
4. Vio Spilum Endalaust
5. Festival
6. Med Sud I Eyrum
7. Ara Batur
8. Illgresi
9. Fljotavik
10. Straumnes
11. All Alright
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.