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Product Description
Review
In 2006 Sigur Rós frontman Jón Thór (Jónsi) Birgisson and his partner Alex Somers released a picture book, Riceboy Sleeps. Earlier this year the duo's track Happiness provided one of the standout moments on AIDS-awareness compilation Dark Was The Night, and the same track opens this, the duo's debut album. That 2006 book, like much of Sigur Rós's own artwork, was a thing of particular beauty, and so is this.
Riceboy Sleeps is primarily instrumental, working at a level of minimalism that approaches the glacial velocity of drones. The tracks were recorded using acoustic instruments - the beautifully rich string playing of regular Sigur Rós collaborators Amiina is woven throughout - before being digitally remixed and manipulated (at a raw food commune in Hawaii, dietary zealots might be gratified to learn). Those hoping to hear Jónsi's distinctive vocals here might be disappointed: their only appearance is deep in the mix during the moving climax to Indian Summer.
In terms of atmosphere, this album is first cousin to the most dreamlike sections of Sigur Rós' back catalogue. As with much of the that band's string parts, the music shares a mournful beauty with certain works of modern orchestral composers such as Arvo Pärt, Gavin Bryars and Henryk Górecki, or the ambient experiments of Brian Eno. Given these touchstones it's unsurprising that this album should, at times, be so remarkably reminiscent of post-rock duo Stars of the Lid.
Riceboy Sleeps operates at a heady level of beauty. The string and piano playing is emotionally stirring to begin with, attaining the same achingly mournful emotional register as familiar heartstring molesters like Barber's Adagio for Strings or the second movement of Schubert's String Quintet in C Major. It's the laptop post-production, however, that succeeds in augmenting the music's effect to sometimes sublime levels. Piano keystrokes hang and shimmer in space, creaks and rattles provoke an odd sense of weightlessness, and the semi-synthesised, heavily reverberated choir parts on Boy 1904 and the extraordinary Daniell In The Sea become labyrinths of sound you never want to gain egress from. --Chris Power
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a very impressive piece of ambient Icelandic acoustic music. Very ethereal and the strings and occasional wordless choral vocals give it a "church like" feeling. Similar in mood to Eno's "Thursday Afternoon" but wider ranging in its textures. It also reminded me in parts of their fellow Icelanders múm, and naturally of some of the quieter passages of Sigur Ros's music without sounding directly like them. Easily the best thing I've heard so far in 2009 and it reveals new qualities with each playing. Quite beautiful
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well Jonsi certainly isn't going for "The X Factor" crowd with this is he? Well, not unless "The X Factor" "talent" happen to be other-worldly transcendentally inclined composers attempting to paint enchanting, fragile and beautiful sonic landscapes of the subconscious with violins, choirs and acoustic compositions. Can't see Cowell going for that myself though.
It's difficult to describe such music. I can pull out choice adjectives for you: mystical, sublime, ethereal, heart-stopping, blissful, melancholic. I can describe it as Classical, because I think it is.
I can also give you musical reference points. For me it's as deep and spiritual - yes, spiritual (no sniggering at the back!) as say, Indian classical music. Great music has a real timeless resonance to it - it can last centuries, and deserves to. "Riceboy Sleeps" may not sell, but it will last. Great art does, mostly. But I'm still alive, and you are to, and we can enjoy this right here right now. And it's a privilege.
With the string arrangements, I get, inparticular, Spiritualized's "Broken Heart" (one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, off the "Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space" album. Which I also whole-heartedly recommend to you.)
I get a little bit of Eno in some of the ambient arrangements, and one track reminds me of the opening one on "Von" - Sigur Ros' first album. But, honestly, references apart, this is just a stand-out and original piece of work that deserves to be judged, enjoyed and listened to for itself.
It's sometimes difficult to describe something that is beyond words anyway.
Yes, some tracks are more memorable than others, but as an album, the whole journey justifies the sum of its parts.
And it utterly challenges the lie, especially propounded by all those reactionary beer-gutted, dad-rock Clarkson philistines: "..all the great music has been made already..they don't know how to be original anymore..there's nothing left to sing about..". Go away, watch "Top Gear" and shut up.
No. there are alchemists still out there. Take heart in that. There are composers who still care about their "art".
Composers who allow their music to do the talking. Musicians who show, don't tell.
This album is for people who have faith: faith in believing that life can have a spiritual component, and music can help you reach down inside yourself to discover, watch and feel your soul stir within you. Try it. It is definitely an album that can be listened to on your own. It is meditative music , and definitely music to meditate to. I'm definitely going to listen to this while commuting. Such majestic and calming music would be perfect for..drifting. Immerse yourself.
So, yes, I can recommend the album to you. Whole-heartedly. No idea what Simon or Cheryl would think though!
It's difficult to describe such music. I can pull out choice adjectives for you: mystical, sublime, ethereal, heart-stopping, blissful, melancholic. I can describe it as Classical, because I think it is.
I can also give you musical reference points. For me it's as deep and spiritual - yes, spiritual (no sniggering at the back!) as say, Indian classical music. Great music has a real timeless resonance to it - it can last centuries, and deserves to. "Riceboy Sleeps" may not sell, but it will last. Great art does, mostly. But I'm still alive, and you are to, and we can enjoy this right here right now. And it's a privilege.
