Sigur Ros — Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

Sigur Ros are obviously no strangers to experimentation and have been playing with different types of instrumentation since their 1997 Von debut. Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (which is Icelandic for "With a buzz in our ears, we play endlessly") integrates a few newfound acoustic elements to the band's trademark atmospheric, soaring post-rock sound. There's a more jammy, Animal Collective feel to opener "Goobledigook," but from there Med Sud moves into the gorgeous "Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur," a track that could easily have fit on 2006's Takk… Then there's "Vid Spilum Endalaust," with Jonsi Birgisson's beautiful falsetto and "Hoppipola"-ish horns.

But things go awry when you hit the halfway point and the quiet, nearly nine-minute, piano-filled "Ara Batur." Sure, Sigur Ros are known for taking their time to make a point, but here it's ineffective and the track ends up being weak. By the time it explodes into a wash of strings and guitars, you're bored. It doesn't get any better on the acoustic guitar-laden "Illgresi," either, which mostly sounds uninspired. While Med Sud has its moments, for the most part it's a disappointment. Given how fantastic most of Sigur Ros' back catalogue is, it could have been much better.