The sound of Iceland's experimental Sigur Ros first left an impression on me back in the late 90's when I heard a track from one of their first albums on a late night radio show. It was like nothing I had heard before. A mix between the piercing vocals of Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Gregorian chant. I don't really know. Anyway, it left an immediate impression and never went away. I always paid attention when I heard them mentioned from then on, but never managed to lay my hands on an album. Go figure.

With the release of their latest album "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" (literally meaning "With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly"), I was determined to finally own one.

What I have finally been able to experience is a dreamy and atmospheric series of soundscapes, supported by bouncy rhythms, and Jon Birgisson's soaring and sometimes heartbreaking falsetto. Dark minimalist tracks. Lush orchestral arrangements. Content is hard to pin down, due to the fact that lyrically Sigur Ros sticks to their native Icelandic tongue. That is, with the exception of their first all English track at the end of the album. The music is exceptional in its ability to move you emotionally. Even though I can't understand the lyrics, I've definitely become a fan. (via deepdiscount.com)

"Se há um grupo que gera sempre consenso em relação à sua genialidade são os Sigur Rós. Estes Islandeses conseguiram mesmo ser (...) hoje uma verdadeira referência."

:: passados quase três anos os sigur rós têm um novo álbum de originais ::

Never being a huge Sigur Ros fan, I managed to never give this album a solid in '08. However, I found myself listening to it and completely loving it here in the first few weeks of '09. Really, it should have been in my top '08 albums. It's peaceful and relaxing and, somehow, inspiring.