Thats part of a conversation I was in the middle of having about Jonsi and Sigur Ros (of which he is a member).Let me begin with being forthcoming and saying I am a big Sigur Ros fan, Takk... is one of the most incredible albums. Perhaps its that I got that album at a time when it just spoke to me. Its not. Its that it spoke to me at all. So many bands cant seem to do what they do easily and effortless and repeatedly.

Now when a lead singer steps aside and does a solo effort, im usually a bit wary (Billy Corgan im looking in your direction). I usually support them regardless because Im a fan, but often time the solo effort seems awkward and uninspired, probably due to the fact that they dont have the other bandmate to filter out the shit. Like panning for gold lets say ( although that analogy doesnt always work).

Ok...Jonsi. I have been waiting for this album since he started hinting at it months ago. I bought the super deluxe edition of the album which was hand wrapped in cloth. I have all the limited digi-releases. Ive watched all the videos on his site....at least 5 times.

The album, as my girlfriend would describe it, is "twinkley fairy music". I retorted with...so?

Yes, its twinkly and fairy like. But Jonsi is a master of making emotionally potent music and this album is no different. His choice of arrangement and percussion and tones are all EXACTLY what they should be. Simple yet there are so many of them that in this chorus of what sounds like childrens toys you find this emotional tidal wave bearing down upon you before you even realize it. When you listen to this album everything is as it should be, he shouldnt be singing any other notes but there is the openess and freedom about the music. It seems almost obvious...but its so GOOD...its obvious. Each song is a lesson in auditory satisfaction.

While I choose to listen to some bands that make me want to help them finish the song or listen to bands that are just jarring or whatever. I listen to Jonsi because i want to sit there like a child and have someone tell me a story. I want to lie on my stomach with my head in hand and just listen, like a child.

I will confess that everytime i have listened through this album since i recieved my digital copy of the super deluxe edition, i have slowly constructed my own stories for each song. And at times, when my little stories are completed i get a rush. And it feels fucking awesome.

I was going to break this down song by song. But i dont think thats fair to Jonsi. Maybe this album isnt for everyone but if you allow yourself the time, and listen to it when you have an open mind, I hope that you will have the same experience i have had with it.

my review- 8 out of 8 tentacles

I recently introduced myself to Jakob, a band from New Zealand, focusing mostly in the post-rock genre. They write well articulated instrumental pieces and spent time on the road with heavy-weights like Isis.

These days I find that simply tacking post-rock on a band gives them licence to do their very best Explosions in the Sky impression. Im not knocking the bands that do that (Signal Hill im looking at you) because they can do a very good and interested job. Jakob on the other hand has their own flavor entirely. While you could probably sit there and pick apart the different influences they have enlisted to come to this end result, why would you want to?

The album opens with Malachite....which is a stunning song in itself, very "scene forming" for the album as a whole. It sets the mood for the whole experience. What is really nice is that Malachite isnt necessarily the only trick they have up their collective sleeves. As a three piece the band is remarkably efficient and they use all of their band members to the fullest. The drummer is awesome in my opinion, and the bass player should get an award for best supporting actor. The guitarist is a master with his delay pedal and does an absolutely incredible job of creating lush, vibrant and all together  visual sound scapes.

If you are snooty embittered post-rock snob or if you are a post-rock newb, you will without a doubt enjoy this album through and through.

My Review -8 tentacles out of 8

Its frustrating as hell listening to music these days. People clearly just imitate and emulate their favorite bands. They dont allow themselves to be influeced, they merely make shittier carbon copies. I suppose some could tar Biffy Clyro with that brush. I would understand. Honestly.

Theres something nice about them though. I dont feel cheap listening to them. They respect their influences. But onto my review:

This will be regarding "Only Revolutions" their newest effort.

I've had a few days with it and for the most part i like it. I DO NOT like "born on a horse" the song just seems pointless on an album filled with pretty catchy tunes. "Mountains" is by far and away my favorite song on the album. Its a strong anthemic song, catchy, powerful.

My review- 6.5 tentacles out of 8

give them a shot. they are worth your time.

My general review - 6.5 Tentacles out of 8

This brings me to WUBC. I liked it....until the ending sequence.  The story weaved and wandered and created surrealistic situations that didnt depress or seem overly pretentious. Then the last few 150 pages kicked in. The main character began this person that people just talked AT. Pages of useless "ambient" dialog. Then pages of macabre memories that never applied to anything, unlike previous flashbacks then ended up being reflected later on. Its not that i need everything to fit just so, or end with "and they all went to the beach" but i do appreciate some kind of direction, even a vague direction. Art for the sake of Art, fine i can dig that too. But i felt like i was just slogging through it trying to get back to the story that he had started. If the book has STARTED like that i would have just sucked it up. But i had a main character, i had a plot, i had a breadcrumb trail i was following, i had the imagery....then it just...dumped me. Ill be honest. I couldnt finish the book. I stopped caring. Which to me is basically a defeat. I feel like i failed the class. Im just going to page through the ending for some semblance of closure. Do i blame Murakami? no. I can see people loving convoluted introspective ambient story telling. I guess i got tired of wandering in the fog.

It reminded me of Lost, the TV show. I love Lost, great show. Started out strong, went in and out of phase, creating all these thought provoking scenarios, characters etc... but it never left me with a sense of satisfaction. I never got my conclusions, i was so excited about the mystery and looking for the philosphical and metaphorical answers even if the show wouldnt just give them to me outright. i was fine with that. i feel like with WUBC....i got nothing. WORSE...i lost my desire to wonder about it. sad. I still Murakami has some great writing, atypical story telling and visuals...but i guess this time it just got away from me.

I was going to give "After Dark" a shot...but i think im gonna go back to a classic, something familiar yet evolving , something finite i can bite, chew, swallow, regurgitate, digest whatever. Don Quixote here i come.

My score (this is a hard one....i didnt want it to disappoint)

3.5 Tentacles out of 8

sigh....

Ive been kicking ideas around in my head/journal for some time. It will be exciting if they get to somehow see the light of day. Naturally i'll be soundtracking the movie. i guess ill say more when and if it develops.

Currently reading the Wind Up Bird Chronicles. I find Murakami's writing to be a bit strange. I dont really understand the appeal of it, but in a good way,  its always and enjoyable read. He does use this blend of reality and surreality almost the entire time. Its interesting enought to captivate the reader, but ive never wanted to read the book again after im done. Not because I didnt like it but because then first time was enough. Anyway its worth a read or a look if your in the market for something new.

I also love getting to the half way point when reading a book because when you hold it its perfectly balanced.