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On Demand

The Fishko Files

Friday, July 18, 2008
  • (<a herf="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pacovila/12294167/" target="_blank">pacovila</a>/flickr)
    (pacovila/flickr)

    Five Four Time

    A new song by the popular Icelandic group Sigur Ros is notable for having no time signature at all; it’s impossible to count. It has WNYC’s Sara Fishko pondering time, music, and especially the number 5. Here is the next Fishko Files.

    Listen to Stuart Isacoff play "Castle Half and Half" in 5/4:

    Listen to Stuart Isacoff count "Castle Half and Half" while playing it:
    Listen to Jason Vieaux play the 5/4 "Zortzico" by Isaac Albeniz (Copyright 2003 courtesy of Azica Records):
    Listen to the uncountable "Gobbldigook" by Sigur Ros