With the string arrangements, I get, inparticular, Spiritualized's "Broken Heart" (one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, off the "Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space" album. Which I also whole-heartedly recommend to you.)
I get a little bit of Eno in some of the ambient arrangements, and one track reminds me of the opening one on "Von" - Sigur Ros' first album. But, honestly, references apart, this is just a stand-out and original piece of work that deserves to be judged, enjoyed and listened to for itself.
It's sometimes difficult to describe something that is beyond words anyway.
Yes, some tracks are more memorable than others, but as an album, the whole journey justifies the sum of its parts.
And it utterly challenges the lie, especially propounded by all those reactionary beer-gutted, dad-rock Clarkson philistines: "..all the great music has been made already..they don't know how to be original anymore..there's nothing left to sing about..". Go away, watch "Top Gear" and shut up.
No. there are alchemists still out there. Take heart in that. There are composers who still care about their "art".
Composers who allow their music to do the talking. Musicians who show, don't tell.
This album is for people who have faith: faith in believing that life can have a spiritual component, and music can help you reach down inside yourself to discover, watch and feel your soul stir within you. Try it. It is definitely an album that can be listened to on your own. It is meditative music , and definitely music to meditate to. I'm definitely going to listen to this while commuting. Such majestic and calming music would be perfect for..drifting. Immerse yourself.
So, yes, I can recommend the album to you. Whole-heartedly. No idea what Simon or Cheryl would think though!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'd imagine most people who purchase this album will be Sigur Ros fans and many reviews have tried to draw comparisons between the two groups. I, however, think it stands up in its own right and is distinctive enough to leave an impression.
Out of curiosity I'd watched the video to "Daniell in the Sea" on youtube and was immediately impressed by its otherworldly atmosphere and beautiful choral arrangement. Wondering whether this was a typical example of Riceboy Sleeps I then listened to a couple more tracks and realised that the rest of their music was equally haunting.
When trying to describe the sound I keep thinking of an orchestra playing underwater as daft as that sounds. The instrumentation is uncertain although strings can be heard drifting in and out of focus as well a number of intriguing samples. Occasionally I'm reminded of the quieter moments of Sigur Ros but most of the time I'm immersed in the overall atmosphere of the music.
For me the best tracks are those that utilise voices such as "Boy 1904" and the aforementioned "Daniell in the Sea". Jonsi's unique voice is only noticeable on one track and even then it's used more as a texture rather than a lead melody.
A couple of tracks don't particularly stand out or go anywhere but taken as a whole it's a beautiful and haunting record. Play it late at night and it works perfectly.
Out of curiosity I'd watched the video to "Daniell in the Sea" on youtube and was immediately impressed by its otherworldly atmosphere and beautiful choral arrangement. Wondering whether this was a typical example of Riceboy Sleeps I then listened to a couple more tracks and realised that the rest of their music was equally haunting.
When trying to describe the sound I keep thinking of an orchestra playing underwater as daft as that sounds. The instrumentation is uncertain although strings can be heard drifting in and out of focus as well a number of intriguing samples. Occasionally I'm reminded of the quieter moments of Sigur Ros but most of the time I'm immersed in the overall atmosphere of the music.
For me the best tracks are those that utilise voices such as "Boy 1904" and the aforementioned "Daniell in the Sea". Jonsi's unique voice is only noticeable on one track and even then it's used more as a texture rather than a lead melody.
A couple of tracks don't particularly stand out or go anywhere but taken as a whole it's a beautiful and haunting record. Play it late at night and it works perfectly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
jonsi & alex
Jonsi & alex create a truly other worldly ambiant album use only accoustic intsruments , creating a natuallistic feel to the record , it's more down to earth then any sigur ros... Read more
Published 4 months ago by fall341
riceboy sleeps
Although clearly influenced by Hammock(for whom Riceboy did the art-work), Jonsi and Alex have developed this genre into something more complex and interesting. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Philip Herring
Wow!.. Truly a hunting CD
After having heard bits of this CD I felt compelled to buy it. Wow I am so pleased I did. It is truly beautiful. Read more
Published 16 months ago by sweetfeet
A very lovely thing
I will start by saying I love Sigur Ros - if you dislike them intensely then you will most likely feel the same about this. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Rowan
best music album in 2009
what can you say thought evoking music that demands respect once you bond it will take you on an original never heard before journey of breathtaking propotions this music breathes... Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by P. M. Kielty
flying
This has to be the best cd to fall asleep to on a plane. I found it on a BA flight quite by accident under the wellness audio. I slept for 6 hours both ways. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by V. Martin
Beautiful
This is one of the most beautiful album I've ever heard... The music takes you away and gives a quiet atmosphere to whatever place you are. Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2010 by Darkside
sublime
I read this somewhere and thought this perfectly summed up what the music sounds like. "The music emerges as if from inside a mountain, where maidens sing to a sleeping boy amid... Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2009 by Mr. Iain R. Graham
best electronic album iv ever heard
nothing like it. wandering around in the mountains with this on your headphones blows your mind. I still cant believe how chilled and organic it is. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by T. M. Jones
Get Lost In An Imaginary World
A few years ago, the Buddha FM3 Machine was all the rage. A handy red box that played twelve, random, mostly atonal and formless drone sound pieces that resembled songs in the... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by Mr. M. A. Reed
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