Sigur Rós - Kveikur (2013)

1 Brennisteinn
2 Hrafntinna
3 Ísjaki
4 Yfirborð
5 Stormur
6 Kveikur
7 Rafstraumur
8 Bláþráður
9 Var

Drop date is June 17th.

The song in the video below, which is the opening track, the last 3 minutes are pretty sweet. But the 1st 4:40+, some of the comments about this *new* direction for them, which I interpret as them more or less combining shoegaze and industrial sounds, being a good *new* direction, I can't say I agree with.

But then again, Valtari and I'd estimate most of what they've done since () has been somewhat predictable and underwhelming. Sans for the Heima film, although that was more of the film itself, rather than the music alone.

However, with another new record, these guys are getting rather prolific, along with Jonsi solo record a few years ago, I wonder if they are suffering a bit from the The Flower Kings/Omar Rodriguez-Lopez disease in that just because you've written and recorded music, doesn't necessarily mean it's the best work you can make right now. I.e., maybe they could use a (new/outside) producer?

Someone like Rick Rubin or Brian Eno perhaps?

Anyway, I'll hopefully get to check this out, although I said the same about Valtari last year, and I maybe listened to it twice. And I actually spent even more time listening to music last year, as opposed to this year thus far, I have not spent even 2/3 the amount of time with new music sadly, yet.

Sigur Rós - Valtari (2012)

Ég Anda (“I Breathe”)
Ekki Múkk (“Not a Peep”)
Varúð (“Caution”)
Rembihnútur (“Double Knot”)
Dauðalogn (“Dead Calm”)
Varðeldur (“Campfire”)
Valtari (“Roller”)

their homepage here has "Ekki Múkk (Not a Peep)" streamable


Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk from Sigur Rós on Vimeo.

Release date is May 28th.

Jonsi has been rather prolific in recent years, along with the band. I recall posting before how I've always liked them, but at the same time, never found them addictive. Although I think the Hipsters have overrated them a bit in recent years. Their last record was okay at best. Takk was a little better. And those last two definitely aren't at the same level as () and Ágætis byrjun.

Plus the soundtrack Inni last year which I honestly never got around to hearing, nor seeing sadly. It was at St. Anthony Main for only 1 week and I wanted to go, but the timing didn't allow me to.

I expect the Hipsters to claim this better than anything in 2012, at least for awhile, which sadly, may end up detracting from my interest. But maybe this one will be an exception.

link

Sigur Ros have announced full details of their new studio album 'Valtari', which will be released in May.

The Icelandic band, who have now returned from an ''indefinite hiatus'', will release the follow-up to 2008's 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' on May 28.

The record contains a total of seven tracks, with the band yet to state whether they will be releasing any songs ahead of the album's full release.

Sigur Ros will play their first UK show for four years at this summer's Bestival in September. They are also booked for festivals in Canada, France, Japan and Ireland.

Bestival will take place from September 6–9 at Robin Hill Park on the Isle Of Wight. For more information about the event, see Bestival.net. New Order and Stevie Wonder will headline the festival.

Sigur Ros' last release was 'Inni', a concert film and live album, which came out in November. It documented the group's final two shows of their last world at London's Alexandra Palace.