Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artrock | Heft: Jahrgang 2013, eclipsed Nr. 151 / 6-2013 | VÖ-Jahr: 2013 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Beggars | Autor: MaB
Sigur Rós in a mood of upheaval: after the convincing predecessor work "Valtari" and the departure of keyboarder Kjartan Sveinsson, the Icelanders on "Kveikur" (candle wick) apparently want to radically distance themselves from their past. It is no different to explain that Jónsi Birgisson (voc, g) and his colleagues confront the listener at the opener "Brennisteinn" with harsh industrial sounds, which are, however, cushioned by an uplifting refrain and a concluding ramble through ambient landscapes. Nevertheless, "Kveikur" is clearly identifiable as a Sigur Rós work, since the wind and string instruments frequently used in the past were not rationalized away: All they have to do is assert themselves against the electronic sounds, and in "Hrafntinna" they finally get the upper hand. In addition, Sigur Rós have also become more rhythmic and danceable, e.g. in "Ísjaki" (with glockenspiel), the suspiciously calm "Yfirborð" and the pop "Stormur" - here the exuberance that the band sprayed between 2005 and 2008 can be felt again. "Kveikur" is an interesting new beginning in which the typical Sigur Rós sunshine moments are not neglected.
Top track: Brennisteinn
