Released in 2002, ( ), the third album from Sigur Ros, was a game changer for both the band, their fans, and music lovers all over the world. Ethereal and haunting from start to finish and sung by frontman Jonsi Birgisson in a made up language akin to angelic mumblings, ( ) is a profound album that’s as visceral and challenging today as it was then. Enter composer and UB PhD student Ethan Hayden and his new book for Bloomsbury Press about ( ), which has it’s local launch tonight at Talking Leaves on Main Street and features a performance of songs from ( ) from local favorites Wooden Cities.
Part of Bloomsbury’s rather acclaimed 33 1/3 series of books about popular music albums ranging from Dusty Springfield to Pink Floyd to The Beastie Boys, Hayden’s book about ( ) is actually a fairly big deal, and not just for local Sigur Ros fans, of which there are more than a few. Tonight’s event at the Main Street location of Talking Leaves starts at 7 PM and will feature a short reading by the author followed by Wooden Cities.