SIGUR RÓS at Massey Hall (178 Victoria), Wednesday (September 19), $29.50. 416-872-4255.
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Sigur Rós’s stuffed Palais Royale gig in May was as remarkable for what the Icelandic group didn’t play as for what they did.
Despite being on tour in support of their epic, wildly received Agõtus Byrjun disc, the group played virtually nothing from the album, instead debuting a handful of anonymous new tracks and performing a few songs with traditional Icelandic chanter Steindor Andersen. How this bold move went down with Universal Records, which beat out dozens of competing labels for the band’s signature, isn’t clear, but execs and fans hoping to hear “hits” like Svefn-G-Englar this time around shouldn’t get their hopes up.
Sigur Rós have spent much of the time between their spring tour and now recording their third album in a studio built out of an old swimming pool. Information about the as yet untitled album is scarce apart from word that the disc is set for release in early 2002.
In the meantime, fans can plug the gap with Sigur Rós’s contribution to the soundtrack for the Icelandic film Angels Of The Universe (Krunk). The group contributes two epic tunes to the soundtrack, including the cheerily titled Death Announcements And Funerals, a song built around the music played on Icelandic state radio when the death notices are read out.
