( )

( ) is Sigur Ros' fourth, and most succesful album. It is one of the most known albums in post-rock! The album is most known for it's use of lead singer Jonsi's made up language, Hopelandic, consisting of one 11 syllable sentence. All of the album's tracks have no names and are titled Untitled 1-8.

Untitled 1 is a soft post-rock piece beginning with a beautiful piano line in 10/4. For 2 minutes instruments join in and out until the vocals start. This only band that reminds me of this song is Sigur Ros, for this is their unique style and no post-rock band draws near. The song does not really evolve anywhere but it is very beautiful and calming.

Untitled 2 and 3 are very slow tracks. They fit in with the whole surreal and floating vibe of the album quite well. I can't say I enjoyed them as well as I did 1, but they are fantastic as well.

Untitled 4 is the ending of one "side" of the album. It is a more uplifting song, and more guitar based than the previous tracks. The whole song is filled with reverb, again, to give it an airy feel. Once the vocals start, I can literally feel as if I am floating. This song is like the feeling of hope if it were music. Best track out of this album, hands down.

After untitled 4, a 36 second silence is heard, and then the darker, sadder, side of the album, is heard.

Untitled 5 opens with a very slow (around 30 BPM) organ chord sequence for around 2 minutes, then the vocals kick in. It feels like the aftermath of an apocalypse, if nobody is left alive but you. You cry for help as no one hears and the beautiful organ sounds in the background. A few minutes later, the drums join, but they are very laid back and are not very loud in the mix. The song is still very organ based, very floaty. Few more minutes later, and the band goes into an amazing, beautiful, tearjerking climax, before seguing into the next song.

Untitled 6 is very reminiscent of Untitled 5, in terms of feel. It again feels very dark and empty, very emotional. Jonsi's emotional vocals fill the airy mood together with the E-bowed guitar which give it a very spacey feel. I know I have said it many times, but as this is Sigur Ros, the main thing about their music is space. After some 4 minutes, the drums, that were previously very quiet, enter into a climax-like drum moment, before returning to the song's quiet verse. Near the ending, the song, does indeed climax, and leaves a lone synthesizer note that segues into Untitled 7.

Untitled 7 and 8 are very similar, both musically and in terms of song structure. They both have a very similar chord sequence, powered by heavy organs in the background and Jonsi's powerful vocals. Both songs go into short climaxes during the middle before going into their final climax halfway in. These songs are part of the more dull side of the album, but still pretty enjoyable.

Overall, I give ( ), the post-rock masterpiece, 4 out of 5 stars.