Kveikur
by Sigur Rós

It's not as big of a change as a lot of people think it is from the usual Sigur Ros, but you can easily point it out from the other album's sounds. My only problem is that a lot of the songs are shorter, and don't build up as much as other Sigur Ros songs; they are pretty immediate. But really most bands don't build up so I shouldn't be complaining. But the song Kveikur and Brennisteinn are the only two songs that I can say are really different from the usual Sigur Ros. But it's still very good and much better than Valtari in my opinion.

Best Sigur Ros record yet. I know.. how preposterous!? This album remains accessible while giving us this new tortured near-hellish type sound all while giving us glimmers of the blissful Sigur Ros we all know and love. This album is tighter thematically too (not sure how many people follow Sigur Ros lyrics considering "()"). There are so many sonic features on this album that should come off as gimmicky (transformer noises Michael Bay would be proud of, flawless harmonization with wolf howls) but are executed so god damn well I can't help but admit its actually awesome. Wow. (Edited)

I think it's their most cohesive and most accessible record they've ever done. It's weakness or maybe possibly strength is that it toggles between dark songs and very likeable pop-light songs. Both for Sigur ros is new ground and done very excellency just something in me would've wished they would've gone all out like The Beatles did with Sgt.Peppers/Magical Mystery Tour or Kid A by Radiohead. And another thing is I wish it was longer, a few more tracks would've made it entirely different statically and from the songs on this album from which there isn't a single bad spot. I honestly think they could've pulled it off, and trust me they already did it here so no loss at all. It's not a let down nor big excitement altogether for me but it's one of their best and fits quite nicely in their catalog.

PS. I wonder if they'll keep up the trend of making an album every year like from Valtari 2012 to Kveikur here 2013.

From sageamagoo TOP 100 COMMENTER 07/27/2013 03:54 | #82517 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

What an amazing new album! I've never heard their rhythm section this energized before... it's definitely a darker, more metal-influenced album, and much better than their last effort, Valtari.

But it's not just that... the way this album SOUNDS is superior to their past work. I mean, it's just so open and vibrant... I don't think I've heard an album as heavy as this sound so good!

That's not to say it lives up to the standards set by, say, Ágætis Byrjun, but hey, did you really think the band would be able to surpass that masterwork? For what it is, it's fantastic, even if I like some of their other albums more.

Looking at the track list, I understand why so many people love Brennistein and Kveikur... but why is everyone forgetting about Hrafntinna? It's just as good as the other two, and the soloumb brass funeral outro is one of the few moments on the album where things slow down and become introspective.

Anyway, really good album, highly recommended. One of the best this year.

94% is my rating. Just excellent. The band is getting really adventurous here and it's been awhile since we've heard a consistent rhythm section from them. Every track is marvelous.

My favorite albums from them:

1. Agaetis Byrjun
2. Kveikur
3. Valtari