New Sigur Ros- is this a joke?

For Oct 22 2002 release:
Bowie, David
The Best of Bowie.

If that wasn't funny enough, get this:

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In Bowie style, 16 different countries will get 16 different versions of the best-of disc -- all formatted to songs that were the most popular in each country.

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I guess Canada's getting just an EP with only Suffragette City, Fame and Young Americans.

Mike.
Big Bowie fan.

[This message was edited by Mike Sae on TUESDAY 22 October 2002 at 04:06.]

The album is called '()' which immediately presents a problem in how to ask for it in a record shop ("Parentheses", "Open bracket, close bracket"?). The tracks are untitled and indeed the album cover apparently has no actual writing on it at all just some vague symbols. You are note meant to write your own lyrics but I believe teh cover is made of tracing paper of some sort and you are supposed to add your own designs as you see fit. Their studio is indeed a converted swimming pool.

I am reminded of the review which said "Of course its pretentious art wank but I like art and i like wanking".

You should definitely go to the gig. I couldn't go to the London gig and have been regretting it ever since. Some friends went to the Dublin gig and described it as "special".

Matthew

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The album is called '()' which immediately presents a problem in how to ask for it in a record shop ("Parentheses", "Open bracket, close bracket"?).

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It’s actually got a space between the brackets, so you need to ask for “Open bracket, space, close bracket” otherwise your poor record shop won’t have a clue what you are on about…

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I am reminded of the review which said "Of course its pretentious art wank but I like art and i like wanking".

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A review of the first Deus album I believe.

Tony.

Who is also regretting never getting to see Sigur Ros live…

Tix bought for Nov 27 @ 32 CDN each. I guess
there won't be any singing along at this one.

I would really like to see Bowie live, but rumour has it he's too addicted to the internet to bother.

Tony,

is Foetus actually any good?
I saw a Foetus remix album featuring Amon Tobin of all people. Wanted to try it but figured I'd ask first.


Kit,

I don't get it.

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is Foetus actually any good?
I saw a Foetus remix album featuring Amon Tobin of all people. Wanted to try it but figured I'd ask first.

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Hit and miss IMHO. I really like the albums ‘Hole’ and ‘Nail’, and a couple of the 12” singles are good, but it does sound pretty dated to me now – very 80s technology. The thing that lifts the two albums I mention is the lyrics; funny, sick, outrageous, but just before the industrial / sick thing all became a bit to clichéd.

I usually approach remix albums with caution, and almost never buy them unless I am familiar with the original material – For instance I’d hate someone’s first introduction to Can to be the remix album ‘Sacrilege’ as IMHO without exception every version is worse than the original cut!

Tony.

Mike.
If you have the opportunity, check Sigur ros out.
They were playing in Stockholm this week. Sold out. Didn´t get a ticket. The concert got good reviews from the press. Interesting band, not shure if they are as good live as on record.

It would surprise me if Bowie wouldn´t tour, has made quite a few promo live appearences.

Gunnar

>> This is a bit tricky for some, Matthew but try asking for "The new Sigur Ros album." <<

That is a quite brilliant solution John. If only I had your wit and imagination!

Matthew

"Interesting band, not shure if they are as good live as on record."

Hard to imagine but when I saw them last year, I reckon they were even better live than on disc. One of the all-time best gigs

I seem to recall Matthew had a ticket but missed the gig because of some girly date or somesuch poor excuse.

Timo

So has anyone heard it? Is it any good?

David

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Originally posted by David Hobbs-Mallyon:
So has anyone heard it? Is it any good?

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What kind of Nuño question is that?

Herman

(just passing by)

It was a little underwhelming at first and is undoubtedly a little less obviously spectacular and impressive than 'ágætis byrjun' but its been growing on me all week and I really like it. Its a lot leaner with less of the huge orchestrated wall of sound thing but still has that epic feel feel. It has shades of Low at times to my mind, especially in the drumming, and has a similar minimal but monumental feel. Also like Low its spectacularly miserable but in a spiritual and uplifting manner. Overall If you liked the previous two albums I'm pretty sure you'd like this one.

Downloadable samples, a complete track and album info can be found at http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/band/disco/parenth.html

Matthew

PS The tracks are apparently officially untitled but when I put it on my PC Winamp got track names from CDDB -- specifically 'Vaka', 'Fyrsta', 'Samskeyti', 'Njosnavelin', 'Alafoss', 'E-Bow', 'The Death Song' and 'The Pop Song'. I have idea where these names come from.

