Sigur Rós
BY EMRE BERBEROĞLU (IR/III)
Valtari
Release Date: May 28, 2012
Label: Parlophone
Producers: Sigur Rós, Alex Somers
Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós released their sixth album, "Valtari," on May 28, 2012. One week prior to the release of the record, they carried out an amazing project called "Valtari Hour." On May 17, Sigur Rós streamed the album online through their official website, calling the event "a global 'valtari' listening party" and giving thousands of fans the chance to listen to the album before its release. 
The band also asked their fans to upload pictures to Instagram while they were listening, with the themes being "Valtari" and "Valtari Hour." The results were amazing, with lots of people uploading incredible pictures during the space of an hour.
"I really can't remember why we started this record, I no longer know what we were trying to do back then. I do know session after session went pear-shaped, we lost focus and almost gave up... did give up for a while. But then something happened and form started to emerge, and now I can honestly say that it's the only Sigur Rós record I have listened to for pleasure in my own house after we'[d] finished it." Georg Hólm, the bassist of Sigur Rós, describes the album on their website with these strange words. His mention of giving up refers to the well-known fact that Sigur Rós members were having a hard time writing new songs after their fifth album, "Meğ suğ í eyrum viğ spilum endalaust."
"Valtari" is Icelandic for "steamroller," although I think steamroller is a strong word to use as a title for an album this quiet. In fact, "Valtari" is possibly the quietest album Sigur Rós have ever done. There's only one song (“Varúğ”) that has some heavy drumming and powerful strings. The rest of the album doesn't offer much in the way of drums, which may disappoint some Sigur Rós fans. This doesn't mean that the band has failed to make a good post-rock album, however. In "Valtari," Sigur Rós have continued using their trademark sound.
Songs like "Ekki Múkk" and "Varğeldur" feature moving strings and powerful vocals by Jónsi. As always in the case of Sigur Rós's music, the vocals don't lead the songs -- they only help listeners come along on the ride, where they find themselves immersed in cinematic songs like "Valtari" and "Ég anda."
The quartet concludes their sixth album on a high note, with an astonishing track called "Fjögur piano." With its haunting chords, this is the most interesting song on "Valtari." Here, Sigur Rós get out of their comfort zone for the first time on the album. The strings and piano chords bring the song alive, and suddenly the listeners can hear how vivid this track really is.
The Bottom Line: Sigur Rós don't disappoint with "Valtari," but they also don't wow you. It's a safe album for the band, but I'm pretty sure the results they've gotten aren't that satisfactory to them, either.
Notable Tracks: "Ekki Múkk"; "Fjögur piano"; "Varğeldur"
Band's Website:
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