Sigur Rós

Coming off the fabulous reception of the monstrous sounding Takk, this EP is the big comedown, yet, in true Sigur Rós fashion, it still sparkles with a subtlety and beauty all its own. Actually, there are two sides to this package, as the music side contains "Sæglópur” from the aforementioned effort, but it also has three originals. The accompanying DVD simply contains the videos for the title track and for equally great Takk tracks "Hoppipolla” and "Glósóli.” On the music side, the three originals seem to be on the opposite end of the spectrum to the all-encompassing sound that "Sæglópur” accomplishes at its climax. "Refur” is all piano tinkles and barely-there atmosphere, and, thank god, "Ó Fridur” features some lovely vocals among shivering strings. It’s the most substantial music track on this EP, and yet it’s gone in a whisper. The closer, "Kafari” owes a lot to tour-mates Amiina as the music box plinks and plonks are swathed in atmospherics, with nary an emotional climax to speak of. If you feasted on the lushness of Takk, you will starve on the competent, yet lean, offerings here. The DVD portion, while visually stunning (especially "Glósóli”) has nothing more. The verdict? The clichéd "for fans only.”