Sigur Rós "Ágaetis Byrjun" Fat Cat Records fatcd11 2000 (71:54)
Into (1:36)
Svefn-g-englar (10:04)
Starálfur (6:47)
Flugufrelsarinn (7:47)
Ný batterí (8:11)
Hjartað hamast (bamm bamm bamm) (7:10)
Viðar vel tl loftárasa (10:18)
Olsen Olsen (8:03)
Ágætis byrjun (7:56)
Avalon (4:00)
Sigur Rós are the Icelandic four piece of Jón Þór Birgisson (vocals, guitar), Georg Holm (bass), Kjartan Sveinsson (keyboards) and Orri Páll Dýrason (drums). "Ágaetis Byrjun" is their third album since 1997 and the first to easily be found outside the land of fire and ice via distribution by UK label Fat Cat. Titles and lyrics are a mystery to me due to the language barrier but not a problem as the universal languages of music and beauty clearly communicate everything. The sheer elegance and depth of sound and production belies the fact there are only four people responsible and it's no wonder as to why they've opened shows for Godspeed You Black Emperor! and Radiohead. "Svefn-g-englar" sets the mood with ethereal layers of gentle, fuzzed out guitar and bass groove, bell tones and Birgisson's unique cooing. Have I died and gone to heaven? It sure feels like it. The feeling continues throughout with more slow motion melody soundscapes (and the occasional 'rock' moments) molded from brain bathing textures of acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, strings, electronics, wind instruments, piano, harmonica and found sounds. All the while Birgisson's somewhat feminine voices unobtrusively ride and add to the waves of the music. "Ágaetis Byrjun" is just about everything you could ever hope for from an album attempting to be as genuinely emotive and gorgeous as this succeeds in being. The packaging is also superb as the disc comes in a navy blue and silver foldup card stock pouch with matching insert. Awesome! This will be in my top 10 of 2000. Now to track down the other albums, EPs and singles ...
Sigur Ros
Sigur
Ros at Fat Cat Records
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.