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Sigur Rós: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

23rd June 2008 | by Ross Riley

Nine years on from the album Agaetis Byrjun, which first introduced most of us to the unique and ethereal outpourings of Sigur Ros, there's a feeling that album number five marks a crossroads in the band's career.

Possibly through no fault of their own, the band have morphed from purveyors of eclectic, almost difficult arrangements into the soundtrackers of movies, TV theme tunes and sporting events.

It's not easy to see whether this drastic change is due to Sigur Ros moving gradually toward the mainstream or perhaps a little movement the other way but whatever the realities, there's no denying that the arrival of a new album is no longer the exhilarating experience it once was.

Everything seems to be in place and especially on the second half of 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' (which, perhaps unfortunately, translates to 'With a Buzz in our Ears We Play Endlessly') there's no doubt that the band have not strayed massively from their trademark atmospheric music. 

There's something almost vaguely comforting about this, but for bands seeking to stay on the creative side of artistry, comfort is perhaps not the best of ideas.

There are a few notable diversions on the new album, tracks one and two 'Gobbledigook' and 'Inní mér syngur vitleysingur' mark a new direction for the band, the album was the first recorded outside their native Iceland and for the first few minutes you sense an infusion of human life into Sigur Ros' music. Whereas Takk felt as though it was inspired by the elements of a powerful earth and created almost musical equivalents 'Gobbledigook' bounces with the kind of animation the band have not quite achieved before.

Equally 'Inní mér syngur vitleysingur' sounds like the hustle and bustle of a jaunt through modern life, barely stopping to admire the landscapes.

The other notable track is the album's closer, 'All Alright' which marks the band's debut in the English Language. You will have to strain to make out the vocals which still echo around with the prolonged delivery we've become used to, but nonetheless this is a rare chance to peer into the thought behind the music.

So despite being a flawed album there's much to pique the interest on this latest release. Whilst not reaching the creative highs of their previous albums there's enough new thinking to lift them above the one trick ponies they could easily have lapsed into.

Rating:  6 / 10

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