With a career that spans some 17 years so far, Iceland’s best export have decided to do a retrospective of sorts. Sigur Rós announced an indefinite hiatus in 2010, and that coupled with lead singer Jónsi Birgisson’s emergence as a solo artist left their future uncertain. Thankfully they are back.
Their profile has risen steadily in the States ever since they released their debut, Von, back in 1997, an album that transcended the sublime and made Jónsi and his voice the stuff of indie legend. Since then each successive release has added more and more to the bands sound, grand string arrangements and horns are now standard fare to accompany Birgisson’s ethereal falsetto. Most recently on 2005’s Takk… and 2008’s Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust you might even say they’ve become a rock ‘n’ roll band.
For purists, Inni will serve as a refreshing, raw slice of the band. Aside from the four piece set up of guitar, bass, drums and piano there isn’t much else to distract from Brigisson and his stunning vocals, which in a live setting, stripped of the polished finish of the studio, really soar. The collection of songs here was recorded in 2008 at London’s Alexandra Palace and is being released as a double-live companion to the concert film of the same name. Though there is only one new song included, fans and newcomers should find something to like about Inni.
Anyone familiar with the bands back catalog will recognize most of these songs as the standard Sigur Rós hits. "Svefn-g-englar", "Glosoli", "Hoppípolla", "Festival", and "Sæglópur" are some of their most well known songs. When played live, especially with the sparse set up the band employed here, they really bang. If nothing else it will spark your interest in seeing them live for yourself. The lone new track to make an appearance, "Lúppulagið", closes out the set. It is a sublime, dreamy cut; more in tune with the bands early work and perhaps indicative of the direction they’re headed again.
For someone unfamiliar with Sigur Rós, Inni will offer a nice entry point. The songs here cover the broad range of their sound and showcase the staggering beauty of Jónsi’s voice and their raw energy on stage. But, for someone in the know it will serve as little more than temporary pacification. Luckily the band has announced a tour in 2012 and a new album that they described as ‘floaty and minimal’, which, coming from them, could mean almost anything. Inni provides the band with a chance to take a breather and hopefully prepare for another 17 years of celestially rocking your socks off.
Grade: B-
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