Jónsi is probably well known to people as part of the band Sigur Ros but he is also a well established solo artist in his own right. Jónsi released his debut solo album entitled ‘Riceboy Sleeps’ in 2009 and ‘Go’ followed a year later which saw Jónsi embark on a world tour in 2010 playing in Canada, Japan and Luxembourg to name but a few. ‘Go Live’ was recorded on the Belgium leg of the tour in Brussels and helps to encaptivate the live experience that the audience gets when at a Jónsi show.
Jónsi is known for his beautiful falsetto and song writing which comes through with the first track ‘Stars in Still Water’. Lighters in the air ready as Jónsi takes you through his song-writing journey in a mellow and soothing manner as the song gently glides through five minutes of bliss. As simple as it is relaxing, it allows you to just sit back and put all your troubles to one side and let Jónsi focus your minds on the track. It seems like one that would bring any audience member to tears and when you listen to the live version, it would make you feel like you were in the front row experiencing what he has to offer.
‘Hengilas’ follows in a very similar way but don’t be worried if you can’t understand a word, I believe that this is deliberate. Jónsi originates from Iceland so it would make sense for a track to be within his native tongue. ‘Hengilas’ is almost a carbon copy of the previous track with the same, elegant acoustic music that graced the first track so if you were a fan of ‘Stars in Still Water’ then you will more than enjoy the one to follow which essentially is a foreign version of the previous track.
The album flows on in a very similar vein with tracks such as ‘Icicle Sleeves’ and ‘Kolnidur’ which sees a slightly darker side to Jónsi with eerie drums and vocals added to the vocals to give the tracks a darker vibe. These tracks do however see how a live experience at a Jónsi concert would pan out with it being as similar as you can get to lying in a musical hammock on the Caribbean beach.
Another track, ‘Sinking Friendships’ brings a very similar vibe but with a few more bells and ‘Christmas’ elements to it which add an extra niceness to the song, as if the album needed any more! It may be difficult for people to distinguish each track from the next as there is not a distinctive chorus within any of the tracks but the connection is still there nevertheless.
‘Go Do’ is as close as you get to a Jónsi fast paced number with the drums kicking in from time to time and it is also the closest you get to a big chorus. It is still a track with the Jónsi style stamped left, right and centre but with a slight hint of the mainstream mixed in for good measure which carries through to the next tracks ‘Boy Lillikoi’ and ‘Animal Arithmetic’ with a similar drum beat giving a little more pace to the song which has maybe been lacking in the previous tracks.
The album is essentially 12 or 13 tracks that are very similar with a few curveballs thrown in the middle, so if you don’t like the first few tracks, the chances are you may not like what is to follow. I do appreciate that there is a definitive sound that exists throughout the whole album which gives the album identity so whenever you hear a track you can say with confidence, “that is a Jónsi track” with a degree of accuracy.
If you are already a fan of Jónsi or are partial to a bit of indie/ acoustic music then this live album is definitely for you. However, if you are not under those categories then this album may be a bit dreary and dull for you if you don’t appreciate the musicality and ability that Jónsi clearly brings to nearly every track so it isn’t for everyone but I do urge everyone to at least give it a listen and a go. Even if it be bedtime listening or just something to let you unwind after a long hard day, give Jónsi a chance.
Stereoboard Album Rating: 8/10
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
‘Hengilas’ follows in a very similar way but don’t be worried if you can’t understand a word, I believe that this is deliberate. Jónsi originates from Iceland so it would make sense for a track to be within his native tongue. ‘Hengilas’ is almost a carbon copy of the previous track with the same, elegant acoustic music that graced the first track so if you were a fan of ‘Stars in Still Water’ then you will more than enjoy the one to follow which essentially is a foreign version of the previous track.
