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Album Review

Sigur Ros Takk
EMI

Article written by Matt P
Sep 14, 2005.

Perhaps the band who most successfully bridge the gap between classical and mainstream, Sigur Ros' fourth album has been three years in the making. "Takk" (meaning "thank you" in their native Icelandic) is work of subtle beauty, approaching the pinnacle the band set with their breakthrough LP "Agaetis Byrjun". It is of a higher tempo than "Agaetis", but avoids the dark introspection of their Untitled album from 2002.

What has changed is the control of momentum, as each song on the album rises and falls: from cascading high notes and sweeping strings to the crash of guitars and drums. Notable for this is the nominated first single, "Glosoli", which begins slowly with an insistent marching beat before elevating into a ripping guitar flourish. Similarly, "Gong" and "Saeglopur" are more recognisable "pop" songs, possibly heralding a new direction for the band.

Fans of the mystical and intimate Sigur need not be disappointed however. The strongly emotive "Andvari" captures some of the majesty to be found in 1999's classic song "Staralfur". The plaintive strings soar throughout, to the point where you could be listening to Gustav Holst's St Pauls Suite rather than four young blokes from Iceland. "Se Lest" is similarly orchestral in form, culminating in a waltzing tune which fades in and out again before you have a chance to fully appreciate it. The falsetto warbling too is present, this time singing in Icelandic (apparently the earlier albums were sung in "Hopelandic", a tongue of their own invention. Not that this lay-Englishman would notice the difference!)

"Takk" is certainly the best Sigur Ros album since "Agaetis", and their sound continues to expand: this is much "rockier" work. But the great factor in their music is that it can be everything: from uplifting and life-affirming to dark and introspective. That remains the case with this album, where the one constant is the understated beauty of the music.

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