Riceboy Sleeps
by Jonsi & Alex
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Riceboy Sleeps has all the majestic calm of Sigur Ros with none of the dramatic storm, all of the lull and none of the squall.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    80
    Riceboy Sleeps is more like a film, shot exquisitely in various breathtaking spaces, where the plot never moves forward because nothing ever goes wrong.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    This is beautifully fragile music, not disposable but built to last.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    It all combines to make a delicate, sad, little record, but one that ripples with beauty.
  6. Dot Music
    80
    Given that Sigur Ros seem to be going to increasing lengths with each record to seem less abstract and more human, a collection that unbinds itself from those constraints is, it turns out, a justifiable and often awe-inspiring exercise.
  7. musicOMH.com
    90
    Put simply, it's a deeply beautiful record.
  8. The A.V. Club
    75
    Slowly bowed strings mingle with chimes and occasional vocals on highlights 'Indian Summer' and the 'Boy 1904,' but pretty much all of Riceboy Sleeps stands to mesmerize if met in the right acquiescent mood.
  9. cokemachineglow
    74
    It's true that Riceboy Sleeps is no departure from New Age, is in fact a strengthening of at least Birgisson's place at the centre of its indie iterations. But it also takes the formula of another band a lot of people like and bends it just enough to make that formula interesting again.
  10. Lost At Sea
    85
    An hour or so later I finally succumbed to my bed, content. I can only imagine Riceboy does so in kind.
  11. Paste Magazine
    83
    It's more than just the counterpoint to electronic instrumental buzz-bands like Ratatat and Animal Collective; it's 68 minutes of intricate tension-building and release, with a keen eye towards the redemptive powers of contemplation--and nature sounds.
  12. Uncut
    80
    These nine abstract sound paintings strip away the guitars, drums and vocals of Sigur Ros to liberate the avant-classical spirit within. [Aug 2009, p.87]
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  13. PopMatters
    80
    At times introspective, often breathtaking, and at no stage executed in any other way than meticulous perfection, to the patient listener Riceboy Sleeps is a masterpiece of generative ambience.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Ricko
    Feb 2, 2012
    8
    A very interesting ambience collaboration between the Sigure Ros man and his boyfriend Alex Somers. Unlike Jonsi's solo record, this bearsA very interesting ambience collaboration between the Sigure Ros man and his boyfriend Alex Somers. Unlike Jonsi's solo record, this bears little resemblance to the Sigure Ros sound. It's the kind of music you can immerse yourself in if you were meditating or relaxing somewhere. It really takes you away. It doesn't really have any traditional songs but is made up of a series of sprawling tracks. I'd recommend for pre sleep listening or listening to while in the bath - that's not saying it's boring, its saying its a chillax album.… Full Review »
  2. KB-
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    An album full of love passion and peace, i love the production on this one and the risks Jonsi & Alex take in this project, I really can’tAn album full of love passion and peace, i love the production on this one and the risks Jonsi & Alex take in this project, I really can’t write anything more than that, this album has been and still a companion of mine since i was 9 years old.… Full Review »
  3. JeffW.
    Jul 27, 2009
    10
    Great album!
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