Issue #30 - Winter 2010 - Vampire WeekendJónsi
Go
XL
Mar 18, 2010
Jónsi
The thing about Sigur Rós: It sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before. The thing about Sigur Rós bandleader Jónsi’s solo album: It sounds like Sigur Rós… only stronger. Originally conceived as an acoustic outing, the project blossomed into a melodramatic cinema-scope soundscape-thanks, in no small part, to composer Nico Muhly’s (Grizzly Bear, Antony & the Johnstons, Björk) dense orchestration. Despite fostering a desire to discuss the album in terms of woodland creatures and slow motion sunsets, we are all the better for art this powerful and moving.
Without falling into retread, Jónsi has managed to maintain his main project’s original appeal. Even casual listens reveal that “Grow Till Tall” has more than a bit of Ágætis Byrjun in its pedigree. “Tornado” sounds like a stripped-down track from Takk… while album closer “Hengilis” could pass as a () B-side with vocals.
However, while Go could easily sit on the same shelf as any Sigur Rós creation, it feels set apart. With his regular co-conspirators on break, Jónsi has fearlessly followed his muse, crafting songs filled with brighter colors and more accessible emotions. This isn’t music solely aimed at the gnomes of his native Iceland; this is music for the people. From the joyfully percussive opener “Go Do” to the foreboding “Kolnidur,” to “Boy Lilikoi"s desperate longing for transcendence, Go is waiting to retroactively score your most intensely held memories. Nearly three-quarters of the album is in English (should you be the kind of person who requires understandable words in your personal themes)-but with lyrics delivered with Jónsi’s child-like wonderment, linguistics scarcely factor in. The notable exception to this is “Animal Arithmetic,” whose rapid-fire list of daily rituals highlight near ecclesiastical bliss in the mundane. A remarkable accomplishment on nearly every level, Jónsi has made an album that doesn’t just illuminate, but also elevates. (www.jonsi.com)
Author rating: 8/10
Average reader rating: 9/10
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Comments
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April 5th 2010
4:05pm
I have never been more excited about the release of an album and when I finally got it, it exceeded my expectations. This album, without question, is one of the most amazing works released by a recording artist in years. 10/10
July 23rd 2010
10:53pm
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January 10th 2011
11:43am
Go is not a record one would refer to as “badass.” In fact, if one were able to qualify what the opposite of badass would be, one could refer to Go as that. There should be nothing surprising, or even insulting, in this; Go is absolutely everything one would expect from Jónsi—and if one has no expectations of Jónsi, “Rolex Prices”
February 22nd 2011
1:21pm
thanks for sharing the very informative article .its very interesting keep posting informative material
saltwater aquarium
April 21st 2011
8:52pm
Great things you’ve always shared with us. Just keep writing this kind of posts.The time which was wasted in traveling for tuition now it can be used for studies.Thanks
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July 19th 2011
8:13am
thanks for the sharing keep up the good work
September 28th 2011
12:59pm
I AM excited about the release of an album . i know on this time your album will be most amazing .
December 13th 2011
12:23pm
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Many thanks
Fish oil
July 14th 2016
10:16am
that she prefers Derek, but when she read the second book, she changed har opinion. I do – at the moment – prefer Derek, I can’t explain why, I just do.I just wanted to coutragnlate you for your creativity and hope that you keep writing books like this, because, if you do, you can count on me to continue to be your fan.Ps.: I’m sorry about any english mistake, but I’m not that good at english, and sorry about the perfil, because I can’t put my real name, but I hope that you believe that what I tell you is the truth.