Takk...

Takk

     

I'm 74 years young and totally grateful that I've lived long enough to hear the glory that is Sigur Ros.

Sometimes you can find evidence of God in really simple things. (Listen to this album with your eyes closed, falling asleep, or in a place you've never been before.)

A great follow-up to "( )"

     

Being a long-time fan of Sigur Ros and other such groups (Mum, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, etc...) I have outrageously high standards for this group. I had equally high expectations for the pretentious "Takk..." and now that I've listened to the album all the way through a few times, I've come to the decision the album is..? I honestly don't know what to think of Takk, other than it IS a good album and it feels good to listen to Jonsi breathe life into your headphones (or speakers), backed up with touchy keys (sometimes tone-blocks or bells,) aching, bowed-guitar, soothing bass, and brutally honest rhythm (with the occasional explosion.) I recently saw Sigur Ros perform (in Madison) before I purchased the album, and it was one of the best experiences of my life... But could Sigur Ros pull this sort of power off in recording? Well, the recording itself is pretty flawless (the occasional crack or problem) and Sigur Ros is heartful (and sometimes aggressively so,) just as in Agaetis Byrjun, but there is something missing at the end. Don't read the review by iTunes... Dance? I didn't detect such sounds. The songs sounded so good, but after the third or fourth listen, I have to admit I was tired of Sigur Ros' trademark "BBBB-eautiful intro --> chorus, verse, chorus --> building --> some more noodling --> EXPLOSION AFTER BUILD." ...It was great on the rare tracks of Agaetis... But has the success of this band's soulful, powerful song-structure gone to their heads? The rare structure that made certain tracks of Agaetis stand out are now featured in every track and it's hard to tell the difference anymore. I guess when it all comes down to, Sigur Ros gave me exactly what I expected, but was this all that I wanted? In some ways, yes, that's why I purchased the album, but what happened to the excitement of hearing something new? Thats part of why I adore "( )" so much, it took the best of Agaetis and combined it with the best of Von, but it's not simply a hybrid of the two albums, it's something more... Perhaps my expectations for Takk... are too high. So, why all the "Takk..." Bashing? Whats the deal 'Catching Signals-boy.' My point is that we were all so excited for one of the most innovative and great groups out there to produce something that would blow our minds, that we forgot that everyone is human and that Sigur Ros just so happens to do what THEY feel is right, not us; to do otherwise would be nothing more than... whats the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah... Pretentious. 4 1/2 Stars