BA BA TI KI DI DO

This excellent 20 minute EP is one of the more intriguing releases from a singularly enigmatic band. This is a total one off, and stands completely apart from the remarkable sequence of albums that started with Agaetis Byrjun. It was originally written to accompany a dance piece (see Verisimilitude's review for details) but unlike some soundtrack work it also stands up well as a piece of music in its own right.

Where Sigur Ros's album releases conjure up images of the vast, almost lunar landscapes of their native Iceland, this ep has more in common with the claustrophobic electronica explored by Radiohead on Kid A/Amnesiac, particularly on the closing track which pits a child's music box ( a recurring theme throughout) against some increasingly discordant sounds. The sound is mostly quite dreamy and minimal, and the decision to leave it as a 20 minute ep rather than turn it into an album was probably for the best - if it went for much longer it would become extremely dreary.

The 3 star rating is not so much for the music itself (which is easily worth 4 stars) but because this is non essential unless you're a fan. Newcomers would be better advised going straight for one of their albums, and some fans of their main output may find it oddly out of step. Post rock fans will love it, as will any fans of adventurous and experimental music.