Sigur Ros
( )
On Sale Now
For $13.75

No song titles. No liner notes. Hardly an album title. Simply music.

That is a broad overview of Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros's third album. What initially strikes the listener is this lack of information, this absence of description. Though it could easily be interpreted as pretension, the reality is that Sigur Ros have stripped away the artifice completely from record making and focused solely on the music. And great music it is. Their breakthrough second album, Agaetis Byrjun, was remarkably melodic and accessible, like a cosmic blend of Radiohead and the Cocteau Twins, with lyrics sung in "Hopelandish," a made up language blending Icelandic and incomprehensible sounds. That album sounded like it came from another world: with Jon Thor Birgisson's soaring vocals, beautifully bowed strands of crystal guitar feedback, and lush orchestrations, Agaetis Byrjun made other supposed space rock albums seem firmly grounded on Earth.

() takes much more time to truly absorb and understand than its predecessor. The first four tracks form an achingly beautiful movement of sorts. Long, repetitive melodies ebb and flow, the simplicity and gorgeousness of the music boiled down to its essence. Track four is the culmination of this first half, featuring an indescribably pretty aural motif that pleasantly embeds itself in your head. After a 30 second silence, part two begins. The second half of () is much rawer and heavier than the part one: blistering feedback, pounding drums, and impassioned vocal hollers mark this strange but highly rewarding portion of the album.

This album is not for everyone. It takes its time, running well over 70 minutes. () is certainly not appropriate for your next house party or trip to the gym either. However, if you just want to get lost in a lovely world of sound, () is perfect. Released on MCA, it is one of the oddest major label releases I've ever heard. But then again, maybe not, for in a musical world based on short attention spans and style over substance, () is actually only about the music. Strange indeed.

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