Jónsi - Go Live Review

Go Live

Jónsi

Release Date: 29th Nov, 2010
Label: EMI
Genre: Indie
Purchase on Amazon

A release exclusive to the artist’s own website – you won’t find this in any two-for-a-tenner racks – Go Live is just that: Jónsi’s Go album of earlier this year, live. A CD and DVD set, it features recordings from a show at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels alongside three numbers from Brighton’s Dome. Though these sets were recorded at very different stages of the album’s tour cycle – May and September 2010, respectively – everything is sequenced so well that no gaps are heard. It’s natural to assume this is a single performance.

One’s appreciation of the material (obviously) depends on their affection for the Sigur Rós vocalist’s debut solo LP – all nine tracks make the transfer, albeit not in the same sequence as the studio version. Inevitably, it’s the single Go Do that most noticeably stirs the Belgian audience; elsewhere, there’s a stillness and calm from the crowd – it’s more a case of hearing a feather fall, rather than any pins drop. Some of the magic heard on Go is lost through the live performance – the warm textures that can only come through post-production and the right mixing – but anyone who doubted Jónsi’s ability to carry a concert without the backing of his Sigur Rós bandmates is made to look very silly indeed. His vocals soar throughout, effortlessly and with a singular otherworldly elegance.

Of interest to those particularly taken with Go will be the five previously unreleased tracks included in the 14-song set. Volume Pedal Song and New Piano Song are, as their titles imply, primarily sketches, and are exclusive to the DVD. But the droning Icicle Sleeves, rousing opener Still Stars in Water and quietly charmer Saint Naïve slip easily beside familiar numbers. Also included is the hyperactive Sticks and Stones, the CD’s penultimate offering heard over the closing credits of surprise hit movie How to Train Your Dragon. After that, a wonderful rendering of Grow Til Tall, which ends with unexpected turbulence and bombast.

The DVD set isn’t the same as what’s heard on CD – instead, it’s the final dress rehearsal for the tour, filmed back in March 2010. As such, there’s a rather more studied, almost cautious pattern to the playing; but it still complements the audio side of this set really rather well. A hardback sleeve with plenty of on-the-road snaps completes what is, for fans and newcomers alike, a very attractive package.

Reviewed by Mike Diver

About The Artist

Jónsi

Jónsi is a pseudonym of, at least, two Icelandic artists: 1) Jón Þór Birgisson is the lead singer and guitarist for Sigur Rós and half of Jónsi & Alex, known for his soft falsetto voice . He released his solo debut album, Go, on April 6, 2010. Birgisson grew up in Iceland, raised by parents who weren't particularly musical; his early memories include playing The Beatles at double speed on his turntable and listening to and playing along with Iron Maiden records. You can hear him speak at length about his musical past and loves in a recent episode of "All Songs Considered," in which Birgisson plays guest DJ. His history as Sigur Ros' singer and guitarist spans 16 years, during which time the band has released five studio albums and coined a unique sound that has yet to be matched by any act since. 2) Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson (b. 1 Jun '77), is a singer & member of Í Svörtum Fötum ("In black clothing"). He was Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest 2004 representative, finishing 19th. He has also competed at Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2007, which is a television show to pick Iceland's song for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Segðu Mér.

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1 Comments

  1. Aeterna_ 27 Dec 2010

    Un-fucking-believable. Top-notch release!

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