Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Once upon a time, you knew exactly what you were getting with Sigur Ros. That is, otherwordly ambience, heavenly choirs, the tinkling of melting icicles and lyrics delivered in an inscrutable made-up elfin/Nordic tongue.
Their strength was in danger of becoming a weakness: if it was beauty you wanted, the Icelanders could measure it out and sell it by the yard. For better or worse, that's beginning to change. Their fifth album, to the horror of some of their adoring fans, actually contains a few melodies which one might tentatively describe as pop tunes. 'Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust' (approximate translation: 'With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly') boasts a broader quiet/loud dynamic than usual – as opposed to quiet/slightly less quiet. For example, "Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur" erupts volcanically, the way Sigur Ros songs rarely do. "Ara Batur" swells into a John Williams roll-the-credits version of "O Come All Ye Faithful" as it ends, and the drums on "Med Sud I Eyrum" are straight out of a historical drama. Less happily, "Vid Spilum Endalaust" is a bit too Coldplay. (Chris Martin is known to be a fan.) What Sigur Ros have lost in the ringing of fairy bells, they may just gain in the ringing of cash registers.
Pick of the Album: A rumble from Reykjavik: 'Med Sud I Eyrum'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments