Animal Arithmetic
Encyclopedia
"Animal Arithmetic" is a song by the Icelandic singer Jónsi
, the lead singer of Sigur Rós
. "Animal Arithmetic" was released on 24 May 2010 as the second single from Jónsi's debut solo album, Go
. The song features lyrics in both English and Icelandic.
reviewer, described "Animal Arithmetic" as a "joyful percussive stomp," while Tim Sendra of allmusic wrote that the song sounds "like the bubbling soundtrack to an awesome training montage in a film where pixies are training to battle fairies". Under the Radar
and Delusions of Adequacy praised the track's "rapid-fire list of daily rituals highlight[ing] near ecclesiastical bliss in the mundane," while the latter also noted its "percussion that sounds like it was culled from a kitchen pantry." Paste Magazine
's review noted that the track "this will probably be the track on the record that sends most listeners scrambling for the skip button" but nevertheless praised its playfulness and "clattering along at 120 mph with cymbals crashing." PopMatters
stated that "Animal Arithmetic" is "one of the pair's [Jónsi's and Nico Muhly's] most impressive feats" and also that it "is a master study in balancing structure and chaos." Meanwhile, BBC Music
were much less impressed with the song, stating that while being "perfectly agreeable," it "unexpectedly [gets] hijacked by a cacophonous onslaught of instruments."
All music and lyrics written by Jónsi.
Jón Þór Birgisson
Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson is the guitarist and vocalist for the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. He is known for his use of a cello bow on guitar and his falsetto voice. He is also blind in his right eye and is openly gay. His boyfriend Alex Somers has done much of the graphic design for...
, the lead singer of Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
. "Animal Arithmetic" was released on 24 May 2010 as the second single from Jónsi's debut solo album, Go
Go (Jónsi album)
Go is the debut studio album by Icelandic musician Jónsi, frontman of the band Sigur Rós. The album was released on April 5, 2010, through XL Recordings, as reported by a downloadable track from the official site...
. The song features lyrics in both English and Icelandic.
Reception
The overall critical reception of the track was warm. Sam Shepherd, musicOMHMusicOMH
musicOMH is a United Kingdom-based website which publishes independent reviews, featues and interviews from across all musical genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.-History:...
reviewer, described "Animal Arithmetic" as a "joyful percussive stomp," while Tim Sendra of allmusic wrote that the song sounds "like the bubbling soundtrack to an awesome training montage in a film where pixies are training to battle fairies". Under the Radar
Under the Radar (magazine)
Under the Radar is an American magazine that bills itself as "The solution to music pollution" and features interviews with accompanying photo-shoots. Each issue includes opinion and commentary of the Indie music scene as well as reviews on books, DVDs and albums.Items are reviewed based on a...
and Delusions of Adequacy praised the track's "rapid-fire list of daily rituals highlight[ing] near ecclesiastical bliss in the mundane," while the latter also noted its "percussion that sounds like it was culled from a kitchen pantry." Paste Magazine
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
's review noted that the track "this will probably be the track on the record that sends most listeners scrambling for the skip button" but nevertheless praised its playfulness and "clattering along at 120 mph with cymbals crashing." PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
stated that "Animal Arithmetic" is "one of the pair's [Jónsi's and Nico Muhly's] most impressive feats" and also that it "is a master study in balancing structure and chaos." Meanwhile, BBC Music
BBC Music
BBC Music is a team working in the department of Audio and Music Interactive at the BBC. Responsible for the BBC Music website - the portal site to music content across the BBC website....
were much less impressed with the song, stating that while being "perfectly agreeable," it "unexpectedly [gets] hijacked by a cacophonous onslaught of instruments."
Track listing
Promotional CD singleAll music and lyrics written by Jónsi.
- "Animal Arithmetic" (radio mix) – 3:19
- "Animal Arithmetic" (album version) – 3:23
- "Animal Arithmetic" (instrumental) – 3:21