Sigur Rós - Takk

Iceland, its pretty cold, its actually subpolar, folks that's COLD! So whats with the music, Bjork, Múm, Emiliana Torrini, and Sigur Rós? All of them warm, weird and wonderful and none more than Sigur Rós and nowhere is it more obvious in their back catalogue than on their gem from 2005, Takk.

Takk, Icelandic for Thank You was Sigur Rós' fourth album and quite possibly their best. Its still filled with songs no-one can pronounce properly or even hum, but all are memorable.

Hoppípolla, was used on a number of advertisements, such as BBC's Planet Earth series. It is a hugely uplifting experience from start to finish, and sees Sigur Rós highlighting their gift for soaring guitars without slipping into the usual deafening rock sound that so many other bands churn out in place of anything new.

That being said, Glósóli, (Glowing Soul) is a very loud song by the time it closes. The rich layered vocals and soft marching sound builds and builds throughout the song until it finaly explodes into a crescendo that crushes all before it.

Easily my favourite track on the album is Sæglópur, (Lost at Sea). The song almost feels claustrophobic and its video responds to this breathless feeling. It depicts a child drowning and being rescued, however we are left to wonder whether or not he survived.

The album has other wonderful moments on it, Sé lest, (I See a Train) is an ethereal moment with swirling piano taking the listener on a journey only Sigur Rós could take them on. Gong and Heysatan (Haystack) show the band at their introspective best.

We may not have a clue what they are saying, or how on earth he can sing that way but music like this will be remembered long after anyone even cares to ask.

Track Listing

1. "Takk..." (Thanks...) – 1:57
2. "Glósóli" (Glowing Sole) – 6:15
3. "Hoppípolla" (Hopping into puddles) – 4:28
4. "Með blóðnasir" (I have a nosebleed) – 2:17
5. "Sé lest" (I see a train) – 8:40
6. "Sæglópur" (Lost at sea) – 7:38
7. "Mílanó" (Milan) – 10:25
8. "Gong" (Gong) – 5:33
9. "Andvari" (Zephyr) – 6:40
10. "Svo hljótt" (So quietly) – 7:24
11. "Heysátan" (Haystack) – 4:09