VALTARI

I honestly came into this album having no doubts I would really like it. I had heard this was a more embient and more beautiful SIGUR ROS and I was really looking forward to it. Even after seeing some not so flattering reviews I was sure I would like this album a lot. Famous last words. I honestly don't get this record at all. I consider myself a fan and have three of their earlier studio albums that I value highly. This unfortunately doesn't come close to past glories. I would not call this beautiful but it is ambinet,

Each song sounds similar too making this review almost seem redundant. "Eg Anda" is quiet and spacy to start and it starts to build some around 2 1/2 minutes. Vocals a minute later. Slow pulsating sounds end it. "Ekki Mukk" is again quiet to start as reserved vocals join in. It's louder after 2 1/2 minutes but the sound will continue to fluctuate. "Varuo" is laid back but not very melodic. Vocals are the focus 1 1/2 minutes in. Piano and background sounds help out each time it settles.

"Rombihnutur" opens with humming sounds as sparse piano joins in. Vocals after 2 1/2 minutes. "Davoalogn" is again soft and quiet to start and the vocals come in around a minute. It builds some then settles back. This contrast continues. It blends into "Varoeldur" where slowly pulsating sounds with piano lead the way. Vocal melodies after 3 1/2 minutes. A very repetitive song but it works. This is the only song that I like. "Valtari" is spacey and if there was a so called beautiful passage this is it. "Fjogur Piano" is really laid back with slowly played piano helping out early.

I just can't recommend this album.