J�nsi
'Go' EMI Well, you may not understand some of the lyrics but it doesn't matter. What an amazing album. You learn from Go Do that you can do anything, and from Boy Lilikoi you suspect he wants to be a unicorn, but other than that you can take from this album whatever you need. Music is a universal language - we've all heard that before. But this album proves it in a different sense. You don't need to understand most of what he's saying to feel the underlying emotion in each track. Now this may be a slight exaggeration; the more you listen to it, the more lyrics you can pick up. But certainly over the first couple of listens I had no idea what he was saying, and yet I could grasp the meaning. Most of you will know J�n p�r Birgisson [vocals, sampler, guitar, piano, ukulele and glockenspiel, as well as writer and co-producer] from the internationally-appreciated Sigur R�s, who in January announced a break from their Icelandic alternative-post-rock band [if you will] to pursue solo careers. It's paid off for Birgisson, and I'm sure the rest of them will hold their ground. The best comparisons I can give you are probably his fellow Icelander Bj�rk, although Birgisson has a voice that more people will be able to enjoy. The use of various instruments in each track, and the editing, are in tune with that of genius self-editing singer/songwriter Patrick Wolf. Go Do is one of the best openings to an album in a long time, which sets the scene for a disc that you only need listen to once to fall in love with - a feat that usually requires at least two or three good sessions. Animal Arithmetic kicks off with what I'm going to assume is the glockenspiel - though don't quote me - which is but a selection in a stunning array of instruments which holds within it a bassoon, an oboe and horn, a French horn, a celest�, kalimba and harp along with your givens - viola, cello, double bass etc. It's almost unnecessary to state that the album finishes with a sobering bequest, Hengil�s. Please, do yourself a favor and listen to this album.  |
Issue 493
Music
