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This is a most interesting album from the master of the post rock genre, Sigur Ros. It was, in fact, the first post-rock album I purchased and it was far from what I expected. I was really surprised by how dark yet beautiful this album seems. Far from uplifting but artistically more than just satisfying, ( ) will always be the curious staple of the post- rock genre. This band embraces minimalism and excitement in such a way that can not be duplicated, but this album is not the best example of their work. I'll admit, the album isn't all doom and gloom, but it is all very pleasant atmosphere creating music that for some reason, helps me focus and relax.

It seems that every instrument has a place on the album, not one note does not contribute to the overall effect produced by the song. Guitar and piano add to the lush sounds but can at points, turn extremely dark. The vocals are completely used as an instrument. The fact that there are no vocals ensures that the listener does not focus on the lyrics alone, he or she must focus on the piece as a whole to achieve its full purpose. This is not music to entertain with, it is music to be taken in a different light. It's evident that the band was not trying to become accessible, so this may be a very difficult album to grasp. The work as a whole is amazingly beautiful, but many can see it as an ambient regression after Aegetis Byrjun. I don't feel this way, it is a moving piece showing darkness and light through music.

The instrumentation and overall sound quality are very good. It certainly gives that transcending atmosphere and though inaccessible, many prog fans can see how well strings, piano, guitar, voice, and drums. The album artwork is an exceptionally beautiful accompanyment to the music. It's devoid of writing, but depicts wonderful landscapes that are as pleasing to the eyes as this album is to the ears.

As far as specific tracks go, it's hard to give specifics for two reasons. The first is that none of the tracks are named. The second is that the album flows so well, it's hard to pick specifics out. However, the most striking example on this album is the final track, referred to on the site as "Popplagio" I do consider this one song to be the quintessential post-rock song, only contested by Godspeed You! Black Emperor's "East Hastings." It has all of the dynamics that a fan of the genre desires, the buildup, the mood, the integration of instruments, and primarily, the beauty. The fourth song, "Njósnavélin" is a highlight for other reasons. It does possess all of the perfect instrumentation and phemoninal atmosphere that make Sigur Ros the great band that they are.

I sincerly do enjoy the album. I only gave it three stars because I feel that it is not developed well enough and that it is not really essential like Aegetis Byrjun and to a lesser entent, Takk... There's a lot of beauty to be found on this disc, but there's a lot of depression to sift through to find it. But once you do, the rewards are endless.