Skip to content
Reviews

Sigur Ros, ‘Inni’ (XL)

As Iceland’s premier atmospheric rockers, Sigur Rós understand delayed gratification, and Inni — a double live album (plus live DVD) — is a master class in geologically paced, ethereally pretty buildups. Capturing all but one song of a November 2008 London set, it’s also an exercise in downturn-era austerity: no strings or brass, just the classic four-piece lineup. Still, with xylophone, piano, and even piccolo to complement frontman Jonsi’s bowed guitar and angelic vocals, the songs, drawn from each of the band’s albums, soar. After three-plus years without fresh Sigur Rós material, though, the real treat is the contemplatively buzzing, ambient finale “Lúppulagid” — an honest-to-goodness new song.