| Formed in August, 1994, Sigur Ros have
one of the most magical sounds in music. They certainly
sound different, possibly helped by their coming from
Iceland. Sigur Ros really are one of the most important
groups around, and are a lazy journalist's nightmare,
with their being so hard to pigeonhole. Recommended album: Takk
by: Sigur Ros
Amazon.co.uk Review:
Many a critical evaluation of Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros
has resorted to stock imagery of molten magma, omnipotent
ice fields and burbling hot springs--and reasonably so.
There's no disavowing the geophysical heartbeat which
invigorates the very soul of this most supernatural of
bands. Takk may well be Sigur Ros's most
stimulating interpretation of their habitat yet--verdant
serenity to pregnant anticipation to brutal paroxysms of
volcanic thunder via icicle-like celestes, howling
electrical winds of curving guitar feedback and hymns
seemingly sung by castrato pixies.
Strange and overwhelmingly beautiful. Some may think of
Sigur Ros as a permafrosted Pink Floyd (circa Zabriskie
Point) and while it's facile to say as much it's an
honour certainly worthy of them. There's a seamless,
symphonic poetry to Takk where the exultant
"Gong", the euphoric choristry of "Hoppipolla"
(like the Beach boys turned into snowmen) and the
National Geographic panoramas of "Glososli"
blend with intuitive homogeneity. You'll wish you were
here. --Kevin Maidment

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