Ekvilibrium, by Valgeir Sigurdsson (CD on Bedroom Community)

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Valgeir Sigurðsson's sound, his distinctive artistic voice, has been filtering through the cracks of 'mainstream' music for years.
At first, comparisons may not be strikingly obvious between Björk's seminal 'Vespertine' and 'Medulla' albums, the hushed
confessions of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's 'The Letting Go' and the cacophonous nursery rhymes of Cocorosie's 'Adventures of
Ghosthorse and Stillborn', but upon careful listening there is a recognizable sense of craft in the work of Valgeir Sigurðsson
behind the controls; attention to detail, an intensity of focus and a nurturing hand that coaxes introspection and
experimentation to new extremes. On Bedroom Community, Sigurðsson's own label, these ideas are elaborated and extended,
abandoning popular forms entirely to create large scale explorations into interior states of perception, as shown to us by Nico
Muhly's 'Speaks Volumes' and Ben Frost's 'Theory of Machines' - an album which is sure to grace the top of many an end of
year chart. But what to expect from the third Bedroom Community release, where Vageir allows himself enough time to 'go
solo' and create a private world of his own? How will a producer and engineer renowned for bringing out the best in artists
bring out the best in himself?
'Ekvílibríum' is Sigurðsson's first solo album, and includes vocal performances from Bonnie 'Price' Billy, who helps craft one of
the highlights of the album, 'Kin', where rivers of strings flow around playful music boxes and prepared piano, as well as
contributions from Faun Fables' Dawn McCarthy and J. Walker aka Machine Translations. It's an album that blends genres so
effortlessly and gracefully that the word 'genre' itself becomes obsolete, mixing all the vital elements like a bricklayer mixes
concrete; at first just basic ingredients and particles of dust, but with careful blending and a watchful eye they form an
unbreakable bond and an unstoppable force. Despite the solidity of Sigurðsson's ideas, there is also a fluidity between the
tracks, and even within them. The theme of water trickles through the album, with direct references in titles such as 'Evolution
of Waters' to the general aesthetic feel of the album; from the dripping percussion of 'Equilibrium is Restored' to the tidal
waves of strings engulfing the listener on the effervescent 'Before Nine'. With 'Ekvílibríum', Valgeir Sigurðsson has shown that
as well as being a gifted producer, engineer and musician, he is also equally as talented as a crafter of songs and instigator of
a cascade of emotions. Fans of everything from Björk to Brian Eno to Telefon Tel Aviv will finds themselves falling in love with
the album's lucidity, its beauty and its emotional impact. Having worked on many era-defining releases of the past, Sigurðsson
has now created one of his own.
Track listing: 1) A Symmetry 2) Evolution of Waters 3) Focal Point 4) Baby Architect 5) After Four 6) Winter Sleep 7)
Equilibrium is Restored 8) Before Nine 9) Kin 10) Lungs, For Merrilee.

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