ALTROK Ordinals 6

[Editor's Note: Okay, it was a pretty weak week for new releases in alternative rock, so this week, we bring you alternatives to alternative rock.]

Sigur Rós - Agaetis Byrjun (Pias [Belgium])
Jeff Says: Icelandic band. Nothing but praise from everyone that's heard or seen them for the last year or so. Funny thing is, this record is SO bizarre. There's (I believe) one track under 7 minutes on it. Lush, ornate, orchestral, emotional, ambient, interesting stuff. Completely in Icelandic. I have no idea how to pronounce tha album title or the songs, nor do I have any idea what the heck they're singing so beautifully about.

Buffalo Springfield - Box Set (Rhino)
Rich Says: Very rarely does the sum of the parts equal the whole, but think of all the truly classic, truly American music that grew from the seeds of this band: CSN&Y, Crazy Horse, Manassas, Poco, Loggins & Messina and various Richie Furay solo projects. Anyone who considers the Beach Boys "The American Band", never really heard much of the Buffalo Springfield (granted Neil Young was from Canada, but that's being a bit of a nit-picker, now isn't it). This 3 cd set/tribute is long over due, and if you look closely, there is a space in your collection that this set needs to fill.

Jimmy Scott - Over The Rainbow (Milestone)
Sean Says: Jimmy Scott's voice is like a forlorn wind blowing through drying cattails, albeit ones with perfect pitch. His rendition of "Strange Fruit" will give you chills, which is precisely what that song sets out to do. (As a clue to his age, consider that "Strange Fruit" was brought to prominence by Billie Holliday, who was a fan of Jimmy's. Chew on that, Michael Stipe.) Other tracks are alternately wistful and melancholy, but his quivering falsetto is backed with confidence, and manages the trick of sounding inviting even as it is mournful. Forget about nouveau lounge or space-age bachelor pad music; this is what you should be mixing martinis to.

(This week's Ordinals courtesy Rich Robinson, Jeff Raspe and Sean Carolan.)