Sigur Ros
Ny Batteri
(Fat Cat)
Like their Svefn-G-Englar release, this is a 4-track single release that contains one song from their Icelandic-import only album Agaetis Byrjun, as well as three other tracks. Also once again, the group shows that they may be one of the most important upcoming bands out there, with songs that are stirring and beautiful, and a language that needn't be understood to make sense.
Bookending the disc are two instrumental tracks, and the one leading off things ("Rafmagnid Buid") is piece that begins with the light touch of a piano, but soon progresses into an almost droning piece with little flutters of brass that actually do sound like the communication of whales underwater or perhaps the distant call of foghorns heard by weary travellers lost at sea. It leads into things beautifully and mixes directly into the title track of the disc. With some of the same sounds from the previous track holding over, eventually a bass weaves its way into the mix along with some delicate keyboards. Lead singer Jonski Birgisson's ethereal vocals come in as well, but the track drifts along until the feedback laden drums come crashing into the mix. The group lets off the drums every so often, building the tension ever so slightly before dropping them in again. By the end, the track reaches a blaring crescendo as the drums, horns, vocals, and bass collide for a beautiful dissonance.
The final two tracks on the release come from tracks that the group composed for the film Angels Of The Universe, and the first one ("Bium Bium Bambalo") sweeps along like sort of a funeral march. With droning guitars and the light touch of what sounds like a vibraphone, Birgisson's vocals are somber and dreamy at the same time. Although it sort of picks up near the end, it is the final track that takes the same sort of musical theme and pushes it into epic sonic territory. With a blast of keyboards, drums and guitars, the instrumental track is the prog rock track that everyone doing it in the 70s wish they could have written. Majestic and lush, it's the perfect way to end the short single.
It also leaves you begging for more, which is probably also the point. The group makes the bold claim on their website of: "We are not a band, we are music. We do not intend to become superstars or millionaires, we are simply gonna change music forever, and the way people think about music. And don't think we can't do it, we will." If they keep it up, I think they just might.
Rating: 8.25
