I can't decide which is the more perfect song: Katell Keineg's There You Go or Sigur Ros' Svefn-G-Englar.

I saw Katell at the Mercury Lounge here in NYC last night, and she played There You Go. Her voice is shockingly powerful and emotive: she squeaks, roars, whispers, and cries (sometimes all in the same song). A reviewer at Salon.com described There You Go as the most emotionally devastating song he's ever heard, and I agree. Most days.

But then there's Sigur Ros. They sing in a mix of Icelandic and Hopelandic (a made-up language), but no matter. The set-up is simple: a few guitars (one played with a violin bow), a bass, two keyboards, drums, and a guy whose voice will make you weep. Trust me. Here's a [unofficial] english translation to part of Svefn-G-Englar:

but the waiting makes me sad - fragile
I kick away and call for --I have to go-- help
I burst out and the peace is over
bathed in new light
I cry and I cry...

Which songs make you weep?