Concert Review: Sigur Ros at United Palace

The whole time I was sitting there watching these guys, I was thinking that I needed to remember the three S's to describe them. So now, a week later I'm scratching my head...wtf are the three S's? My own little mnemonic device doesn't even work. Here is my best guess:

Syncopation: Have you ever noticed in Sigur Ros how often it sounds like there really isn't a beat? I think I have it figured out (I was trying way to hard before, and not surprisingly, I was wrong). They very rarely start on the first beat of a measure. So its not like they are writing their songs in seven or something bizarre and unnecessary. Really, they just always start on the second and fourth beats of the measures. I only realized this by watching one of the band members bob his head up and down and obviously, I could be completely wrong. This really lends to the ethereal quality of their sound.

Suspense: There is more suspense in Sigur Ros than anyone I have ever seen. At the show, there was a pause in one song that lasted so long that I seriously wasn't sure if the song was over. Granted, I am not that familiar with all of the albums, but it felt like the pause was well over a minute. And even with their more subtle suspense, they tend to hold their notes, and extend their passages for much longer than a normal band. I think they take a lot of roots in classical and traditional music. Suspense will always attract attention, and their suspense is usually not overt, but subtle, so you find yourself on the edge of the seat, digging your fingernails in. But why? Because they use tonal suspense and rhthmic suspense together. Very cool.

Symbolism: The song that really defined the performance for me is one that I hadn't heard, and couldn't describe. All of the musicians got up and sat together in a cluster and all of the lights in the house went off. As each player began to play his instrument, a single light bulb would light up. In other words, each instrument completed a circuit while it was actively producing sound and when the instrument wasn't being played, the light bulb was off because the circuit was broken. I know this sounds lame: 4 light bulbs turning on and off as the song progressed. But the light bulbs were such a visual representation of the energy of music. They symbolized the levels and depths, as the lights would flicker, the sound would grow and cease. It was beautiful. BTW, this is the song where I realized how heavily they rely on syncopation. Something about being able to see exactly which sound each artist was producing showed me. I was completely in awe of the simplicity, and how their music seems so complicated, but really, it amounts to many many layers of simple music.

At the end when everyone stood for the encore, I felt like they could have played something a little more active to leave us feeling high. But. It was still a very unique experience, completely unlike most of the shows that I see (i.e. sweaty, crowded, dark). They also employ such unique methods of creating sound. The whole thing was quite impressive.

Agreed?


<3 The Elephant

Sigur Ros and Bjork Duet at Nattura

I picked up on this from the Music Slut but it sort of quasi-illustrates those light orbs...except this is daytime, so not nearly as dramatic. Also, sound and video quality could be a bit better. Nonetheless worth watching.






<3 The Elephant

Record Review: Sigur Ros: með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

As I have mentioned, I was never a huge Sigur Ros fan, I just never quite got it. I also did the same thing with Radiohead, it took me until In Rainbows to catch on. I know that this is embarrassing, so lets move away from this point. I heard Gobbledigook first on Stereogum, and was instantly enamored.

"With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly" is a perfect title for this album. Every beat, every second, every chord leads to emotional swells, cooing, and chiming. My initial reaction to this album was that it felt like a soundtrack. For me at least, a good soundtrack stands alone, telling a story through the drudging of feelings and expressions. Although that is the goal of most albums, I think with soundtracks the emotions are stronger because of the concrete narration. This album doesn't need the storyline. It tells us a tale much more powerfully than a simple soundtrack. I find myself soaringly at peace with this album. As it rolls forth, unfolding is magical streams of sound I have that happy little warmth in my chest that a really good album brings out. I forget sometimes what thats like, as I have only experienced it handful of times. The orchestration is especially laudable because it is done seamlessly with the choral layering. Some highlights (outside of Gobbledigook) include the second track Inni mer syngur vitleysingur, Su i eryum and Festival. These are all dynamic and heart wrenching in their own way. Needless to say, I am not describing the full body experience that you will get from lying in your bed listening to this album, cover to cover, so to speak. No interruptions, just absorbing the subtleties of organs and voices. Please buy this album, and enjoy every rich morsel of it.

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is out 6/24 in North America 6/24 via XL.

<3 The Elephant

New Sigur Ros Album

From OneLastDrinkTonight

I'm planning to write a full review later, but my initial impression is that it sounds like a movie soundtrack...no? What do you all think?

Holy Shit, Sigur Ros

Totally NSFW...seriously

I have never had the deep, heartfelt feelings for Sigur Ros that many other people seem to have. Those days are over, sista. Click here, and check out their new single. Its is AMAZING. Also, their album artwork is by Ryan McGinley, who recently had a show of nudes here in NY. Anyway, if anyone sends me a leak, I will happily write a full review. Sigur Ros plays 6/16 at the Grand Ballroom.

með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly) is out 6/23 worldwide and 6/24 in North America via XL.

<3 The Elephant

P.S. Sort of reminds me of AU