Staralfur - Sigur Ros

It's interesting, because until I did a little research for this entry, I had always been told and thought that Sigur Ros sung ALL of their lyrics in a made-up language. Turns out that's only true of their follow up album to ÁGÆTIS BYRJUN, ().

I implore you not to look for translations of songs on this album, though. It doesn't sound nearly as beautiful and haunting as the original Icelandic.

This song just moves me every time I hear it. The slow swell of strings, punctuated by a synthesizer before the singer's lonely voice enters. The best part of listening to a song in an unfamiliar language is interpreting it solely for yourself.

"Staralfur" has always seemed like a sad song of loneliness, yearning and an examination of a universe so much larger than ourselves. As the song reaches the end of it's first refrain, the music fades to a simple guitar, the singer delivers a last word and you almost think it's ended until you still hear the scratching of a record and the music returns with what sounds like fireworks. From here on out, a sense of peace and hope permeates, as if the voice within has come to terms. I fancy someone looking at the night sky on a cool night and returning to bed to find a previously unattainable sleep.

10/365