Just when this Icelandic crew seemed stuck in loud/soft/loud/ soft rut a la Mogwai or Godspeed You Black Emperor, they release their most beguiling, subtle and beautiful album yet. This album, allegedly the group's first sung in Icelandic rather than their own made-up "Hopelandic" (not that this listener could tell the difference) is relentlessly joyous, unaffectedly rad and inventive but never just for its own sake. Strings hold an ever more prominent place in the music, and this is a good thing. Songs unfold slowly as usual, but they take unexpected turns as often as not. The brilliant "Glósóli" burbles with as much melodic invention and anything by their fellow Icelanders Mum. Takk is a delight from start to finish, managing to be both their most accessible and experimental album yet. --Mike McGonigal
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Good album:
This is the first Sigur Ros album I bought and I can personally attest it is a good album. There is Hoppipolla, a truly fine song and the closest thing to a hit song the Icelandic band ever had (it is very familiar as it has appeared on tv shows, etc.). The rest is basically ambiance music, sad but haunting. If you are feeling depressed because your longtime girlfriend has left you, listening to this record on a rainy day while commiserating on your fate seems like a natural thing to do.
to be a child again:
This album will go down as my favorite of Sigur Ros. Regardless to the language barrier I feel like a child - innocent, carefree and happy, whenever I listen to this CD. Musically it is incredibly simple yet precise to musical genius. A must have for musical explorers.
Like starving alley cats attempting to yodel:
I've been recommended this band by more sources than I can count, based on my deep affection toward Radiohead, Bjork, and others of the experimental variety. I had already heard the somewhat overdone but unquestionably dramatic "Saeglopur," and despite some decidedly odd vocals, I liked it. My hope was that these on-the-edge-of-hearing vocals might mellow out in some slightly more earthly tracks. No such luck. Doubtless all those who have given this rave 5-star reviews will think this reviewer biased... more info
....Takk:
This record is one of the most amazing and extraordinary things that happened in music in the last years. There are no words to describe it. Just BUY it. From minute 1 until the end, it is perfect.