It's a funny and exciting thing, so exciting it leaves you giddy, when an album can command your moods as good as this one can.
To say that it is also epic is selling it short: Sufjan Steven's masterpiece (so far) is fantastic, which happens to likewise be an understatement. If you're familiar with Stevens, you've probably heard that he's been working on dedicating an album to all the states in the United States, which almost makes the albums that come from this project appear as if they are going to be mere means to ends. But whatever preconception you have about this album, be it negative or even positive, should rest happy in the back of your mind as you listen to this record.
These are songs of joy, of religion, sadness, adventure - essentially, if you are feeling down, up, happy, sad, or are just looking for a few good tunes, then Sufjan hits the spot with this one. The strings, the harmonies, the epic songs and the short interludes - they all work so well. Clearly, this is a listen-through-from-beginning-to-end album, but if you must listen to a handful of songs to be truly convinced, then listen to: Decatur, Chicago, Casimir Pulaski Day, and The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts - though they are a billion times better within the flow of the album. The truth is, not everyone will enjoy this record, but then again, not everyone is a fan of good music.
Takk... by Sigur Ros
It is true, Agaetis Byrjun was their breakthrough album, and in many pe
ople's opinion, it was their best album, what with the Untitled album being too morose and quiet at times, and the debut being almost inaccessible.Many will disagree with my choice, but this is the way I look at it: Takk... is an album made by a band that, one day, looked back at the three full length albums they have released and noticed that though their sound become more epic, often beautiful and even dreamy, it never really changed much. Essentially, I feel that they got a bit bothered by that fact and decided to up the ante.
No, this is not a rock/metal or really anything louder in demeanour than what Sigur Ros has released in the past. Most of these aren't pop songs, either. Takk..., is, instead... well, much more alive. You still get the mourning strings and beautiful compositions, but you also get a more epic, much more sound-filled soundscape. You will hear it on tracks such as Hoppipolla, its accompanying Med Blodnasir (spelling?) and Saeglopur, but you will also listen to tracks that are more spaced out, much more dense, and much longer, such as Se Lest (a beautiful track that compares well with what Olsen Olsen did in Agaetis Byrjun) Milano, and Svo Hjlott.
If the last three albums didn't really captivate you the way your indie friends keep saying they will, then I can assure you that Takk... will at least gain your respect. It's an album that does happy and almost turns it into a religious experience for the listener.
Here are the Top 10 in order from best to not best.
10 - Thunder, Lightning Strike - The Go! Team
Every song is incredible, but a lackluster production brings the energy down a bit.
9 - Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
A great summer/early morning album, but it isn't the most complete, or even greatest experience when compared to the rest of the albums on this list (clearly).
8 - Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade
A beautiful, poetic, energetic album that is brought down by some disappointing filler (but what filler isn't disappointing, anyways?)
7 - The Runner's Four - Deerhoof
Deerhoof do things their own way, though, after 20 tracks, any love at first had will most likely dwindle, no matter who you are.
6 - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
Amazing collection of music, though each individual track works better on its own than when listened to the album in full, which dampens the experience much.
5 - Illinois - Sufjan Stevens
Like Pink Floyd's The Wall, the album has a few outstanding tracks, but it gets a bit tedious when you feel like you have to listen to the obvious filler to get the whole experience.
4 - Takk... - Sigur Ros
A beautiful album that will not disappoint anyone, unless you have an insatiable hard-on for their sophomore record and can't get over the fact that the band has to grow to get better.
3 -Now, More than Ever - Jim Guthrie
I wanted to make this number one, as there are no filler tracks in any portion of the record, and it works very well as a listen-through and a single's album. Ultimately, however, there are two bigger albums competing on this list to be number one.
2 -Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
The album upon which all albums should be measured. This is a religious experience from the first track to the last, each song working very well (and often perfectly) as both singles and as a whole. Sadly, no matter how much genius was poured into the album, it works better when listened to on your own, or when the mood is really mellow, otherwise it just doesn't work. Which isn't the same in the case of our #1 album...
1 -Emperor Tomato Ketchup - Stereolab
It's number one because it works well as a listen-through album, both with friends and without; with people who are familiar with the band, and for people who aren't. Though not every song is there for a reason, unlike Dark side, the few missteps (far and few in-between) are forgiven, especially when listened to the album whole. It works well in the background and foreground - if you don't own it yet, get it.
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