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What kind of Nuño question is that?

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c'mon Herman,

If I'd come up with twenty variations on whether I should buy either the new Sigur Ros or the new Coldplay you might have a point.

David

Thanks Matthew.

Had a listen, and hmmmmmm not sure. I see what you mean about not being as obviously spectacular.

Herman you must have seen that Nuño moment coming.

Perhaps I'll reappraise in a week.

David

[This message was edited by David Hobbs-Mallyon on THURSDAY 31 October 2002 at 15:13.]

I bought this (my most eagerly anticipated album of this year) on Monday. Since then it has been glued into the personal stereo and thrust into any system I’ve passed on my travels. It is bloody hard to describe the sound of Sigur Ros, they are that most rare of things, a totally original band – you are in no doubt who it is within a second or two. I am in absolutely no doubt that Iceland is in fact another planet. This is a truly unique album, and one that will prove a hell of a challenge to describe in words…

[click] – it starts with a click. The first four tracks are quite restrained, quiet, delicate, almost a hint of Radiohead at their head firmly up their own arse best, but with a directness that is impossible to achieve in such a position. There is a honesty and emotional connection, a real passion to this music that will make me fling something at the TV screen when it ends up being used as the backing music to a fucking gardening program, which believe me it will…

[30 seconds of silence]

The final four tracks are more what was anticipated (well at least anticipated by me), the drum kit is more prominent, and the shards of perfectly tuned bowed guitar are more evident. The momentum grows. The whole is pretty much wedge shaped, track one starts quiet, and consistently builds to the most full tilt crescendo by track eight. There are perhaps hints at early Floyd / Tangerine Dream at both bands absolute space rock peak – at one point I reckon you could mix in Saucer full of secrets with relative ease and hardly notice it, though unlike most albums it would not be improved by this action. It is amazing. It ends with a click. [click]

The two halves, I guess that’s the ‘(‘ and ‘)’ sit perfectly together, one is not stronger than the other, and after repeated listening they actually seem to grow closer together. The wordless lyrics make total sense.

It is so obviously between this and Lambchop’s Is a woman for album of this year – they are so far ahead of any competition I’ve heard it is pointless adding any other contenders to the list…

Tony.

PS Is it prog rock? Please tell me its not.

I've not heard the album. I've Aegis whatever-its-called (love it)...

have seen them live (supporting Radiohead in their trouser-tent tour in Europe) - they're great. Mike, you should not miss them!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Yes, they have made the best record this year (so far) Imo.
Btw The name sigur ros, I would translate to english as: the rose of victory.

Gunnar

On further listening over the weekend I've changed my mind and have decided its actually rather dull. Ok its dull in a very stylish way but overall its still really quite boring for long stretches. Its still a decent enough album with some undeniably beautiful moments but its not remotely as good as the previous album IMHO.

There I've said it.

Matthew

PS And Track 7 sounds exactly like Radiohead. I mean not similar or reminscent but exactly like Radiohead.

.....is it 'conceptual bullshit' or 'great art'?

I'll have a listen this weekend. So many new albums!

Regards

Stephen

Listened to the new album last night (couldn't wait). I really like it. It's more 'filmic' and ambient than the last, but the textures are beautiful and the orchestrations interesting. It really feels like a band from the Northlands



Regards

Stephen

And Tony, yes - It's prog. But in the 'Radiohead/Air/Mercury Rev/ is prog ' way.

PS - Did you ever know the 'Better Mousetrap' guys?

I'm now totally of the view that its a good album but way, way below the standard of the previous one.

"...is it 'conceptual bullshit' or 'great art'?"

Well certainly the songs that are left unamed for artistic reasons have actually had perfectly good names while they were being played on tour for the last two years.

Matthew

...blank by statement, design, or 'couldn't be arsenessed'

It's bleak up north

Regards

Stephen

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On further listening over the weekend I've changed my mind and have decided its actually rather dull.

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I've listened to it 3 times on my Walkman and come to precisely the same conclusion. Agreeing with Matthew about music? Whatever next?
John

"I just meant the cover"

I actually quite like the cover.

"Agreeing with Matthew about music? Whatever next?"

Voting Labour?

Matthew

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Voting Labour?

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The likelyhood of that happening is similar to the probablility of West Ham winning at home.
John