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Saeglopur

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Reviewgium - Volume I, issue XVIII

This is an EP/DVD package from Icelandic post-rock band Sigar Rós based on the "Sæglópur" single from the previously released album, Takk.... The songs on this EP, as most other songs by the band, are uplifting and imaginative, relying heavily on instrumental passages and backgrounds that include piano, strings, chimes, and often abrupt, heavy guitar sections. Also, the majority of the lyrics are in the contrived Hopelandic language, an innovative gimmick of the band that seems to be kind of hit-or-miss with listeners.

The CD half of the package features a slightly extended version of the title track, and three new songs. These include "Refur," a slow, instrumental piano melody; "Ó Fridur," a harmonious track that uses piano, winds, and strings to seemingly create a musical equivalent of walking through a large country meadow during a spring rainshower; and "Kafari," a charming, percussive song that, for me, seems to continue the theme of "Ó Fridur" as if--walking through that rainy meadow--you discovered a pristine brook in its midst that no one ever knew was there.

The DVD contains three videos for the songs "Sæglópur," "Hoppipolla," and "Glósóli," all three of which are very good, and the latter of which is nothing short of spectacular. The thing that makes these better than typical music videos is that they actually CONTRIBUTE artistically to the music, and their ambiguous imagery leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer.

I assume that most dedicated Sigur Rós fans already have this release, and if not, it is definitely worth picking up. If you have never heard of Sigur Rós, they are definitely worth looking into if you are in the mood for something different. I would suggest starting with one of their full-length releases before buying this, but if you become a fan of the band, you definitely should not miss out on this package.

It's only been a year since Sigur Ros's last full-length album "Takk," and yet... somehow I miss them.

Fortunately, to tide fans over, Sigur Ros has released "Sæglópur," an EP with accompanying DVD, as a sort of sequel to "Takk." It's not mind-blowing, but it is a pleasant little collection that fans will enjoy as they await whatever sonic prettiness Sigur Ros will create in future.

The title track opens with some odd creaks and croaking noises, as if someone left the mike out in the grass at night. Then the delicate, airy piano melodies begin, following Sigur Ros's pattern of slow buildup and expansive middle section -- the epic sonic sweep of "Sæglópur" is only upped by the dreamy outro that fades away.

It's followed by similarly pretty songs that are very much in their past style -- the low-key "Refur," which is barely long enough to count as a full song, and the hesitant violin shimmers of the eerie "O Fridur," which may be the most inventive song here. The EP finally rounds off with the lulling, ambient "Kafari," which almost sent me to sleep.

If anything critical can really be said, it's that "Sæglópur's" songs would work better as part of an album, rather than as odds and ends. But taken for themselves, the songs are quite nice and pretty, with that eerie, icy edge that Sigur Ros have turned into a trademark, along with Jonsi's otherworldly vocals and not-in-any-real-language singing.

The DVD includes three music videos: "Glosoli"opens with a drummer boy sitting by the seashore, and whose drumming draws other children to follow him over the snowy fields and mountains of Iceland, to a Peter Pannish finale -- which would sound trite normally, but which is done with an innocent sense of wonder.

"Hoppipola" is a sort of hand-cam video, and the weakest of the three -- basically a gang of old people acting like little children, though it has its cute moments (like that little kiss). And "Sæglópur" is the darkest of them, with sort of a twisted magical-realism/horror vibe. And an octopus.

This is basically a few odds and ends left over, but it's quite well done, and the music videos are a nice accompaniment. A nice addition for fans of the band.

I love Sigur Ros, so this disc set was a great buy. The music videos are fun and beautiful at the same time.

Sigur Ros continue to surprise me. Here on this EP, I believe they have written one of their most haunting and beautiful songs, O Fridur. While I like the EP as a whole and it works very well, it's O Fridur that stands out here. This song is nothing short of extraordinary. The string and overall song arrangements are quite sophisticated for such relatively young men. O Fridur's arrangement shimmers and flutters with haunting but beautiful and gentle tension. It's the type of song that plays in my head long after I've actually listened to it.

I think EPs are a great format. Sigur Ros certainly understand the art form of the EP and is a band that should release EPs more often. I would love to see them release new songs in box set of 5 or 6 EPs. I would think it would be difficult to place 10 to 12 songs together into a cohesive mix and obviously an EP allows a better chance at reaching continuity and thematic insight.

The song choices were impeccable and any omission of any one of these songs would have stripped this EP of its power and grace.