Sigur Ros
( )
(Fat Cat)

In an attempt to write a profound statement with regards to Sigur Ros' third album simply titled (), I merely wept. I know that sounds a bit emo, and I'll be the first to admit a blatant lack of masculinity did wash over me during the first listen (and the rest of the listens), and I was forced to shut the lights off and let the record permeate through my house, my head, and my heart. And how does an Icelandic rock band devise percussive arrangements and melodic orchestration in the same vein as those darkest of classical composers? I can only guess that some blessed individuals are given unadulterated insight regarding orchestral endeavors.
On "Ageatis Byrjun", Sigur Ros' former release, I recall how beautifully orchestrated and well developed their ideas were. Then I, feebly, attempted to distinguish the lyrics and found that to be an impossibility. They're from Iceland. They speak Icelandic. Yet the record sounds so good, and his voice is borderline angelic. All I really want is to know what he is saying. In the immortal words of the Rolling Stones, you can't always get what you want. ( ) is a righteous creation of emotion and complexity. There's a lot going on within the 1's and 0's on this disc, and I intend to find out just how deep it really goes.

-Jeff