Sigur Rós

Apparently inspired by their acoustic performances done for the last album, Hvarf/Heim, these Icelandic spinners of aural gossamer are playing faster and looser with their songs, but just a little. This is perfectly captured on the first two songs, "Gobbledigook” and the brassy and perfect "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur.” Of course, those looking for the majestic epics that only Sigur Rós know how to do should head directly to both "Festival” and "Ára bátur,” which climaxes with a 67-piece orchestra and boys’ choir. Whew. Despite these songs, the grandiose vision is nicely simplified without losing that otherworldly beauty that makes this band so incredibly unique and breathtaking. There’s also a little sense of humour, as the lyrics of their first English-sung song, "All Alright,” are so mumbled and quiet that you can hardly hear them anyway. The title is translated as "with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly” and that’s perfectly apt, as the listener’s buzzes with excitement on this endlessly magical experiment.