Sigur Ros, Takk… (2005)
Yes, my friends, there is musical life in Iceland beyond Bjork. One band that seems to be taking hold in the U.S. is Sigur Ros, an Icelandic quartet known for composing for several dance companies and independent films. I consider myself a fairly open-minded music consumer, but I must admit I found this album, well…weird, at first. The lyrics are all in Icelandic, but I barely noticed, as the instrumentals are really the focus of most tracks. After listening for a while, I can see how the album would make a pleasant soundtrack for yoga or a bubble bath; the tracks flow seamlessly from one song into the next, and the sound ranges from rich and orchestral to light and airy. Other reviews call the music "ambient," "interstellar," "burbling," and "aimless webs of sound." While these are all appropriate descriptions, I think the Icelandic music can be summed up as weird...in a good way.
- Recommended by Abbe Spokane, Culture Club Assistant Editor

Back to top