Amazon.co.uk Review: Reykjavík-based noise quartet Sigur Ros are the biggest band in their native Iceland, which should say much, much more about the collective insanity of that earthquake-ridden, blizzard-beaten crag of an island than anything to do with Sigur Ros' sound. But in their music, Sigur Ros reflect all the breathtaking glory of the Icelandic wastes--a fairy-tale explosion of unhinged elemental majesty that's finally crystalised here, their debut European release. Poised somewhere between the haunting soundscapes of Labradford and the lilting Celtic falsetto of Enya, Agaetis Byrjun is a truly breathtaking listen. Frontman Jon Por Birgisson sings in a language that Sigur Ros dub Hopelandic--an otherworldly mutation of Icelandic, sung in the falsetto cadence of angels; similarly, he plays his guitar with a violin bow, opening the floodgates for brilliant waves of feedback. And while it's the opening "Svefn-G-Englar" that's Sigur Ros' defining moment to date, there's far more that Agaetis Byrjun has to offer; the pomp and flourish of a full orchestra on "Flugufrelsarinn", or the awe-inspiring near-religious mantra of "Ny Batteri". --Louis Pattison
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - spectacular
absolutely breathtaking one of the best albums ever made! emotive, challenging, ethereal, powerful and glowing, gleaming glistening with beauty. an album of revelatiion that penetrates the soul, fascinates the brain and sends electric pulses through your body so overwhelming you'll probably be reduced to tears! in short buy it, it'll probably be one of the best decisions you ever make one the best albums in the world made by one the best bands in the world sigur ros = god!!!!
Rating: - Not sure if I completely get this music?!
I must admit that I don't know if I completely understand this music (yet?). It's kind of like new age Pink Floyd with an Icelandic twist. The reason I say that is because it has such a broad expanse of sound which I do like. I must admit the middle of the album is really worth buying it for - there is such a lot going on it's awesome. However on the down side I feel that some of the tracks are a bit long and seem to have these very strange endings where a load of odd unrelated sounds seem to be ... Read More
Rating: - Genius
Id never heard of this 4 piece band until recently and have since purchased 3 of there albums its so unique
Rating: - Human music beamed in from a distant galaxy
Hearing Sigur Ros for the first time , as most of us did when hearing Agaetis byrjun, is akin, i imagine , to not just hearing music beamed down from another planet but hearing music beamed across from the far side of a far distant galaxy. The sort of thing Star Trek "Voyager" might have heard on their sojourn through the delta quadrant.( the cover , featuring a ballpoint pen drawing by a friend of the band further ratifies the music's alien ambience) The nearest comparison, and i realise that i ... Read More
Rating: - ethereal and dreamy...
After debut album Von appeared domestically, this one was expected to be Sigur Ros' global take over and yes... it was; definitely a perfectly crafted piece, it placed the boys as best current artsy band. Close your eyes and loose yourself over it... pictures of Iceland will come to your head, sometimes as sweet as a lullaby (Svefn-g-englar), sometimes playfully explosive (Olsen-Olsen); a soundtrack for heaven?... I hope so, it would be great to ascend heavens with a score like this... If you are ... Read More
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