I've loved these guys since 'Takk...' and that album will always have a special place for me. I have to admit that initial listens of both 'Valtari' and 'Kveikur' were disappointing to my expectations after 'Takk', 'Hvarf/Heim' and 'Med Sud...', but the strength of these albums is in the repeat listens and I have grown to love them both. 'Med Sud' is amazing and deserved a broader audience - 'Ára bátur' is probably my all time fav SR song, closely followed by 'varúð' A little personal story for 'varúð' : The only time I've seen SR live in my hometown was at an outdoors festival. Was a warm, brilliant sunny day and everyone there was in a good mood. I don't think there was one fight the whole day. SR were headlining and closing the night (after Beck) and before they came on the clouds rolled in, it became still and moody and the skies broke apart - there was a ferocious hailstorm and the crowd was evacuated to a nearby university ground where there was shelter from the golf-ball (and larger) sized hail stones. I feared the show would not continue; but after about 45 minutes we were allowed to return to the festival grounds - and I got a better position than I was previously in. Anyway, this was around the time just after 'Valtari' when they were including 'Brennisteinn' with the green laser light show and they did play 'varúð' ... and it was magical, it really fit the night; although I don't understand the lyrics I sense the intent - alarm - caution - warning - danger ... and yet calm. It felt like a personal message just for those of us there that had some understanding of the song. I felt there were a select few of us dotted among the crowd with a certain aura of understanding and I felt included. Probably all b/s to the rest of you but it was a magical experience for me. * * * * * Love this - (probably unintentional) 'Valtari' reference:
I usually called it 'með suð' too; however 'Endalaust' is probably a better reference as it means 'Endlessly' :-D 'með suð' means 'With buzz' which is ok, but not as romantic. (for those unaware, the album title translates to 'With a buzz in our ears, we play endlessly')
I can't believe I got to page 2 before someone's favorite is Takk... Easily and by far my favorite. One of my top 3 albums ever. ( ) is a close second in relation to all Sigur Ros albums. No other band in the world like these guys. If you haven't seen them live your life is not complete.
Read this really thoughtful article on the band today Is Sigur Ros Just Music for Adult Babies? | NOISEY
I meant to go to this one out it didn't think tickets would be over $100. They were only $75 at most last time they came through Philly. But I guess it's different because they're playing at theaters.
I'm in Portland and the tickets were about the same as they've always been but the place they're playing at isn't much smaller than where they normally play. But I get it, tickets are really expensive. Interested to see what this show is all about with "road testing new songs" and no string/brass section.
I was on for the pre sale and couldn't get any tickets then, and totally forgot about the main sale until Monday morning, really bummered out.
throughout the entire course of tonight and tomorrow sigur rós will be unveiling a 24-hour ‘slow tv’ event live on iceland’s national television – and streaming live globally via youtube – set to a constantly evolving soundtrack based around elements of new song óveður. starting at tonight’s summer solstice and continuing throughout the longest day of the year, ‘route one’ is a 1332km journey the whole way round iceland’s coastal ring road, broadcasting the trip live in its entirety, via national television channel rúv 2. “in a day and age of instant gratification and everything moving so fast, we wanted to do the exact opposite,” says sigur rós’s jónsi birgisson. “slow tv is counter-active to the world we live in, in that it happens in real time and real slow.” driving anti-clockwise round the island, the journey will pass by many of the country’s most notable landmarks, including vatnajökull, europe’s largest ice-sheet; the glacial lagoon, jökulsárlón; as well as the east fjords and the desolate black sands of möðrudalur. the soundtrack to the journey is being created moment-by-moment via generative music software. the individual musical elements of unreleased song, and current sigur rós festival set opener, óveður, are seeded through the evolving music app bronze, to create a unique ephemeral sonic experience. headphones, external speakers and full-screen viewing are recommended.
Video is bonkers, song (especially the second half) is super solid. Love when the fuller sound kicks in. Very grimy and dirty tones, but feels more urgent than I'm used to from them. I dig it.
Don't know how I forgot to listen to the new song, but I love it. Love that they're experimenting some more.
new app that basically gives you the same (but different) soundtrack as their route one video: Sigur Rós Route One by Bronze Music LLP Sigur Rós Route One on the App Store
Never loved these guys as much on record as I probably should. Would love to see them on this tour though. That would probably Kickstart it