TAKK...

Sigur Ros were quite interesting to listen to when I first heard (); quiet, melancholic until the dynamics changed a bit in the second half. My second try with the group is just as interesting as I went along with TAKK... more so than () on the first spin, but TAKK... still takes a few sit-down listens before one ''gets it''. Post-rock is probably the most finnicky genre I've run across simply because you really have to have the right mindset when you listen and failure to do so will make the album rub you the wrong way.

There are eleven tracks in total, but I almost feel that there should be just seven. For example, Track 4 sounds like an extension of ''Hoppipolla''. The middle three tracks I feel are the strongest, particular the climb/descend feel of ''Milano''; it can be an absolutely riveting experience being swept away by the dynamic changes. ''Se lest'' has a far more playful feel complete with a brass band tooting along. The keyboards are pretty rich in spots, the guitars are beautifully subdued and the drumming (the band's strong point) rarely fails to impress. There also seems to be a whole album feel as opposed to track-by-track structure with somewhat of a bookending feel (first and last tracks sound quite similar).

Tracks like ''Gong'' have almost an indie feel to them with the standard rock pattern with slight over-production, but that particular one segues into a more beautiful ''Andvari''. There is this inner beauty to TAKK... that stands out as one of the better albums of the post-rock genre that I've heard, and the strange inter-connected-ness and Jonsi's near angelic vocals only add to the appeal. If you have any interest in post-rock, sit back and let the music flow.